Source: Flickr user concordnc.
For answers to the first set of questions published Oct 21), please click here.
For nearly 20 years, I have been working with students of different backgrounds, academic abilities, and socioeconomic groups, helping to guide them through the college process.
Over this time, I’ve answered some very interesting questions. I’ve helped students with a variety of subjects. That includes crafting strong college applications to incredibly specific questions about financial aid policy.
I know that each student’s college search is unique and comes with its own challenges and questions.
That’s why I am incredibly excited to announce College Raptor’s new #CollegeAnswered Q&A initiative.
The idea is simple: This is a platform for students, parents, or even counselors to ask questions about the college search, college admissions, or financial aid. Whether it’s specific questions about certain schools and their policies, or general questions about finding the right fit, I’ll do my best to answer.
Ask your questions
You can ask your questions in one of four ways:
- Tweet your questions using the hashtag #CollegeAnswered
- Post on our wall or message us on the College Raptor Facebook page
- Leave your question below in the comments
- Email your question to [email protected]
We’ll be collecting these questions and then I’ll answer as many questions as I can. The questions and answers asked by others will be published on the College Raptor blog.
If you include sensitive information in your question (financial details, etc) or otherwise don’t want your name to be included, please specify so when asking your question.
Now, ask away!
Some colleges say that they will meet all financial need, meaning, I believe, that the parents will not have to take out a 2nd mortgage or a bunch of parent plus loans to cover their kids’ college costs. I once saw a list of these colleges; there were about 60-65 of them. One was Northwestern University. NU is my alma mater and I can attest that they WILL meet the unmet need with grants for anyone who qualifies to be admitted. What are the other school that claim to do this, and do they really?
Lynell,
My son is a freshman in college and he is thinking about switching schools. He was awarded a few merit scholarships and private scholarship. Since he does not have any official grades, If he switches schools, what wold you recommend the best path to get new merit scholarships and possibly a few private scholarships?
My parent who makes 2x as much as the other will loose their job at the end of the year.
If they have not found another or get one with a lower salary/ how do we submit for financial aid? Does the new salary count or the old one?
If one applies Early Decision, is it possible to then back out if the financial package from the institution is weak?
I am divorced. I have joint custody of my son, aND currently he lives with me about 60% of the year.
My ex makes about 7 times my salary. He has indicated that he would not contribute to my son’s educational expenses, beyond what he has already put in the educational savings account. When we fill out the FAFSA, will both parent incomes be included? Is there any way to reflect the lack of support? If it were just my income, he would qualify for large amounts of financial aid. Are there any legal ways to navigate the FAFSA and maximize the amount of financial aid you can receive?
For FAFSA purposes, in a divorce situation, the parent that the student lived with the most in the last year from the day you fill out the FAFSA form is the parent’s information that is used.
So in this case, it would be just your information that would go on the FAFSA form (unless you are re-married and then it would be your current husband’s info to go on the form too). None of your ex-husband’s tax information would be used.