Westface College Planning Blog
2 FOLLOWERS
Are you worried about paying for college? Read our blog to get expert advice and financial aid. At Westface College Planning, we work with families to help them navigate the "paying for college" process. We share ways to pay less, tap into financial aid where possible, and prioritize their source of college funds.
Westface College Planning Blog
2M ago
Hi Friend, As August makes its debut, we gradually move away from the leisurely pace of summer and get ready for the busy new school year ahead. Some students are gearing up for their first year of college, about to embark on new and exciting experiences, while others are just beginning their college planning journey.…
The post Financial Advice for New College Students appeared first on Westface College Planning ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
2M ago
Navigating the transition from high school to college is an exciting yet challenging time for both students and parents. Having successfully completed the college application journey, campus tours, and ultimately selecting a college, students and their parents are now ready to embark on this new chapter. This is the best time to equip students with…
The post Six Financial Tips for New College Students appeared first on Westface College Planning ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
Hi Friend,
It’s July! We hope you make some wonderful memories this Independence Day. As summer break continues, and as your student makes the most of their vacation, it’s also the perfect opportunity to get them ahead of their college planning game.
The FAFSA is one of the most important steps to complete in the college funding process, but this year it has been riddled with delays and issues from the implementation of the new form. Many students have encountered challenges with completing the FAFSA, leading to delays in receiving financial aid award letters. These delays have resulted i ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
College is a period of significant change and growth for students. It marks the beginning of financial independence for many, requiring the development of effective money management skills. Creating a budget is essential for college students to effectively manage their finances, which allows them to focus on their studies and alleviate added stress from money concerns. This comprehensive guide is designed to help college students build a budget that works for them.
1. Choose a School
First, students need to decide which college they want to attend and when they hope to start. Knowi ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
Hi Friend,
Happy June! Summertime is here and high school seniors are now graduating. Congratulations! All their hard work has paid off and now they can start focusing more on their next exciting chapter, college.
Federal student loans are one of the many ways to help pay for college and each year the new loan rates are announced. This year the federal student loan rates are increasing for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. The undergraduate direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans are set at 6.53%, up from 5.50% with graduate and professional direct unsu ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
Hi Friend,
May 1 is usually celebrated as “National College Decision Day” – a time when colleges and universities request their accepted students to finalize their choice of school for the upcoming fall semester by making a deposit. However, this year is an exception…
Due to a series of technical issues with the newly implemented FAFSA form, the Department of Education has requested educational institutions to extend their deadlines to at least May 15th, with some opting for an extension until June 1st to allow for more flexibility. Once students start receiving their award letters ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
Following graduation, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment, college students are granted a student loan grace period. During this time, borrowers do not have to make payments towards their student loans. This temporary break serves as a valuable opportunity for recent graduates and those transitioning out of school to secure employment and acclimate to their new financial situation before embarking on the repayment of their loans. In this guide, we’ll explore the student loan grace period, from its duration to tips for making the most of this payment-free window.
Durati ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
Hi Friend,
It’s April! This spring, the college decision timeline is very different due to the many FAFSA delays. High school seniors will likely start receiving their financial aid offers mid-April. As a result, the Department of Education is encouraging colleges and universities to extend their admission deadlines to allow more time for reviewing offers.
Once seniors start receiving their financial aid offers they can begin making the important decisions about which school they’d like to attend. A big piece of the college decision making process is reviewing and comparing financia ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
Hi Friend,
It’s March, and spring is just around the corner!
If you have a high school senior, it’s getting close to college decision time. March is typically when high school seniors start to receive their college offers and May 1st has always been decision day! This year colleges will be receiving the FAFSA data later than normal, causing many colleges to push out their admission and acceptance deadlines.
Many schools offer financial aid based on a student’s achievements and talents rather than their financial need. Finding out which colleges offer this meri ..read more
Westface College Planning Blog
3M ago
One of the biggest concerns for most college-bound students and their families when planning for college is the cost of attending. Fortunately, there are other options besides taking out student loans to help pay for a higher education. The two types of financial aid are need-based aid and merit aid. Need-based aid is awarded based on financial need, while merit aid is awarded based on a student’s academic achievements, their talents, and other major accomplishments. Merit aid awards help with making college accessible to a wider range of applicants and can open doors to more educational ..read more