When Does FAFSA Open?

When Does FAFSA Open?

Financial Aid, Videos
If you are looking to receive financial aid, or even simply the Federal Direct Student Loan or a Federal Parent PLUS Loan, you will need to fill out the Free…

Why Do Colleges Defer Students?

Videos
It’s that time of year. The responses to your early action and early decision college applications are starting to roll in. While you are hoping for a yes, you open…

Do Colleges Care More About GPA or SAT?

Videos
GPA or SAT – which is more important to college admissions counselors? We are often – actually almost always – asked this question by students and parents throughout the college…

Who Fills Out the FAFSA-Parent or Student?

Videos
If you want to receive any financial aid from the federal government for college, including federal student loans, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed. But…

How to Request Transcripts on Naviance

Videos
Each high school determines which features of Naviance they want to implement for their school and students. Although there are some high schools that allow you to request transcripts through…

How to Track College Application Status

Videos
You’ve submitted your college applications. Congratulations! The hard work is finished, but there is still work to be done. You need to make sure the application was received and that…

Is It Better To Apply Early Decision

Videos
For those of you wondering if it is better to apply early decision over regular decision, it is important to note that for many schools, applying early decision can increase…

How Many Colleges Can You Apply To?

Videos
Our students and families always ask: • How many colleges should I apply to? • How many college applications is too many? • How many reach schools should I have…

Can I Apply Early Decision and Early Action?

Videos
Generally, you can apply early decision to one school and early action to other schools; however, there are some caveats. Remember, early decision is binding, it is contractual. You can…

What Colleges Use the Coalition Application

Videos
Today, there are about 135 schools and colleges that are members of the Coalition for College, using their application for admission. You can find the complete list of schools that…

How Does Early Decision Work

Videos
There are several ways you can apply to a college – depending, of course, upon the type of options they offer. Our article Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling…

FAFSA Expected Family Contribution Going Away?

Videos
There recently have been articles about the upcoming changes related to the Expected Family Contribution, which is part of the financial aid calculation. Our article Changes To The FAFSA: Student…

How Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest

Videos
Colleges want to know which students have a significant interest in attending their school – and they go to great lengths to find out. They carefully track students that show…

How Does a 529 Affect Financial Aid?

Videos
In short, even though a 529 account is for a child, it is considered a parental asset and is figured into the Expected Family Contribution, which affects financial aid awards.…

Does Financial Aid Cover Books?

Videos
In short, yes, financial aid does cover the cost of books. Financial aid covers anything that falls under the cost of attendance, which includes: • Tuition • Room and Board…

What Is the High School Code?

Videos
Throughout your college admissions journey, you will be asked to provide your High School Code. If you’re like most students, you may be confused as to what that even is.…

What Is the Deadline for FAFSA?

Videos
All FAFSA forms/applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. central time on June 30th of the academic year for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for…

How to Accept a College Admission

Videos
The college acceptances have arrived. You’ve narrowed down the options and made your decision. You know which school you want to attend. Now you just need to let them know…

How to Turn Down a College Coach

Videos
You’ve worked hard, put in the time and commitment, and now it’s paid off. You have a group of college coaches wanting you to come play for them. They have…

College Waitlist Chances

Videos
When March rolls around, so do the final college admissions decisions. In addition to acceptances and rejections, you could possibly receive a notification that you have been put on a…

How to Prepare for College as a Sophomore

Videos
The college search and application process is incredibly important. The sooner you start preparing, the more successful and enjoyable this journey will be. There are plenty of things sophomores can…

When Should You Start Visiting Colleges?

Videos
Visiting colleges is a really important piece of your college journey. You want to get a true feel for the school’s personality, and stepping foot on campus will help you…

Can You Appeal a College Rejection?

Videos
While you may be able to appeal a college rejection, the chances are incredibly slim that the school’s admission decision will change for the positive. Every so often, I am…

Do Colleges Look at Disciplinary Records?

Videos
College admissions officers will look at disciplinary records IF a high school provides them. Most college applications, including the Common App, inquire about disciplinary information. By disciplinary records, we mean…

Can You Get Student Loans Without FAFSA?

Videos
Let’s face it, the FAFSA is time consuming and can be overwhelming. So, it’s quite tempting to skip filling out the federal government’s financial aid application if possible. While you…

College Admissions Deferred vs. Waitlist

Videos
Being deferred from a college versus being put on a waitlist are two totally different college admissions responses. Let’s say you applied early action or early decision and you get…

How Important Are College Interviews?

Videos
In short, college interviews can be a very important part of your admissions process. They are a way to bring your application to life for the school’s admissions officers. Interviews…

How Do You Set Up a College Visit?

Videos
Just Follow these 3 Simple Steps Setting up a college visit is fairly simple. It really hinges on knowing where to go online to schedule your visit. Practically all colleges…

What Is a Regular Decision Deadline?

Videos
The regular decision deadline is the last day that you can submit your application for admission to that particular college or university for the following school year (unless there is…

Do Colleges Look at Weighted GPA?

Videos
This is a question that typically weighs heavily on every student’s mind. You’re taking more difficult classes – honors, AP, courses offered through colleges. These more difficult classes require more…

What Does Early Action Mean?

Videos
When you apply to college, you may have options as to the way in which you apply: • Early Action • Early Decision • Regular Decision • Priority Application •…