CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MARCH 10, 2025

Colleges often send out different offers with varying amounts of financial support, and it can be tricky to figure out which one is the best deal for you. Heres a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision about your college financial aid package.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JUNE 9, 2025

However, it is so important to understand the various acronyms and terms you’ll see in applications, on paperwork, and in your financial aid offer letters. Otherwise, you’re unable to make informed decisions with your family about how to pay for school!

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

This means you can compare not only the acceptance offers from multiple schools but also the financial aid packages that come with them. This timing is crucial for making a fully informed decision about which school fits your academic and financial needs.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MARCH 24, 2025

Here are a few reasons why: Changes in Your Financial Situation: If your family’s financial situation has changed due to factors like a job loss, medical expenses, or other hardships, you may be eligible for more aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

The timing of your application—whether you choose Early Action or Regular Decision—can influence both the financial aid options available to you and your ability to make a fully informed decision. With Early Action, you may receive your admission decision in December, but financial aid offers often won’t arrive until later.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MAY 5, 2025

If the enrollment deposit is a financial burden, reach out to the admissions or financial aid office. Your Student Portal and Email This will become your new communications hub. Colleges will send important information about housing, orientation, tuition bills, and financial aid herenot to your personal email.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

This is especially helpful for students and families who want time to evaluate their financial aid packages from multiple schools before making a final decision. If you’re applying to schools that offer need-based financial aid, early action gives you time to weigh your options.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

By the end of your visits, youll be well-equipped to make an informed decision on where to applyand where youll likely thrive. More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

APRIL 14, 2025

Dont Forget About Your Colleges Financial Aid Office Each college has its own financial aid office that can help you understand what aid is available at their school. Be sure to reach out to these offices for information on scholarships, grants, and the application process.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

Attend an info session: Many colleges offer information sessions that give more in-depth details about admissions, financial aid, and campus life. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. This will help you later when youre comparing schools.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MAY 20, 2024

However, one tool that can make this journey smoother is often right at your student’s fingertips: the college portal. Your student’s ability to regularly monitor their college portal is essential to their application process, especially when it comes to staying updated and informed about financial aid tasks and deadlines.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Once you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you’ll receive a SAR or Student Aid Report. This document summarizes the information you submitted on your FAFSA. It’s important to review the SAR for any errors that could affect your financial aid package. What Is SAR?

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

OCTOBER 7, 2024

With the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) (replacing the previous IRS Data Retrieval tool), a lot of information will be pulled from your family’s federal tax returns. Take your time, double-check your information, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it!

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MAY 27, 2024

Remember to review any payment requirements with your student so they know what they’re responsible for. Complete the FAFSA : Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. The information provided in the FAFSA determines eligibility for various types of aid, so don’t delay.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Gather Social Security numbers, driver’s license information, and income/investment information. They will be using the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange to gather information from your last tax return, but it won’t hurt to have the other information on hand.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

AUGUST 12, 2024

Institutional Aid: Check each college’s website for specific deadlines for their own financial aid forms. Tips for Staying on Track In a recent blog, I discussed creating a master schedule that includes all of these deadlines. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

FAFSA Overview The FAFSA is your gateway to federal financial aid, including grants, work-study programs, and loans. Nearly every college requires it, and it’s used to determine your family’s financial need. Now, you’ll get that information in the Student Aid Index.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JUNE 24, 2024

Understanding these details will help you make informed decisions and avoid surprises down the road. Estimate Future Loan Payments Use loan calculators or online tools to estimate your student’s future loan payments based on the amount borrowed, interest rate, and repayment term.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JULY 15, 2024

Requirements: List the specific requirements for each scholarship, such as essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and financial information. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

February is one of my favorite months of the year because it’s National Financial Aid Awareness Month. Throughout this month, all of us in the higher education community make an extra effort to provide even more information about how to use and access financial aid for college.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 1, 2023

Updates to the FAFSA Have Delayed College Financial Aid for Millions The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has undergone some major updates for the 2024-2025 application cycle. Unfortunately, many families and students are wondering exactly where the FAFSA is. Still Want More Help?

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

OCTOBER 21, 2024

Once that is in place, start gathering the following documents and information: Social Security Numbers for students and parents, or Alien Registration Numbers for non-U.S. Independent students will only have to provide their personal information, while dependent students will need to provide it for themselves and their parents.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

To help you understand the financial aid landscape and make informed decisions as a college-bound student (or with them as a parent), I’ve put together a glossary of the most common financial aid terms and their meanings. It also indicates a student’s eligibility for federal student aid.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

You’re likely to see scholarships and grants you will not have to repay, and student loans that you will have to repay. Make one last effort at increasing financial aid Remember, the colleges are looking at financial aid information from the last year.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 3, 2023

During the application, families will give consent to the Department of Education to send their identifying information to the IRS, who will match up records and retrieve the necessary financial aid information for the FAFSA. Families must consent to be able to receive financial aid.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

It’s calculated based on financial information provided in the FAFSA or CSS Profile and helps determine your eligibility for need-based aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JULY 1, 2024

Key Milestones for Scholarship Search Early High School: While not typically applying for scholarships at this stage, students can start exploring what scholarships are out there and begin to understand what might be required in the future. This is helpful to simply gather information and learn what options might exist.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

APRIL 22, 2024

Explain the specifics of your financial background, let the director know if anything is anticipated to change within the next year, and ask about what other students have done to achieve success. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

APRIL 8, 2024

Remind your student to head to the financial aid office, look online, or contact lenders directly to find out exactly how much money was borrowed, when payments start, what the monthly payment amount will be, and if there are any income-based repayment plans.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

In addition to being the first to qualify for aid, an early application leaves you time to correct errors or submit any additional information required. Be prepared for the possibilities Applying for admissions and financial aid is a lot like many of the other situations – sometimes things will go your way and sometimes they won’t.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JULY 29, 2024

Students can learn about financial responsibility from managing everyday expenses and planning for major purchases and investments. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help students grasp the fundamentals of credit and debt and make informed financial decisions. What is Credit?

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

APRIL 1, 2024

Supply all requested information: If any of your financial applications were selected for verification, you must get all the supporting documentation to the school in a timely manner so they can make a final decision regarding your financial aid.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

DECEMBER 11, 2023

One thing that has not changed about the FAFSA is that any current high school senior who plans to attend college in the fall and any current college students should still file the FAFSA. As a reminder, the FAFSA gathers information about your financial needs so your student can be offered work-study, grants, and student loans.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MAY 6, 2024

Provide accurate information about your family’s financial situation, including income, assets, and household size. If you’re struggling with the forms, consider asking a financial aid expert (like me!) Double-check for errors or missing information that could affect your eligibility for aid.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

MARCH 25, 2024

What other information is available? Remember, you are trying to determine whether the campus is comfortable for you, and whether you are the type of student who will thrive here. Collecting information now will help you in narrowing your college list.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JANUARY 3, 2024

More information will be directly input from the appropriate federal tax return using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. EFC: The Expected Family Contribution will be changed to the Student Aid Index (SAI). There will also be changes to the financial aid appeals process.

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CFAA College Financial Aid Advisors

JANUARY 9, 2024

Unsurprisingly, these issues are causing concern for parents and students who are wondering how they will pay for college. How Will Colleges Get the Information? This was meant to help ensure students and families had adequate time to complete their applications. Twitter: The 2024-2025 FAFSA is live… or is it?

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