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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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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A practical guide to building a smart college list, understanding financial aid, and staying organized before senior year High school juniors are wrapping up one of the most important years of their academic journey and heading into their final summer before senior year. This summer is a critical time to begin preparing for college applications,
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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
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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
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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
Financial Aid Appeals: A Simple Guide Read More »
