Applying for college or graduate school can be one of the most stressful times in your life. The pressure of getting accepted into a good school can be overwhelming, and the process of applying itself can be incredibly time-consuming. But no worries, College Aid Consulting Services is here to offer you some tried-and-true tips for reducing stress during the application process. So, take a deep breath, and let’s dive in!

Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

It’s important to set realistic goals and expectations for each college or graduate school you’re applying to. You don’t want to apply to a school that is too competitive or too expensive for you. At the same time, you don’t want to sell yourself short by applying to schools that are below your abilities. Take the time to research each school and make an informed decision.

Use Online Resources to Research Colleges

Thanks to the power of the internet, researching colleges and graduate schools has never been easier. You can use online resources like the school’s website, forums, and review sites to get an idea of what each school is like. This can help you narrow down your list of schools and make your application process less stressful.

Your options will also change depending on your reasons for applying, so factor your long-term goals into your decision. For instance, many people who choose to go back to school to advance their career opt for online programs because they work around their current work schedules.

Look into Funding Options

When it comes to financing a college education, several funding options are available for students. One of the most common forms of financial aid is grants, typically awarded based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. Another option is scholarships, which are based on merit and may also have specific eligibility requirements such as a particular major or extracurricular involvement.

Additionally, federal student loans can be a helpful resource for many students, offering low-interest rates and flexible repayment options. With careful research and planning, students can secure the funding they need to pursue their educational goals without breaking the bank. College Aid Consulting Services can help you to navigate your options and find the right funding for your situation.

Convert Your Application Materials to Editable PDFs

The process of converting application materials for college admissions offices couldn’t be simpler. With the click of a button, you can easily convert your documents to PDFs and ensure the recipient can open them without hassle. Once they’re digitized, you’ll have all the resources you need to make sure your applications are filled out quickly and efficiently.

Consider Extra Activities or Certifications

If you want to stand out from the crowd, you might consider adding extra activities or certifications to your application. This can include volunteering, working part-time, or participating in a student organization. These activities show that you’re well-rounded and can help to enhance your application.

Manage Your Stress and Eat Healthy

One of the best ways to reduce stress during the application process is to take care of yourself. Make sure that you’re eating healthy foods and managing your stress. Plan to incorporate some physical activity into your routine, like walking around your neighborhood, and take breaks when you need them. All of these things will help you stay calm and focused during the application process.

Be careful not to rely too heavily on caffeine to keep your energy up. Having too much caffeine can dehydrate you, make you feel jittery, and keep you up at night. Look into the caffeine content of your favorite coffee beverages so you can moderate your consumption.

Keep Your Home Clean and Organized

Keeping your home clean and organized can go a long way in reducing stress. When you have a clean and organized living space, you have less to worry about and feel more in control. Set aside some time each day to tidy up your home and maintain a peaceful environment.

Ensure You’re Fully Prepared for Standardized Testing

Ready to conquer those standardized tests and leave stress behind? Don’t leave your preparation to chance! There are plenty of resources available to help you succeed. The internet is chock-full of practice exams, sample questions, and tips from seasoned test-takers. Whether you prefer videos or written guides, there’s something out there for every learning style. And if you’re really serious about acing your tests, it may be worth looking into a test prep course to fully equip yourself with all the knowledge you need to excel. With these tools in hand, you’ll be well on your way to crushing those standardized tests.

Prepare for a Successful Application Process

Applying for college or graduate school should be an exciting time in your life, not a stressful one. By following these tips, you can keep your stress low and make the application process more manageable. Remember to set realistic goals, use online resources, consider extra activities or certifications, manage your stress, keep your home clean, and ensure you’re fully prepared for standardized testing.

Note: Thank you to Patricia Hill from Educator Tools for contributing. Visit their website to find time-saving resources to help you make learning more engaging, effective, and fun. Search for learning materials and educational tools that incorporate pedagogical best practices with the latest digital technologies for a truly blended approach to learning. educatortools.info

Recently I was interviewed by Kathryn Clowes with March Consulting for The Ultimate Guide to College 2021 Virtual Summit. The interview will be part of a 7-day summit that the team at March Consulting has just pulled together that will include 16 college and career experts.

The Ultimate Guide to College virtual summit focuses on helping students and parents understand the current college landscape.

I highly encourage you to sign in and participate in The Ultimate Guide to College Virtual Summit.

It is FREE OF CHARGE, (all you have to do is register here: https://www.theultimateguidetocollege.com/

Daily interviews with leading experts will focus on topics such as:

• College Admissions
• STEM
• Testing
• Performing Arts
• Athletics
• Career Development
• Financial Aid
• COVID-19 Updates

This event is going to be delivered directly to your inbox each day, starting on September 24th.

So here’s the recap:

Industry professionals will provide insight for students and parents to help guide them in the right direction in today’s current college landscape. This is an opportunity for a wide range of students to be exposed to different opportunities where their futures are concerned, in an informative, fun, casual, and distanced environment.

Watch it from the comfort of your own home starting on September 24th.

Reserve your spot now by clicking on the registration link below:

https://www.theultimateguidetocollege.com/

See you at the summit!

College Aid Consulting Services Staff

Our office gets a number of questions from parents asking about the positives and negatives of private loans for college 2019 as different financial options researched. We believe the drawbacks are as following:

1. Interest is often variable
2. Less flexible repayment options
3. The student may have to start making payments while they are still in school
4. Higher limit on lending which will mean the student will be paying more interest
5. The loan will be dependent on the student’s credit score
6. If the lender requires a co-signer, the student may be putting that person at financial risk.

However, there is a positive in considering a private loan. Friendly terms! Over the last 2-3 years, I have been learning from some of our clients that they have secured a private loan with a lower interest rate than a Federal loan. For example, I talked to a client last week that retained a private loan at a 3% rate.

In summary, when looking at the positives and negatives of private loans for college 2019, I recommend the student and or the parent should contact local banks and credit unions to learn what they have to offer before utilizing any unsubsidized Federal loan and should never turn down a subsidized Federal loan. 

If you have additional questions or need information on how to lower college costs, please contact our office.

Did your college financial aid award fall short?  You are not alone.  Unfortunately, many of the initial financial aid awards from the colleges are not what families count on for making paying for college reasonable.

If this is your situation, you need to reach out to our office immediately for a complimentary consultation.  We have 28 years of experience know what makes a good and fair award and how to appropriately appeal, will make an immense difference in what the out of pocket cost the family will incur. We continue to appeal and negotiate our client’s financial aid offers that we feel the college can do better. The result, more money for college. If you would like us to review your award(s), please contact our office.

I was motivated today to discuss the 2019 FAFSA college financial aid verification process since we have been receiving a lot of questions on this topic and moreover because I received an email from a client yesterday that stated she was told by a representative from a college that her family and others are chosen for Verification because of President Trump.  The person claims that the President refuses to pay for grants and wants to make it difficult as possible for students to receive financial aid.  I simply replied,  you are not being told the truth.

The verification process has been around for many years.  One-third of all FAFSA applicants will be randomly chosen for verification.  Other reasons that a family will be chosen is if the FAFSA includes incomplete data or data that appears to contradict itself and if any original information has been modified.

A question I get from time to time is, can I elect not to complete the process?  Yes, you can.  But why would you?  By doing so, the student will forfeit all access to federal aid, need-based state aid, and in many cases the college’s institutional need-based aid.

If you want more information or clarification on this topic, please contact our office.