I’ve said over and over again to parents, “You’ve got to look at the statistics when it comes to paying for college.” Before the list begins, before the college visits start and before the applications are completed, you MUST know how much it costs and if you can afford to pay for it. You […]
Read More...HELPING PARENTS NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE MAZE
Posts Tagged financial aid
Should You “Follow the Money” When Choosing a College?
By Suzanne Shaffer on Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 | Comments Off on Should You “Follow the Money” When Choosing a College?
5 Ways to Save Money for College
By Suzanne Shaffer on Wednesday, October 12th, 2016 | 2 Comments
Saving money for school is getting more and more difficult as the prices of school tuition get higher and higher. While some students are given a free ride with an academic or athletic scholarship, others rely on their parents or grandparents to pay for school. For the rest, it is becoming a common occurrence […]
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10 Steps to an Affordable College Education
By Suzanne Shaffer on Sunday, August 28th, 2016 | 2 Comments
How can you assure that your student receives an affordable college education? I received this comment on one of my blog posts from a parent: I am so unprepared. I had no idea about the steps I should have taken. My daughter officially started class yesterday and I am struggling to figure out how […]
Read More...Wednesday’s Parent: Why Can’t I Attend My Dream College?
By Suzanne Shaffer on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016 | Comments Off on Wednesday’s Parent: Why Can’t I Attend My Dream College?
This past week, I’ve been discussing the financial aid awards and how they affect your student’s college choice. When those award packages arrive, it may be time for some tough love. The award may not be enough to justify sending your college-bound teen to her dream college. If your student asks this question, “Why […]
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What is Financial Aid Front Loading?
By Suzanne Shaffer on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 | Comments Off on What is Financial Aid Front Loading?
My fellow college expert, Wendy David-Gaines, shared some insight into this college practice. This article originally appeared on her site: 5 Questions to Ask About Financial Aid Front Loading. If you think your washing machine is the only front loader, watch out because your college may be taking you to the cleaners. Front loading […]
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Bummed About Your Financial Aid Award Package?
By Suzanne Shaffer on Thursday, February 25th, 2016 | 4 Comments
Picture this. A teenage daughter with her heart set on attending an expensive private college. A mother who knew it was simply not affordable unless the financial aid award package was substantial. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting for the package to arrive after she heard she was accepted. I’m sure this is the scene […]
Read More...Art Imitates Life: Opening the Financial Aid Award Package
By Suzanne Shaffer on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016 | 2 Comments
What’s more scarier and nerve-racking than waiting for the college decision? Opening the financial aid award package. Families all across the country are waiting for the arrival of their financial aid award, knowing that their student’s ability to attend college depends on the amount of the award. This is such a universal anxiety among […]
Read More...FAFSA Week: Reporting Parent Information on the FAFSA
By Suzanne Shaffer on Thursday, January 7th, 2016 | Comments Off on FAFSA Week: Reporting Parent Information on the FAFSA
Reporting parent information on the FAFSA might make you want to pull your hair out. If you are completing the FAFSA, some terms can confuse you. Today’s post addresses those questions in an effort to help you understand them more clearly and fill the ambiguous categories like divorced, separated, living together but not remarried, divorced and […]
Read More...Amping Up for the FAFSA
By Suzanne Shaffer on Monday, December 28th, 2015 | Comments Off on Amping Up for the FAFSA
If you have a college-bound teen, the FAFSA is how you celebrate the New Year. Honestly, not many parents celebrate filling out the FAFSA, but you should. The FAFSA is your golden ticket for college money. Without it, your student won’t get a dime (even many scholarships ask if you’ve completed the FAFSA). This […]
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