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Welcome to the College Admissions HQ Blog where you’ll find essential information and resources to help you be successful in the college admissions process.
Pell Grants: A Guide to Coming Changes
Federal Pell Grants are usually the first form of financial aid awarded to students with high need who attend schools that participate in the federal student aid program. There will be big changes in the next three years to how a student’s financial need is determined. Here’s what to expect regarding Pell Grants. (Continue Reading)
Your EFC: What It Is, How It’s Calculated, and Why It Matters
As families start to dip their toes into the murky waters of the college application process, there’s one thing that’s crystal clear—college is very expensive and getting more expensive every year. A family’s best safeguard against being pulled underwater by college costs is to fully understand how the financial aid system works. (Continue Reading)
Discover Your Likely Net Price Before You Apply
With the cost of college-going through the roof and college debt growing at an alarming rate, Net Price is rapidly becoming the most important factor to consider when deciding on which college to attend. Learn how to arrive at a likely Net Price at any college of interest before applying. (Continue Reading)
Don’t File the FAFSA Until You Read This!
On October 1, 2021, the federal government released the 2022-23 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and with it came the usual onslaught of warnings that students and parents must submit their FAFSA as soon as possible or they’ll miss out on much-needed dollars. However, while smart to file early, don’t submit the FAFSA until you take action to qualify for the most financial aid possible. (Continue Reading)
FAFSA Verification: Who Gets Selected and What to Do if It’s You
Each year, the US Department of Education requires that a selected group of students give their college’s financial aid office supporting documentation for some or all of the financial or other information they reported on the FAFSA. This practice is called FAFSA Verification and can be scary for parents and students. Although many FAFSAs are selected for verification randomly, you can reduce your chances of being chosen if you follow certain guidelines. And, if you’ve reported your information honestly and accurately, a verification notice should be nothing to worry about. (Continue Reading)
Are You On the Same Page About College Costs?
8 Essential Money Questions for Every College-Bound Family There are many exciting things to talk about when you begin the college admissions process, but often left out of college discussions are critical questions about what college actually costs, who is responsible for paying those costs, and what student loan debt really means for the family. Establish your family’s financial ground rules before applying to college with answers to these 8 questions. (Continue Reading)
Seven Smart Ways to Save Real Money on College Costs
There are some simple, smart ways you can save real money, even tens of thousands of dollars, in overall college costs. Not every option we offer is right for every family situation; but it is absolutely true that every family can find real savings using at least one of the following seven strategies. (Continue Reading)
The College Financial Aid Roadmap When Parents Are Divorced, Separated, Unmarried, or Remarried
College financial aid is difficult enough to navigate, but it’s even murkier when parents are divorced, separated, unmarried, or remarried. This is the situation for an increasing number of students and parents, who are often paying more for college because they don’t understand how the rules apply to them. Here’s what students and their divorced, separated, unmarried, or remarried parents need to know. (Continue Reading)
Make the Most of Your College Visit
How to Make Your College Visit Really Count Choosing the colleges you want to apply to is exciting! Your research brings to light opportunities, experiences, and a world of possibilities open to you at different colleges and universities. As you begin to whittle down your choices, consider how a college visit can both significantly enhance your research and demonstrate your interest to the college. (Continue Reading)
Get the Best College Recommendation Letter
3 Keys to Amazing College Recommendation Letters! Letters of recommendation are an important piece of the application for colleges that require them. The best college recommendation letters provide valuable insight into you as a student and person that aren’t found in other parts of your application. Follow our 3 simple guidelines to get letters of recommendation that really make a difference. (Continue Reading)
Ace Your College Interview!
Four Steps to a Successful College Interview The college admissions interview is a tremendous opportunity for you to add color and depth to the basic facts of your application and the chance to set yourself apart from other applicants. An interview also gives you the opportunity to ask questions that will help you decide if that college is right for you. With the right preparation, you can ace your college interview and tip the scales of acceptance in your favor. (Continue Reading)
Unpacking Your Financial Aid Award
8 Clues to Understanding What a College is Really Going to Cost You Your financial aid package may look satisfactory for your freshman year, but to get an accurate estimate of the TOTAL cost of your 4-year degree, pull out your calculator, call the college’s financial aid office, and get the answers to these 8 questions. (Continue Reading)
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Paying for college shouldn't be harder than going to college!
This no-nonsense, user-friendly book by College Admissions HQ reveals a host of strategies that empower families to significantly reduce college costs.
The 2023 Edition is fully updated for the 2023-24 school year and includes a chapter that prepares you for the big changes coming to the FAFSA and college financial aid in the 2024-25 school year.
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