It's Almost Time to Apply for Financial Aid

It is time to begin thinking about filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . The FAFSA, to be issued on January 1, 2010, will be available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or via hard copy by request only. Filing online is highly recommended for both speed of transmission and accuracy of information.

There is no automatic income cut-off level for financial eligibility, so I recommend that you apply even if you think you will not qualify. The only sure way to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid is to file the FAFSA. The likelihood of being eligible for some form of financial aid may be better than you think.

Some common financial aid myths include:

• Only students with high GPAs get all the aid
• If your older son or daughter did not qualify for aid, then neither will your other children
• Only extremely needy students can receive financial aid, so if your family income is high, then don't bother to apply

The primary responsibility for paying for a student's education rests with the student and his family. Financial aid programs are only intended to assist students and families with their college costs.

Students - Keep Track of Your College Applications

Colleges receive a ton of mail. As a result, there will be a delay between the moment a student's application material arrives at the college and the time it is processed and placed in the student's file. DON'T PANIC if you receive a note or email from a college saying that pieces of your application are missing. Colleges typically send these notices if the material is not in the student's file. That does not mean it is not in the admissions office somewhere. It is important, however, that students follow through and make sure that the college has received all of their material by using the either the college's application status link to check if their information has been received or by telephoning or by sending an email to check on the status of their application.


From a large public university: "I wish I had a photo that I could send you of the thousands of pieces of mail sitting in bins waiting to be processed."


From a mid-size private university: "We track mail received per day by app type. -Last year in November we received 900 frosh apps. - It took us four days to open this mail, let alone count, stamp and date it."


From a private college: "Typically we receive more than half our applications right at the deadline. They are processed in the order they arrive, and it takes us about 3 weeks to get all of the applications processed and in files."

Making the Most of a College Application

The college essay, personal statement and short paragraphs are important parts of the college application. Further, by the time students apply, they are usually the only parts of the application that the student still has control over. If these statements are written with care, they can help the student to stand out from other applicants and to present a dynamic, personal and memorable view of the student to the admission staff. Students should plan on writing many drafts of their essay.

Essays that try to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered-down. Students should remember that it is not about telling the admissions committee what they have done - can admission representatives can pick that up from the student's list of activities - instead, it is about the student showing the admissions committee their unique qualities and characteristics.

Here are some important essay tips:

• Do not tell the reader what you think the reader wants to hear. You will be wrong!
• Do not use one hundred words when ten words will tell your story just as well, if not better.
• Do not forget to proofread.

Proofread again! It is the student's critical responsibility to proofread their entire application, including the essay before hitting the submit button or putting it in the mail. The easiest way to proofread an application is to read it out loud, not to yourself, but actually out loud. When possible students should print a preview of their application to proofread out loud , and then it keep for their files.

Competitive College Applicants

A competitive college applicant challenges himself and makes the most of opportunities. Thought and consideration should be given to the high school courses students take. If students are capable of more advanced coursework "coasting " in easier classes may boost their GPA, but it will not impress. Good grades in less challenging courses often lead to unrealistic expectations on the part of students and families.