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Paying for College

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Before Using That College Net Price Calculator, Read This

What is the Net Price Calculator About, Anyway?  In their quest to prepare for the costs associated with college, many families look to the Net Price Calculator on college’s websites to help them get an idea of how much they will have to pay for their child’s education. Net Price Calculators are supposed to calculate the amount that a student would pay to attend a college or university in a single academic year, considering any scholarships and grants the student…

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Billie Jo Weis

7 things to have ready before you file the 2022 – 2023 FAFSA

1. Know the deadlines - There are 3 of them! Federal - The FAFSA becomes available on October 1, 2021 for the college academic year 2022 - 2023 and the federal deadline is June 30, 2022. Link to the FAFSA form. College – Since colleges rely on the FAFSA to award student aid, make sure you know each individual school’s FAFSA deadline. Deadlines may be different for early action, early/regular decision, new students, and continuing students. State - Residents planning to attend an in-state…

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Billie Jo Weis

Do you need help with the FAFSA?– What you need to know!

The financial aid eligibility process can be tedious and difficult to navigate. Planning ahead and starting the process early is a great way to ensure that your journey is as smooth as possible. So, let’s get started with how to file FAFSA. How to File FAFSA It is in your best interest to make completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) a priority. I recommend completing it as early as October 1 your senior year, and each year…

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Award Letter

Should You Appeal Your Award Letter?

Award letters will soon appear in your mailbox. But, what’s next? Do you accept the offer? Do you appeal? Do you think it over for another month? Below are important things to consider before attempting to appeal your award letter: Have your circumstances changed since you filled out the FAFSA? Have you had any unexpected medical expenses, a sudden divorce, or a layoff? The Covid-19 pandemic has made this the case for many families. If there has been a sudden change in…

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Tools to Help Pay for College

There are many, many options when it comes to finding resources to help you figure out the best way to pay for college. There are blogs, websites, coaches, and more. Unfortunately, a lot of the advice out there can miss the mark and leave you paying more for college than you need to. « Learn more about paying for college Here are 5 free resources that we trust to help you find the best way to pay for college. 1.…

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Why It Is Always Important to Reduce Your EFC

How important is it for you to know how to reduce EFC for college? EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. What if you already know that you or your student will be receiving a merit scholarship that will far exceed any need-based financial aid? Though it is possible that a high merit scholarship may eliminate your eligibility for any need-based financial aid, it is still very important to keep your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as low as possible. « Learn more…

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7 Unconventional Ways to Earn Money Towards Your Kid’s Dream Degree

Written by: Guest Contributor College is a big expense, and saving for it can be stressful for both parents and students. It’s easy to make mistakes in this process of saving and paying for an education. We all know about filling out the FAFSA. But let’s talk about 7 unique strategies for saving and paying for college.  Deposit funds into a college savings account There are various types of college savings accounts available to you. Some schools allow parents to…

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What is CLEP?

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP), is a program administered by the College Board that allows students to save time and money by earning college credit for knowledge they already have from work experience, AP classes or independent study. Upon passing a CLEP exam, students can earn college credit at more than 2,900 institutions. This program is open to anyone, including high school students, adult learners, active military service members, veterans and current college students.  What is CLEP? Although it…

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College For Free Freshman Year For Free

How the Freshman Year for Free Program Works: Q&A with the Executive Director of Modern States

  The Freshman Year for Free Program launched in 2017 by Modern States Education Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to college access. The program has since helped more than 200,000 students earn free college credit. The Modern States Freshman Year for Free program provides more than 30 free online courses taught by top college professors. Once students complete a course, the program provides vouchers for them to take an AP or CLEP exam to earn traditional academic credits at more than…

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Matt Grzetich

6 Costly Mistakes Parents Make when Saving for College

Parents Saving for College Saving for college is undoubtedly important, but there are right and wrong ways to do it.  Be wary of these six common and costly mistakes that families make when parents are saving for college: Saving for college in your child's name Paying for college with the help of a grandparent or non-custodial parent Using retirement funds to pay for college Not using the financial aid appeals process Not applying to enough colleges Not starting early enough…

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