When we see darkly – when we don’t have enough information – making a decision and moving forward with our lives is difficult.

If you’ve ever faced a life-altering or even a small decision you know how stressful it can be.

Maybe you want to please someone else. Maybe you are afraid you’ll regret the decision. Or maybe you have too much or not enough information.

With college decision day this week, students are making important life decisions and may be a little overwhelmed as they plan for their education.

At the same time, financial aid professionals are finding themselves in a similar situation – trying to prepare for the 2026-27 academic year without the information needed and unsure about some of the information they do have.

If this year’s situation should bring anything to light, it is the hard work and dedication of financial aid professionals, who despite all the changes and the delay of detailed regulations, have continued to show up to work to make sure students have what they need to commit to their institution and embark on a promising future.

And that commitment – both from students and from financial aid professionals – should not be taken lightly.

– By Catherine Mueller