In the “old days,” you went to college to figure out what you wanted to do in life, become an adult, learn independence and become well-rounded. Along the way, you earned a degree. That was then, and this is now. In 1990, the cost of full-time attendance at a four-year college was around $10,000 a Read More
The college admissions process is complicated enough with campus visits, test-optional schools, applications, summer activities, etc., but trying to understand the world of financial aid can be daunting. Here are some basic “Myths” and “Realities” in the world of financial aid. 1. “We make too much money to qualify.” • “Only low-income families receive financial Read More
GradBetter offers free tools that compare financial aid awards and draft clear, effective appeal letters. Counselors can use the tools directly or simply invite families to compare awards, understand what drives appeals, and generate a strong starting draft. Appealing is now common practice. About one-third of families appeal, and most succeed, with the majority of Read More
A recent report in Inside Higher Ed said something that wasn’t surprising to me: Many students and families are unprepared for the true cost of college. It’s not uncommon for families to say, “Oh look, the state school will cost us $8,000 to $10,000 a year” and they think that’s all they will be paying. Read More
When you and other counselors hear that the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2023 made it easier to apply for federal financial aid for college, you may think, “This will be easy!” True, the act reduced the number of questions, but counselors and families still find the form so complex and overwhelming that the process seems Read More
Whether you are working with students starting college this fall, next fall or the one after that, there are steps you can take in 2026 to help your students get their degree without sabotaging their parents savings or retirement. Here are some things to keep in mind based on when your students will be starting Read More
College access advocates have legitimate concerns that the Workforce Pell Grant Act could have an unintended negative impact on students related to lifetime Pell Grant eligibility. Students may eventually review associate and bachelor’s degree options and the funds utilized for the short-term job training program may limit future Pell Grant educational financing. This new dynamic Read More
College Admissions, Financial Aid and Billing Office Questions to Consider For students enrolling for college effective July 1, 2026, the student loan limits have been changed from the current amounts available. To prepare for these changes college administrators should consider reviewing the following questions and the resulting data. What percentage of the freshman admitted students Read More
Today’s Baby Boomers hold over half of total U.S. household wealth, while their kids hold a much smaller portion, despite being bigger in population, according to a new study by New York University economists. Those 65 and older have benefitted from long-term home ownership, booming stock markets and steady jobs with 401(k)s to build their Read More
When it comes to college funding, it’s never a good idea for the families of your students to sit back and let nature take its course, whether they already are already carrying other student debt or planning for a college student-to-be. A measure being considered in the U.S. Senate, which amends parts of the 1965 Read More
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