Five FAFSA Errors to Avoid
As of January 1, students can complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required in most cases if you are hoping to receive federal, state or institutional financial aid for college. The form can be a bit intimidating, and each year some applicants make costly mistakes that result in lost financial aid benefits. To help you avoid these FAFSA filing pitfalls, we have compiled a list of things to avoid to ensure you receive the best possible financial aid package.
Not Submitting the FAFSA
Believe it or not, every year thousands of students fail to submit the FAFSA at all. Many students who do not complete the FAFSA feel their parents make too much money to qualify for any financial aid, but even those in low-income brackets are guilty of not applying too. Don’t make this mistake and let possible scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid slip through your fingers. ALWAYS submit the FAFSA, starting with your senior year in high school, and file again each year you continue to be enrolled in college or grad school.
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How to Write a Great Personal Statement
Everyone should know how to write a great personal statement. Not only is this skill necessary during the college admission process, but it could also benefit you when applying and interviewing for jobs and scholarships. With admission representatives (and employers and scholarship committees) reading hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, the personal statement you submit with your application may be the key to unlocking your college (and employment) dreams. By following a few simple steps, you’ll be able to draft a personal statement that is sure to make your application stand out from the crowd.
You Had Me at Hello
The introductory sentence and paragraph just may be the most important element in your personal statement; grab your audience quickly and draw them in to your world. Admissions officers are looking for something unique and intriguing, so wow them right off the bat. This can be done through at snapshot of who you are or with a quick engaging story; in either case, make your opening paragraph entertaining and compelling. Read the rest of this entry »
Stuck in the Middle: College & the Middle-Income Family
Many middle-income families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the cost of a college education. While there are often scholarships and grants available to those in the low-income bracket, families with incomes above $60,000 may find it difficult to qualify for many institutional and federal programs. This leaves students with the choice to take on significant student loan debt, enroll at community colleges, or attend institutions with lower tuition rates.
My PSAT Score Is Low — Now What?
Just before the winter break, many high school students received their PSAT exam scores. For juniors, this score is important for a couple of reasons; it is a gauge of how a student will perform on the SAT, and it may lead to possible scholarship opportunities. For freshmen and sophomores, it’s an indication of how they may stack up against their fellow classmates during future testing cycles. If you are less than pleased with your PSAT score results, there is still time to improve your test taking habits and skills before taking the SAT or ACT for entrance into college.
Freshmen/Sophomores
Freshmen: Make College Planning Your New Year’s Resolution
It seems like only yesterday that you started your first day of high school. By now, you may be getting college information from your teachers, guidance counselors and some colleges. But, have you taken the time to sit down and seriously consider your college plans? Chances are you may feel you have plenty of time to address those tasks later down the road. Unfortunately, time is slipping away quicker than you may realize. With the rising cost of tuition and the competition for scholarships increasing, you need to have an action plan in place now. To help you start the college planning process, we have compiled a list of tasks you should complete over the next few weeks. Read the rest of this entry »
Winter Break ‘To-Do’ List for High School Sophomores
As you get ready to welcome in the New Year, be sure to set aside some time for college preparation; the winter break provides an excellent opportunity to do a little research and to start thinking seriously about your future plans. There will be plenty of time to hang out with your friends, catch up on some sleep and enjoy the holidays, but don’t let the time get away from you and neglect working on your college plan. To keep you focused over the break, we put together a short to-do list for you to accomplish before you head back to classes in January.
Test Preparation – Before you leave for the break, stop by and talk to your guidance counselor about the possibility of taking one of the SAT Subject Tests™ this spring while the material is still fresh in your mind. Additionally, if you have already taken the PSAT, use your score report to sign into the CollegeBoard.com website and create a study guide for the SAT. By getting a jump on the SAT now, you’ll be well-prepared for the test during your junior and senior years. Read the rest of this entry »
Simplifying the FAFSA:Use the IRS Retrieval Tool
In a few weeks, parents and students will begin the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are a new or returning user, be sure to take a look at the IRS Retrieval Tool. Instead of having to pull all of your financial papers together again, the tool actually allows you to pull information directly from the IRS and your tax forms and imports them into the FAFSA form. This not only reduces the headache of basically preparing another return, but ensures more accurate reporting from year to year, as well. Who can use the form? Read the rest of this entry »
SAT or ACT: Which Should You Choose?
Planning for college inevitably includes the question, “SAT or ACT…which one do I take?” There is no easy answer. Most colleges accept both test scores for admissions, and many do not have a preference of one test over the other. So, how do you choose which test is right for you? First, research the admissions requirements for schools on your short list to see if they have preferences, as this may help you decide. Secondly, if you can afford to take both, there’s really no harm in doing so and you’ll gain the option to compare your scores and decide which to submit. Finally, if you find your don’t have the time or money to take both exams, consider the following differences in the tests to see which better suits your testing style. Read the rest of this entry »
Tackling Your College Admission Essay
If you haven’t started your college admission essays, now’s the time to get moving! Regular college admission deadlines will be here before you know it, and you don’t want to find yourself trying to crank out an admission essay a day or two before it is due. For some, the mere thought of what to write may have them dragging their feet. For others, it may be more of a mechanical issue. Whatever the reason, we are here to offer you some suggestions on how to get your creative juices flowing.
First, you have to decide what to write. Not all college admission essay questions are the same, but in general, they are meant to probe you for a deeper understanding of who you are and what you can bring to the college campus. When trying to decide between essay topics, consider how writing about each topic could possibly reveal your personality, goals and ambitions. Read the rest of this entry »
Five Things High School Juniors Should Do Before New Year’s Eve
As we head into the holiday season, college planning is probably the last thing on your mind as a high school junior. You are probably consumed with holiday shopping, semester exams and projects, or trying to decide what to wear to the winter formal. Many of you may be dreaming about staying home from school and sleeping in late; however, this is the perfect time for you to work on your plans for college. Before you ring in the New Year, be sure you complete the following five tasks for high school juniors.
1. Register for the SAT and/or ACT. I know you might have just finished taking the PSAT and the last thing you want to do is think about another college admission test right now. But this is actually a perfect time to schedule yourself for one of the spring test dates. Taking the SAT or ACT in your junior year will help you get more comfortable with the tests and identify areas where you may need some additional help. Get ready for a spring test now, and you’ll have a much easier time, and be under less pressure, in your senior year. Read the rest of this entry »
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