A common question from families—and what you need to know before making the move Throughout my years of working with families, one question comes up often: Will financial aid change if my student moves off campus? While many colleges require students to live on campus during their first year, it’s very common for students to
Why winning outside scholarships doesn’t always lower your college costs Applying for outside or private scholarships has become a standard part of the college process, right alongside completing the Common Application, FAFSA, and standardized testing. Families invest significant time and energy into finding these opportunities, hoping to reduce the cost of college. And understandably so,
A clear guide for families comparing federal Parent PLUS loans and private student loans to cover the cost of college As high school seniors finalize their college decisions, many parents are left asking the same question: How are we going to pay for this? After grants, scholarships, and Federal Direct Student Loans are applied, there
If you’ve received your student’s financial aid award letter, you likely saw Federal Direct Loans listed as part of the package. These loans are commonly included in financial aid offers and are designed to help families bridge the gap between scholarships, grants, and the remaining cost of college. As a college financial aid advisor for
A Guide for Families For many families, student loans are part of the college funding equation. With the rising cost of tuition, even students receiving substantial financial aid often need to borrow to cover the gap. Loans help cover the gap between what a college offers in grants and scholarships and the full cost of attendance. With the
Sometimes a family’s financial situation changes after they submit the FAFSA or CSS Profile, and the income reported on those forms no longer reflects their current reality. When this happens, colleges may be able to adjust the financial aid calculation through a process called Professional Judgment. This process allows financial aid offices to review special circumstances and
What Families Need to Know About This Financial Aid Program As financial aid award letters begin arriving, you may notice an item called Federal Work-Study (FWS) listed on your student’s financial aid package. This need-based federal program can offer great opportunities for students. I’m a big supporter of the work-study program, but I’m not a
A Step-by-Step Guide for Students and Families Receiving a college acceptance letter is exciting! We love acceptance letters! Soon after, the financial aid award letter arrives, which can be equally as important. While this letter outlines the financial aid a college is offering, it can also be confusing and difficult to interpret. Many families struggle
Financial aid award letters are arriving, and many families quickly realize that some schools simply don’t offer enough aid to make attendance financially realistic. This can be frustrating—especially when the school offering the least amount of aid is the one your student most wants to attend. The good news is that financial aid awards are
Direct loans will be awarded to students who submit a FAFSA as part of their financial aid package. You may see two Direct loans. One is a subsidized loan, meaning the government is paying the interest while the student attends college at least half time, until they graduate. The subsidized loan will be $3,500 the freshman
