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March 4, 2015

After The College Acceptance Letter

The USA Today article makes 5 good points. The first one is #1 on our list of 12 Things You Have To Do Before Going Off To College. Students should always check on the status of their FAFSA and or Profile online and call your school’s financial aid office to ensure their loans, grants or scholarships have been processed. If you want the complete list of our staff’s 12 things, please contact our office.

5 ways to start preparing for college once you have the acceptance letter
News Source: USA Today

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,
March 3, 2015

College Financial Aid Bait & Switch

Many colleges who play the bait and switch game claim that they don’t. I am not going to name names here, however our clients who pursue colleges that do will know. With our 24 years of experience, we know what to expect from the majority of major colleges in the US especially what they can offer in gift-aid. If a family is dealing with the bait and switch game, there are ways to deal with it. Contact us today to learn more.

College freshmen need to beware of bait-and-switch aid offers
News Source: The Fiscal Times

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,
February 11, 2015

2015 College Financial Aid FAFSA & the CSS Profile Deadline Is Approaching

Many families have yet to file their financial aid forms. A crucial deadline is approaching. For numerous colleges, February 15th is the deadline for FAFSA & the CSS Profile. Every year at this time, parents come to us to review their forms. Historically in 95% of our reviews, we find a minimum of 3 mistakes if not more on each form which will cost a family thousands of dollars. Today, I corrected 3 FAFSAs for a family that had 2 mistakes for each child that would have resulted in no financial aid. Now they qualify. If you want a professional review of your forms to make a difference, contact our office right away.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , ,
January 10, 2015

Everyone Should File FAFSA For College Financial Aid

The writer is right on regarding FAFSA. Everyone should file it. In some cases it will stimulate unexpected sources of aid. However the article makes no mention of other financial aid forms that would be required by many schools. The CSS Profile and the college’s own institutional form. Families should never miss the college(s) deadline. If they do for some reason, there are a couple of ways to deal with it. Contact our office for more information. and no obligation consultation of your situation

It’s financial aid season for college applicants, a time when deadlines rule
News Source: Bangor Daily News

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , ,
January 2, 2015

Be Strategic When Filing FAFSA For Financial Aid

The article entices you to file the FAFSA immediately. As I have stated countless times, this is not so good advice for many families applying for student financial aid. There is one main reason here. Contact our office for more information.

New Year’s is the best day to apply for college financial aid
News Source: CNN Money

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 19, 2014

Financial Aid, FAFSA & Undocumented Parents

It was a pleasure to talk with Emily for USA Today and offer important advice for students with undocumented parents. Their pursuit to achieve the best for their education is praiseworthy. As the article states, these students should always file FAFSA if possible. Even though as a non-citizen, the student will not qualify for Federal aid, the FAFSA may stimulate other forms of aid. The student should always ask the financial aid staff for assistance when needed; they are happy to assist in any way possible.

The FAFSA requires Social Security numbers for the student and parents. Ron Ramsdell, founder of Minneapolis-based College Aid Consulting Services, says if your parents are undocumented, you should enter all zeroes for their numbers.

FAFSA application tips for students with undocumented parents
News Source: USA Today

Filed Under: Press Tagged With: , , , ,
December 19, 2014

Grandparents, Grandchildren & College

If grandparents are going to financially assist their grandchildren for college, they need to know that student’s assets are assess much higher than the parent’s assets. So, a 529 plan in the student’s name may not be such a good idea. In addition, parents and grandparents should shy away from UTMA’s and UGMA’s for the student. There better ways to save for children that are college bound. Contact our office for more information.

How grandparents can save for their grandchildren’s college
News Source: Deseret News

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 13, 2014

Is There An Important Deadline For FAFSA?

The writer states that the deadline for FAFSA is June 30th. Not true and big mistake for parents that adhere to this advice. Each college will have their own individual deadline which will be earlier. Also, the article does not mention that there may be other forms that will be required like Profile. One last thing, many families should not file their financial aid forms immediately. Why? One important reason. Contact our staff to learn more.

Important Deadline Approaching For Students Needing Help Paying For College
News Source: WBAA – Public Radio Of Purdue

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,
December 3, 2014

Chances Are You Can Afford Private College

Students with high academics should always apply to prestigious private colleges. Many students who deserve to attend these schools never apply to them due to “sticker shock”. We have found over the years that many of our students end up attending a private school for around the same price as a state institution. Why? Two reasons; first, private schools have more endowments to tap into. Second, professional guidance. Our clients go through the financial aid process in the most efficient way possible. Knowing how to play the financial aid game is key. Contact us today to learn more.

When you should apply to a college regardless of the cost
News Source: USA TODAY College

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , ,
November 27, 2014

Debt And College Choices

The cost of education will continue to rise and students will graduate with a historical amount of debt. More bad news; unfortunately many students will not be able to retain a job with the salary they deserve based on their degree. Therefore, students should research what careers will be in demand in the years they will graduate.

How Debt By Way Of Higher Education Will Ruin Millennials’ Lives
News source: Elite Daily

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , ,
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