Preparing for College: Exam Strategies and Beyond

In this episode: financial aid, college planning, standardized tests, tests optional, need meeting, and preparation.

This week we are re-joined by Brian Eufinger to discuss ways to best prepare your children for college admissions, navigating the new changes to FAFSA and the CSS profile, and how you can maximize when prepping for your child’s higher education. While college prep can be stressful for students, from maintaining their GPA to taking multiple standardized tests, it can be just as stressful for parents to figure out financial aid and how to best set up their child for success before and after graduation. However, knowing the factors to consider early on and having the knowledge in advance can make this process far less daunting! While stressful as it may be, remember that there are many different resources available to you and your child that give you the knowledge that may alleviate the pressures that come with college prep and financial aid! 

Brian Eufinger:

• Free diagnostic mock SAT and ACT tests (each weekend): www.edisonprep.com/mocks/
• Free information sessions on college admissions (6-7x / year, including one on 11/14 @ 7pm EST): www.edisonprep.com/infosession/
• How to self-prep for the SAT/ACT: www.gettestbright.com/self-prep-for-the-sat-act/
• Edison Prep Bios: www.edisonprep.com/bio/

Timestamps:

• 1:06 - Introduction
• 4:53 - The Impact of Merit Aid
• 11:49 - When, Where, and How to Think About Standardized Tests
• 18:33 - The Intersection of The School, Price, Opportunity, and Comfort
• 25:20 - Standardized Tests and The Reality of Preparation
• 31:08 - Tests (Not) Optional
• 37:32 - Governmental Forms and Financial Aid
• 46:43 - The Variance of Need Meeting and Aid Changes
• 51:13 - Preparation and Knowledge With College Planning
• 55:23 - Non-Academic Path to Savings
• 58:14 - Conclusion

Resources Mentioned In Today’s Episode:

• Demystify College Scholarships | Brian Eufinger | Edison Prep | ChooseFI Ep 114
• Hacking The FAFSA | Brian Eufinger And Seonwoo Lee | ChooseFI Ep. 154
• Major Financial Aid Changes Coming: What Families Need to Know
• FAFSA Changes Are Coming: What You Need To Know
• Big J’s Very Brief Guide to the FAFSA and CSS Profile
• How the FAFSA Simplification Can Impact Your Financial Aid
• Summary of Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA
• The $100K Glorified Sleepaway Camp | Millionaire Educator | ChooseFI Ep 386
• Subscribe to The FI Weekly!

More Helpful Links and FI Resources:

• Earn $1,050 or More With These 3 Cash Back Cards
• Share FI by sending a friend ChooseFI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
• Find a new side hustle with one of our Educational Courses
• Commission-Free Investing with M1 Finance