subject: How to get College Financial Aid - Part Two [print this page] How to get College Financial Aid - Part Two
How to Get College Financial Aid
Simple Strategies for Every Situation
Part Two
In Part one, we discussed two of the eight strategies.
In Part two we cover the next three strategies.
3. Arrange Your Money
The amount of college aid you receive will depend on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC will be determined by your financial situation. That means that applying for financial aid is a little like paying your taxes. You want to make sure that when the powers-that-be pour over your financial situation, everything is arranged so that you have to pay the least amount possible.
You wouldnt dream of filing your tax return without first talking to an accountant to see what you can claim and where you can get the most write-offs. Look at the college financial aid forms the same way and discuss your situation with a college planning expert. Remember, the figures you present could have repercussions for the next four years and beyond. It pays to get it right from the beginning.
Wed be happy to help you present the best case possible to the financial aid administration.
Give us a call and ask us to help you maximize your awards!
4. Take Care When Filling Forms
This year, youre going to find yourself filling out seemingly endless amounts of forms. There are college application forms and scholarship forms, FAFSA forms and Profile forms. You name it, theres a form for it, and youll have to fill it out. And youll have to fill it out correctly.
When youre looking at the fifth form of the month, its just too easy to make a slip, enter the wrong figure in the wrong box and blow your chances of picking up the cash you deserve. Believe me; you dont want to be in the position of having to tell your child that he or she cant go to college this year because you messed up!
Financial aid is not just awarded to those who need it most. Its awarded to those who ask for it first. If you feel pressured by the huge mass of forms, if you think you might miss a deadline or make a mistake, ask us to help. It could be the difference between a huge college bill and a very generous award.
5. Turn Problems Into Solutions
Its not just colleges and state governments that can suddenly find themselves strapped for cash. Parents too, can unexpectedly find themselves out of work, losing a major client or with large medical bills to pay that put huge new pressure on their ability to pay college fees.
If you find that your economic situation has changed for the worse, dont just look at the dark side. That change could have a dramatic effect on your college financial aid application, making you eligible to receive more funds. Even if you already have a child benefiting from a college aid award, its always worth talking to a financial aid officer about any changes to your economic situation to see if you cant reduce your EFC and put your finances back on an even keel.
In Part three we talk about the 3 remaining strategies.
