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11 Public Universities Offering Automatic Merit Scholarships: Big School Spirit, Lower College Costs

Julie Gross Lenthe October 21, 2026

Looking for a big university with football, school spirit, and merit scholarships? These 11 public colleges offer opportunities to reduce tuition costs, including awards based on GPA and test scores. Updated for the 2027–28 academic year Over the years, I’ve helped many families navigate the college financial aid process, including understanding whether they qualify for

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8 Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

Julie Gross Lenthe October 15, 2026

Simple FAFSA mistakes can delay financial aid—or even affect how much aid your student receives. Here are eight common FAFSA mistakes I see families make and how to avoid them. Updated for the 2027–28 FAFSA The FAFSA is an important part of the college financial aid process, and every year I talk to families who

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College Financial Aid for Divorced or Separated Parents: Complex Situations

Julie Gross Lenthe October 2, 2026

Part 2 of a Two-Part Series What happens when a noncustodial parent won’t cooperate? Here’s what families need to know about the CSS Profile, waiver requests, blended families, college strategy, and financial aid appeals. In Part 1 of this series, we covered the basics of college financial aid for divorced and separated families: which parent

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FAFSA & CSS Profile Deadlines: When to File and Why October 1 Isn’t Your Deadline

Julie Gross Lenthe August 20, 2026

Financial aid deadlines vary by college, state, and application type. Here’s how to stay organized and avoid missing important aid opportunities. For the past 16 years, I’ve guided families through the college financial aid process. Every fall, I see the same thing happen. Parents panic because they believe the FAFSA must be submitted on October 1. Fortunately,

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FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: What Every Family Needs to Know Before Applying for Financial Aid

Julie Gross Lenthe August 12, 2026

Understanding the differences between the FAFSA and CSS Profile can help you maximize financial aid and avoid costly mistakes. As summer comes to an end, college application season quickly becomes a reality. Along with applications, essays, and campus visits comes another important step: applying for financial aid. Most families know they need to complete the FAFSA. What

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How to Access the Sibling Discount for College

Julie Gross Lenthe July 1, 2026

The FAFSA sibling discount is gone—but families still have options. For years, families with two or more children attending college at the same time could count on an automatic break in their federal financial aid calculation. That changed when the FAFSA Simplification Act went into effect for the 2024–25 academic year. The change caught many

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Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Admissions

Julie Gross Lenthe June 18, 2026

Does applying for financial aid hurt your chances of admission? The answer may surprise you. Most families assume that a college admissions decision is based solely on a student’s academic achievements. While GPA, course rigor, extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation are all critical factors, finances can also play a role in the admissions

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Early Decision and Financial Aid: What Families Need to Know

Julie Gross Lenthe June 10, 2026

Why Early Decision Can Feel Like a Gamble for Families Watching College Costs Summer is an important time for rising high school seniors as they prepare for the college application process. Students spend months researching colleges, visiting campuses, and building their college list. One of the most important decisions they will make is how to apply. Many

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