From candid profile assessments to comprehensive mock interview packages, check out the comprehensive and strategic services that can maximize your admissions chances!

Great guides for financial aid advice. These guide are updated regularly to keep it current with changing tax laws and college financial aid policies.

Ask admission questions, get test-prep tips, and share war stories about the application process in our dedicated, interactive discussion board.

Financial Aid for College

Read your financial aid award letter like a pro!

Educate Yourself About the Financial Aid for College Options
financial aid for college

Financial aid for college is only intimidating before you understand the facts.

You should know what you are about to get into and how to best plan what is likely to be one of your life’s largest purchases. Let’s set the record straight up front. There is no panacea for everyone to ensure they will not have to pay for their college educations.

There is a good chance that say the equity in your home and/or some other components of your net worth and income will be held against you in the calculation of your SAR (summary of the financial aid you can expect to receive) of your FAFSA. This does not mean, however, that there are not ways to reduce the financial burdens of the college education expenses.

Research Your Tax Options

There are many potential tax benefits that are available to most tax payers. These include Section 529 college tuition savings plans. Additionally the interest on student loans is sometimes tax deductible. While we are not attorneys or CPAs, and hence do not wish to dispense tax advice, we have included some general information on the tax ramifications of financing a college education. This should certainly help you get on your way to optimizing your tax situation.

Get to Know Your Financial Aid Administrator

Establishing a healthy relationship with your financial aid administrator will help ensure that he or she does everything to help you out. Additionally, this may help if you have any atypical expenses for which they may be able to make an allowance.

Start with Uncle Sam

The first financial aid form you complete should be the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Even if you know you won’t qualify for any aid, filling out this form is often the first step to applying for many types of aid including federal loans, state grants, and college scholarships.

Apply Early

Apply as soon after October 1 as possible. You can use estimates for items such as income if you have not completed your tax returns. (Financial aid is partially given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.)

Apply for Everything

You’ll never get the grants or scholarships if you don’t apply. There are many good scholarship search engines as well as many different types of scholarships out there. Chances are you will qualify for a number of these.