"Expert Financial Aid Consultants"

Happy new year to you all!  Now that 2012 is upon us, it means something else major is too: financial aid season.  Given all of this, now is definitely the time to increase your awareness of the financial aid process.  As a starter, let’s kick things off with a few important reminders. 1).  File your [...]

THE CSS PROFILE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING!  Well, at least for those of you who opted to pursue Early Decision/Early Action for you college applications.  We recently talked about Early Decision/Action applications coming due, and now that November 1st has passed, students who chose that path have other documents to put on their to-do lists.  Next [...]

We’re reaching the middle of the school year, and for students, that means a few things: midterms, finals, winter break…and some important dates!  We’ve covered early decision, and now it’s time for FAFSA.  For those new to the financial aid game (and for those who need a refresher!), financial aid season starts at the beginning [...]

Happy weekend, all!  Now, you all know (or should, anyway) that the FAFSA takes the cake in terms of important financial aid documents.  College students know they need to submit it, they know the FAFSA is required by the government for federal aid, but students rarely have the inside scoop on everything FAFSA. Queue fafsa.gov.  [...]

Howdy, everyone!  Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?  Many young people want to pursue higher education but they don’t know if such a goal is within their grasp.  We understand.  College is an expensive investment…Probably one of the most expensive you will ever be responsible for, if you factor in all four years.  BUT [...]

You’ve been accepted to college, perhaps applied for financial aid (if not, we recommend reviewing the financial aid process) and now that the application madness has ceased, your head has stopped spinning long enough to wonder about a few things.  For instance, “What should I expect from my financial aid package?”  Well, let’s figure that [...]

You’re finally headed down College Street and looking forward to what lies ahead.  Opportunities are endless—where you want to go to school, what you want to study, experiences and activities are there for the taking.  But you know you will need help getting there.  You opened your wallet and flies just emerged; it’s that empty.  [...]

So you finished applying for financial aid, huh?  Congratulations.  Now it’s waiting time.  You’re eager to find out what financial aid you will receive for school, and if you were eligible for specific aid types.  Luckily, students may often check on their financial aid status of applications while they wait for the official student aid [...]

So you’re going to be applying for financial aid for college, eh?  Well, did you know that there are people out there who professionally deal with applications and advice for the FAFSA and CSS Profile?  A person who professionally works with students and financial aid is called a Financial Aid Consultant (FAC).  While the mere [...]

The CSS Profile–perhaps an even bigger mystery than the FAFSA.  While all schools require a completed FAFSA, the  College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile is used mostly by private colleges as a financial aid supplement.  Its purpose is to determine each individual’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile looks for other types [...]

I remember gearing up to graduate high school so I could make the huge step into college. My family was extremely excited and supported me in every way. However, none of them could tell me what the admission application process for college was like because much of my family never attended college. Whether you are [...]

Growing up, I am sure you have heard it time and time again: practice makes perfect. When it comes to financial aid for college, your FAFSA cannot be anything less than perfect (for your wallet‘s sake!). In order to avoid delays or miss out aid you qualify for, why not practice? While applying online is [...]

You’ve spent years studying, writing papers, and stacking up those extracurricular activities in hopes of wooing the college of your dreams. Now that you have that acceptance letter in hand, life couldn’t be better…until you receive a bill that is probably larger than any bill you have ever had in your lifetime. Tuition, room and [...]

When applying for financial aid, the number and complexity of the required financial aid forms varies by school. As a general rule, private schools typically require more in the way of financial aid forms, including generally a CSS/Financial Aid Profile, which is administered by College Board. These additional and more complex forms are meant to [...]