College Admissions with Calm, Clarity & Confidence

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Recent FAFSA revisions introduced the term Contributor to refer to anyone other than the student who has to submit financial information for the application. This shift in terminology, combined with misunderstandings about what makes an independent student, and changes to which parent responds if they are unmarried has caused some confusion over the parent role […]

Parent Role in FAFSA: Contributors Explained

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Did you know that when you apply to college can affect how much money you end up paying?  Students often focus on whether or not they should apply under a binding Early Decision option, but overlook how applying later in the cycle can limit their chances of receiving certain types of financial aid.  Some colleges […]

When You Apply to College Can Affect How Much You Pay

College Affordability
November calendar surrounded by fall decorations. College application timing can affect your financial aid

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Typically the first question families ask after their kid gets an offer of college admission is: How much will this cost? Unfortunately, there is no uniform format for delivering financial aid offers. And some colleges have confusing ways of labeling grants, scholarships, and loans. So understanding college financial aid offers takes time and attention to […]

College Financial Aid Offers

College Affordability
Man and woman reading a bill next to a computer College Financial Aid Offers

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The Department of Education announced on November 14, 2024 that the FAFSA 2025-26 is available to all students through the Beta test version. This means any students can apply for federal financial aid for the 2025-26 college academic year through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students and their “contributors” (aka parents submitting […]

Graduation cap on a pile of $100 bills. FAFSA 2025-26 Now Open

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College affordability matters. Understanding college costs and financial aid works should be one of your first steps in making a college list. This is a long article, but I want to give you a strong overview of college costs and financial aid, so you are prepared to consider your options. Think about your family budget, college […]

College Costs and Financial Aid

College Affordability
Graduation cap on a pile of US money. Text reads: College Costs and Financial Aid. Logo of Admissions Decrypted