By Marlene Seeklander Not all scholarships are considered “free money.” When you are awarded a scholarship, make sure you understand any terms and conditions. For example, some scholarships may require you to maintain a certain number of credits each semester and/or a minimum GPA, while some may have a “work commitment” as part of the requirements. […]
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By Catherine Mueller The FAFSA Submission Summary may be the unsung hero of the financial aid process. The FAFSA Submission Summary doesn’t get as much attention as the FAFSA application or as the financial aid offer, but it’s an important part of the process and may help a student find a college that’s a good financial
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By Marlene Seeklander Most students know that applying for scholarships takes a lot of work. Successful students know the time spent on scholarships is worth it because of the funds and recognition received. Scholarship America recently published a list of a few scholarships students may want to consider seeking, including: SMART Scholarship Program – This SMART
Scholarship opportunities to help students pay for college Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander The Federal School Code List – a key component of the FAFSA – has been updated by the Department of Education for 2026-27. The Department announced the availability of the 2026–27 Federal School Code (FSC) List of Participating Schools. Students enter these codes on the FAFSA in order for the postsecondary schools to
2026-27 Federal School Code List of Participating Schools Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander What exactly is the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculated by the FAFSA? While the SAI isn’t a new concept – it replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA – it may cause some confusion for students and families. The SAI, based on a range from –1500 to 999999, is
Student Aid Index – A deeper dive Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Student loans are an investment in your future. When you apply for financial aid and receive a financial aid offer from the college financial aid office, you may be offered student loans. A student loan is money you borrow and must repay with interest. Student loans can come from a variety of sources:
Understanding student loans Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Creating a StudentAid.gov account or FSA ID shouldn’t be an obstacle for students and contributors when completing the FAFSA. The FSA ID is a “key first step” to completing the FAFSA, and Federal Student Aid (FSA) has made updates over the past few years to make the process easier. Aaron Lemon-Strauss, Executive Director
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By Catherine Mueller Despite the government shutdown, students and parents can complete the FAFSA and financial aid will be processed on the regular schedule according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Department announced on October 1 that despite the lapse in appropriations to fund the federal government, there will be minimal impact on students, borrowers,
Students and parents can complete FAFSA during federal shutdown Read More »
By Marlene Seeklander Students have been able to complete the 2026-27 FAFSA since September 24, in advance of the official October 1 release date. Prior to completing the FAFSA, students and parents can go ahead and set up their account at StudentAid.gov, also known as creating an FSA ID. An FSA ID is the username and
Five tips to complete this important FAFSA first step Read More »
By Catherine Mueller Deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life can be rather scary. Choosing a career can raise many “what ifs.” For example: Going to college, deciding on a career, and choosing the right school can be overwhelming. The good news is that if you are thinking about the “what
Getting rid of the “what-ifs” when choosing a career Read More »
