We originally posted this blog when the changes were announced in April. Since October is in right around the corner, we want to remind you of the FAFSA changes. One of the most important items to note is that the FAFSA form will be rolling out sometime in December and... read more →
Sep
22
Sep
15
We have to warn you. The competition for your student is fierce. Many parents already know what we’re talking about. When your student reaches high school (often after they register for their first ACT or SAT exam), the deluge begins. The snail mail, email, phone calls, social media, and more... read more →
Sep
07
Determining financial aid is based on a family's "need." Need is determined by looking at a family's income and assets (and, in some financial aid applications, expenses like medical bills). Families often think of real estate as an asset, but real estate can take different forms--the primary residence, a second... read more →
Aug
31
August always seems to bring a fresh perspective on finances and life. The long days of summer are winding down and you might be feeling that classic “back to school” energy – whether you have kids in school or not! Of course, as adults, we don’t get a back-to-school shopping... read more →
Aug
25
West Virginia University – that state’s largest public “flagship” university – recently announced that they’re cutting several academic programs due to a multi-million-dollar operating deficit. This announcement sent shockwaves through the college planning industry. Some applaud their efforts to reduce the budget, which ideally will lower the price tag for... read more →
Aug
18
Updated August 2023. If your goal is to keep the cost of college down, it's critical that your student graduates in four years. The average price of college tuition today is: $39,400 at private colleges $10,940 at public colleges (in-state residents) $28,240 at public colleges (out-of-state residents) Adding another year... read more →
Aug
11
This fact may shock you...in recent years, the college dropout rate is up to 32.9%. Undergraduate freshmen have a one-year dropout rate of 24.1%. These numbers are startling, especially for parents with high hopes that their children will attend college and thrive. How can we make sure students are financially... read more →
Aug
04
If federal student loans are part of the plan to pay for college (and for most students they are!), college entrance loan counseling will also be on the “to-do” list for students heading to college. Years ago, students were expected to read the paperwork about their loans and were responsible... read more →
Jul
21
For many families, paying for college is a cash flow problem. The reality is that parents will be receiving a $25,000 to $60,000 bill they've never dealt with before every six months for the next four years! Hopefully, scholarships will help pay for a good bit of this bill if... read more →