financial aid

Should I Apply for Financial Aid After I Get Accepted or Before?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on February 26, 2025

The financial aid process may heap more stress atop an already trying time for many high schoolers. However, if done correctly, financial aid applications can be completed without stress. The months leading up to your freshman year of college will whiz by. It can seem like there’s not enough time to do everything. Because of …

financial aid

What Counts As “Demonstrated Need” For Financial Aid?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on February 26, 2025

There is a common misconception in the minds of many college students: They believe they do not qualify for need-based aid based on their family’s income. But the definition of “need” is actually a little more flexible than what income bracket your parents’ finances fall into. When a college or scholarship requires you to show …

financial aid

Financial Aid Timeline: Know What to Do and When

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 13, 2024

The financial aid process can be a bit daunting. Different forms of aid have different formalities, eligibility requirements, and deadlines. The key to benefiting from the various financial aid opportunities is to understand and keep track of the requirements and deadlines. Financial aid is typically distributed on a first come first served basis, so the …

financial aid

What is the Pell Grant?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 26, 2023

Between scholarships, federal aid, and loans there is a lot to do before heading to college in the fall, but one thing you don’t want to forget about is the Pell Grant. It’s one more reason to complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. But what exactly is it? What Is the …

financial aid

What’s the Difference Between Need-Based and Merit-Based Aid?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

College can be quite expensive, which means you’re looking for ways to afford it. As you look for aid to help pay for college, you’ll hear a lot of phrases and acronyms. These are two phrases you probably hear a lot while you’re researching scholarship and financial aid opportunities: need-based and merit-based. But what is …

financial aid

How GPA and Test Scores Affect Financial Aid Opportunities

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on March 4, 2025

Over the course of your high school career, people have probably told you to make sure you keep your grades up. You’ve probably stressed about your standardized test scores and your GPA. Those two factors play a very large role in the college admissions process. But do better grades result in better financial aid opportunities? …

financial aid

Bad Excuses for Not Filing for Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025

No matter the reason, everyone should be filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application For Federal Student Aid, each year. Here are a few bad excuses we’ve heard students give when asked why they didn’t complete the application: I Won’t Qualify The number one reason that students or parents don’t complete the FAFSA is that …

financial aid

How Will My Parents’ College Savings Affect My Financial Aid?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

You’re applying to colleges and finally got to the part about financial aid. Calculating financial need is a complicated process. There are so many factors that go into it that families might not always expect. One of these factors, your parents’ college savings accounts, is frequently an area of great concern to parents and students …

financial aid

I Didn’t Apply for Financial Aid Last Year, Will that Hurt My Chances for Next Year?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on February 26, 2025

Financial aid is always a tricky business. There are so many questions surrounding the process: How do I apply? When are the deadlines? How do I complete the FAFSA? And what if you didn’t apply last year? Some students may be concerned about their chances of receiving financial aid awards if they didn’t apply for them the year …

financial aid

What are Front-Loaded Financial Aid Packages?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

A vast majority of students in the United States receive some sort of financial aid when paying for college. This aid can come in many different forms, from scholarships, both private and publicly funded, grants, federal aid, and private aid companies. Needless to say, students should be 100% certain of where their money is coming …