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
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