Financial Aid
Now that the stress and excitement of selecting colleges and applying is behind you, the next phase of the admission process, funding an education, begins. Perhaps the most important bit of advice is to start early and submit all financial documents as soon after the first of the year as possible. Each college/university has its own financial aid reporting requirements and deadlines; your child’s acceptance and admission are dependent upon these materials being filed in a timely and accurate manner. Be prepared to fill out not only the FAFSA form but also a CSS Profile as well as an institutional form for select schools. Here you will find a listing of schools, their deadlines, and university codes. This should be helpful in managing your own timeline.
The following provides a brief summary defining some basic steps and terminology. You will also find listed some key websites that offer excellent guidance, providing answers to commonly asked questions. Should you encounter any problems do not hesitate to call the financial aid office at the individual college. The staff handles these issues daily and can readily answer most of your questions or help guide you to the most appropriate resource. It is also important to note that if you feel your aid package is inadequate, contact the financial aid office. Since your child has been accepted to the school, it is their job to help make sure you can pay for it. Financial aid officers are happy to speak to parents about the family’s financial situation, but it is to your advantage to take the lead in discussing the aid package. Based upon the information you provide, the financial aid office may decide to increase your aid award. Even if they can’t give you more aid, they can at least give you guidance about ways to close your financial gap.
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