FAFSA Hacks to Curb College Costs w/ The FAFSA Guru #755
Nov 29, 2023
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The FAFSA Guru joins the hosts to discuss critical changes to the FAFSA, costly mistakes divorced parents make, appealing a financial aid offer, and tactics for curbing college costs. They also touch on how financial aid is determined, correcting mistakes on the FAFSA form, writing appeal letters, and financial aid options for graduate students.
The FAFSA is being simplified, reducing the number of questions from 108 to 38 and introducing the Student Aid Index as a replacement for Expected Family Contribution, which will help expand Pell Grant eligibility and adjust the financial benefit for families with multiple children in college.
Filling out the FAFSA early and annually is crucial to increase chances of receiving more financial aid, as there are state deadlines and limited aid pools.
Consistently applying for scholarships, using specific search terms, and exploring additional opportunities from state higher education agencies and college academic departments can help reduce the burden of student loans.
Deep dives
The importance of filling out the FAFSA
The FAFSA is essential for accessing federal and state financial aid to help pay for education. Every student planning on going to college should fill out a FAFSA unless they have sufficient funds reserved specifically for college.
FAFSA simplification and changes
The FAFSA is being simplified, reducing the number of questions from 108 to 38. The changes include expanding Pell Grant eligibility, introducing the Student Aid Index as a replacement for Expected Family Contribution, and adjusting the financial benefit for families with multiple children in college.
Timing is critical when filling out the FAFSA
Filling out the FAFSA early increases chances of receiving more financial aid. There are state deadlines for the FAFSA, and certain aid pools are limited, so it's crucial to apply early. Filling out the FAFSA every year is important, as well as considering financial aid appeals and special circumstances.
Scholarships and outside-the-box strategies
Applying for scholarships consistently and using specific search terms can increase the chances of receiving awards. Checking with state higher education agencies and college academic departments can provide additional scholarship opportunities. Being proactive and consistent in the search for scholarships is key to reducing the burden of student loans.
Negotiating financial aid offers and appeal letters
Students and parents can appeal financial aid offers and negotiate for more aid. Sending a well-crafted, humble financial aid appeal letter can increase the amount of aid offered by the college. Reporting special circumstances that might affect the family's ability to pay can also be helpful.
Today we're diving into the dollar-saving-world of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA (which has seen some significant changes this year). Other than the cost of a hospital visit, nothing has skyrocketed in price like college tuition and fees over the past 20 years. You think your house or your new car is crazy expensive? Nope, just wait until your kid starts looking at colleges- that’s when the real sticker shock kicks in! And that’s why we’re excited to be joined by Tina Steele who is known as The FAFSA Guru. Tina is an expert when it comes to financial aid- she has decades of experience whether she was directly working for different public and private universities, leading a statewide initiative in Maine helping disadvantaged students to pursue college, or creating incredibly valuable videos for her YouTube channel. Today we discuss the critical changes to the FAFSA, who those changes helped and who they hurt, costly mistakes that divorced parents make, the best strategy for appealing a financial aid offer, and other tactics for curbing college costs.
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