Before receiving financial aid, students must fill out the FAFSA. This application works to determine what loans and grants — and how much — students qualify for. One important question is how much money students receive from the FAFSA, along with who completes it. This article has everything you need to know about FAFSA funds and receiving them. Who Completes The FAFSA — Students or Parents? The FAFSA is in the student’s name since they’re the ones benefitting from financial aid funds. However, this usually involves both the student and the parents/guardians to complete the FAF ..read more

The process of applying to college isn’t always smooth sailing for students. Some find the entire process to be daunting, and for good reason. A student poll had surprising data: half the students surveyed by education company EAB found the process of looking for and applying to colleges to be stressful and anxiety-inducing. The good news is that college application checklists exist and can greatly reduce the stress associated with applying to educational institutions. This article has everything you need to know about applying to college and working to keep the entire process organized w ..read more

Whether you or your child are looking into financial aid for college, you’re probably wondering if you should apply. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, there are other reasons to complete an application for financial aid. This is especially true if you’re interested in scholarships or grants. Although completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) isn’t a necessity for receiving every type of scholarship (and not required by all colleges), completing it opens up doors for even more scholarship and grant-funded opportunities. But the question is should you apply for financ ..read more

2023 saw more than 7 million college applications as new and recurring students began the college application process. Whether it’s completing the FAFSA or deciding what type of financial aid works best for paying for higher education, there are tons of items on any comprehensive college planning checklist. The question is, however, where do you begin? When to start planning for college makes a big difference, especially if you need student loans, grants, or scholarships, or are applying for early decision. First and foremost, determine which schools you — or your child — will be applying to a ..read more

With financial aid, it’s not one size fits all. When you receive your financial aid depends on several factors, including the type of financial aid you qualify for and what you’ve accepted. If you’re among the 43.2 million American borrowers with some type of federal student loan debt, you may be wondering, “When is financial aid awarded for fall 2024?” Understanding how financial aid — including grants and student loans — works can help you prepare for repayment as you save for college. Student Loans and Different Grants When are financial aid packages released? Grants will most likely come f ..read more

It’s reported that 43.2 million borrowers have debt from taking out federal student loans. Although grants and applying for scholarships can work to offset the cost of school, it’s not always possible to attend higher education without incurring student loan debt. In fact, the average amount of loan debt — among undergraduate students — is $38,290. If you need to apply for student loans, it’s important to do so as soon as possible. Since colleges and universities usually require that you pay your tuition before the semester starts, you need to have your finances squared well before t ..read more

Every year, students can access an estimated 1.58 million scholarships. This means that, for every eight students in college, one gets a scholarship. The vast majority of students — 97%, to be exact — get $2,500 in scholarships. Less than half a percent of students get scholarships valued at $25,000 and up. Considering these numbers, you might be wondering why you should apply for scholarships or how to get a scholarship for college. For starters, you usually don’t have to repay them. And seeing as the average cost of college tuition is over $36,000, every little bit helps. Even better, you ca ..read more

Across the country, 34% of students are awarded a Pell Grant. More than half of these funds are provided to students with an annual income of less than $20,000. It’s important to understand as much about these grants as possible, as they can significantly offset the cost of college or university tuition. Seeing as the average cost of college tuition in the United States is just under $37,000, it’s important to have as much information as possible. If you’re interested in applying for financial aid, you’re probably wondering, “Will I qualify for a Pell Grant?” You might also wonder, “Do federal ..read more

CSS, FAFSA, EFC; the acronyms often seem endless. However, each one is equally important, and the CSS Profile is something all parents, guardians, and students should familiarize themselves with. The CSS Profile is one type of online application that determines financial aid. It’s used by colleges and scholarship programs alike and, as such, tudents who qualify may receive non-federal financial aid. By completing this online application, students can apply for a variety of scholarship programs. The FAFSA is what most students focus on, but Completing the FAFSA isn’t enough; you also need to co ..read more

If you or your child is among the millions of students seeking a degree from a college or university, then it’s important to understand the basics of filling out the FAFSA. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, offers countless benefits. For example, federal student loans are known for their reduced interest rates, helping borrowers pay back their loans after graduation. Additionally, if you’re interested in applying for grants or scholarships, then you may have to apply for the FAFSA, making it a crucial part of the college application process. With the FAFSA comes a myriad ..read more