Hi Friend, Happy Valentine’s Day! February is an excellent month to treasure your loved ones and your family’s finances. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step when figuring out how to pay for college. The new simplified 2024-25 FAFSA “soft launched” on Dec. 30 after a three-month delay and a bumpy start, but the new FAFSA form is now available. Students should submit the FAFSA to meet each college deadline, even though the Department of Education has reported another delay. The FAFSA information will now only be sent to colleg ..read more

As tax season unfolds, it’s important for college students and recent graduates to organize their financial documents and understand their potential tax obligations, especially if they have received a scholarship in the past year. While scholarships are often perceived as “free money,” there are specific circumstances that may require reporting scholarships as taxable income.   Some scholarships will have restrictions for what the money can be used for, while others allow for a broader range of uses with the funds, but allowable expenditures are not necessarily the same as qualified ..read more

Hi Friend, Happy New Year! The delayed soft launch opening of the FAFSA makes for a crunched timeline, so it’s important to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible – even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for aid.  The FAFSA is integral to unlocking need-based grants, work-study, federal student loans and institutional aid and scholarships. The FAFSA is open, but you may experience delays during the soft launch period, so make sure you get started right away. Filing early increases the chances of receiving need-based aid, as much is offered on a first come, first ser ..read more

Understanding and deciphering financial aid award letters is crucial for aspiring college students and their families when navigating the costs associated with higher education. Award letters outline the financial aid package offered by a college or university. These letters are often filled with intricate financial terms and unconventional abbreviations. To unravel financial aid award letters effectively, consider the following tips:   1. Apply for Financial Aid: To qualify for federal student aid, including federal scholarships, grants, work-study programs and student loans, comple ..read more

Hi Friend, Happy Holidays! We hope you get the opportunity to relax and recharge during the winter break.  The Department of Education has announced that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available by December 31, 2023. There will likely be a delay in processing the FAFSA after the updated version of the form goes live, a setback that could slow the delivery of college financial aid offers. Being prepared to file the FAFSA is the best way to stay one step ahead.   The goal of planning for your family’s college financial strategy is to cr ..read more

Guest blog written by Emilia Copeland Titus for Strategies For College, a college planning affiliate I work with. At Strategies For College, we strongly encourage parents to start planning their financial strategy for their student’s higher education before their senior year of high school. This process involves quite a bit of research and should include a careful, honest assessment of your family’s financial situation. The goal is to develop a plan for college that results in the best possible educational experience for your student without putting your family into unmanageable am ..read more

Hi Friend, Happy Thanksgiving! As the excitement of the holiday season begins, it may become more challenging for your student to focus on the college deadlines approaching. Setting a plan in motion is key to staying on top of the college application process. Keeping up to date with the details of college application season is a big undertaking. It’s important to have a solid idea of what deadlines are approaching and how to be prepared. There is a lot that goes into a college application, so having a list of dates and some pointers readily available can alleviate the guesswork. Some ..read more

Every college-aspiring student should apply for financial aid – even those from families with higher incomes. Financial aid can provide valuable support to many students, and there are several reasons why all families should consider applying for financial aid. Here are five important reasons to apply:  1. You Might Qualify for Financial Aid: Many families assume they won’t qualify for need-based financial aid because of their income and assets, but they might be surprised. Filling out the FAFSA and the CSS Profile can reveal financial aid, grants, and tax credits that they may be eligib ..read more

Hi Friend, It’s October, and fall is in the air!   This year, there are some substantial changes coming to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) stemming from the FAFSA Simplification Act. The projected availability to file the FAFSA for the 2024-25 award year will be delayed to December 2023. The updates to the FAFSA include a complete redesign and fewer questions intended to simplify the process.   Federal student loan interest began to accrue again in September, and loan payments are set to restart in October. Check out these six s ..read more

https://westfacecollegeplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/how-the-css-profile-could-impact-what-you-pay-for-college-with-beatrice-schultz.mp3 Guest blog featuring: Lisa Marker Robbins, founder of Flourish Coaching with Beatrice Schultz, owner of Westface College Planning. In this episode, Lisa and Beatrice discuss: How the CSS Profile differs from the FAFSA for getting college financial aid. Which colleges use the CSS Profile. Why it’s important to establish a college budget as early as your student’s sophomore year.  Reasons why you should complete the CSS Profile and apply for other ..read more