Category Archives: financial aid

FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, paying for college

The 2027–28 FAFSA Is Here: What’s Different This Year?

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2027-28 FAFSA

If you’ve filled out the FAFSA in the past, you may be wondering:

What’s actually different about this year’s FAFSA?

The 2027–28 FAFSA is now available, and while it isn’t the dramatic overhaul we saw when the FAFSA was redesigned a few years ago, there are several changes parents and students should know about.

The U.S. Department of Education says the latest updates are designed to make the form easier to understand, reduce errors and rejected applications, and make the process smoother for families.

If you’re a parent of a high school senior applying to college for fall 2027, here’s what you need to know before you start.

Continue reading The 2027–28 FAFSA Is Here: What’s Different This Year? →
FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, paying for college

The 2027–28 FAFSA Is Open: What Parents Need to Know Before Filing

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If you have a high school senior heading to college in fall 2027, it’s time to add one more important item to your college-planning checklist: the FAFSA is open.

Yes, already.

The 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available. This is the FAFSA students will use to apply for financial aid for the 2027–28 academic year, which runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028.

If you’re a parent who has been through the FAFSA process before, you may be thinking, Didn’t we just do this?

Pretty much. The FAFSA is something families generally complete every year a student wants to be considered for federal financial aid.

And if this is your first time, don’t panic. The process can feel intimidating, but getting organized before you begin can make it much easier.

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admissions, college prep, financial aid, paying for college, scholarships

Colleges Offering Free Tuition: What “Tuition-Free” Really Means for Families

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colleges offering free tuition

When parents hear the words “free college tuition,” it’s easy to picture a college bill that comes to $0.

And while there are colleges where students can attend without paying tuition, “tuition-free” and “college-free” are not necessarily the same thing.

That distinction matters.

College costs go far beyond tuition. Families may still have to pay for housing, meals, books, transportation, health insurance, fees, and personal expenses. The federal government defines a college’s cost of attendance as including expenses such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, food, and housing. It also points out that cost of attendance isn’t necessarily what a family actually pays. The student’s financial aid offer and resulting net price are much more important.

So, if your college-bound teen is searching for colleges offering free tuition, don’t stop at the words “free tuition.”

Look at the entire financial picture.

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financial aid, financial planning, Guest Posts, Student debt, student loans

Managing College Debt: Student Loans and Retirement Goals

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Your child gets into a college they love. Then you open the financial aid offer and realize how much the family would still need to borrow.

Before accepting those loans, decide what you can contribute while keeping up with essential bills and retirement savings. Leave emergency money available. Your child needs a clear budget, including how much debt each of you could reasonably repay, before the family commits to the school.

For U.S. families considering loans for the 2026–27 academic year, that conversation also needs to account for new Parent PLUS borrowing limits and repayment restrictions.

Continue reading Managing College Debt: Student Loans and Retirement Goals →
college planning, financial aid, financial planning, student loans

Federal Student Loan Changes: What Parents Need to Know in 2026

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federal student loan changes

Paying for college has never been simple, and recent changes to federal student loan programs have made it even more important for families to understand their options before borrowing.

Whether you’re a parent considering a Parent PLUS Loan or a student preparing to accept federal loans, knowing what’s changed can help you make smarter financial decisions that could save thousands of dollars over the life of a loan.

Here are the most important federal student loan changes families should know.

Continue reading Federal Student Loan Changes: What Parents Need to Know in 2026 →
college costs, college planning, FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, Resources

25 Colleges That Offer Full-Ride Financial Aid Based on Family Income (2026 Guide)

full-ride financial aid

If you’re worried that your family’s income is too low to afford college, here’s some encouraging news: many colleges now guarantee free tuition—or even a completely free education—for students whose families fall below certain income thresholds.

These programs are different from merit scholarships. Instead of rewarding grades or test scores alone, they’re designed to make college affordable based on financial need.

The best part? Some colleges cover tuition only, while others provide full-ride financial aid that includes tuition, housing, meals, books, and even personal expenses.

If you’re creating your college list, these schools deserve a close look.

Continue reading 25 Colleges That Offer Full-Ride Financial Aid Based on Family Income (2026 Guide) →
financial aid, financial planning, in the news, Student debt, student loans

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Changes the Way Families Pay for College in 2026

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one big beautiful bill

For years, many families relied on federal student loans to bridge the gap between financial aid and the true cost of college. If scholarships, grants, savings, and federal student loans weren’t enough, parents often turned to Parent PLUS Loans to cover the remaining balance.

That strategy is about to change.

Starting on July 1, 2026, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces the most significant changes to federal student loans in decades. While many headlines have focused on new loan limits and repayment plans, the real story is how these changes will affect the way families plan, budget, and pay for college.

If you have a child entering college in the next few years, now is the time to rethink your college financing strategy.

Continue reading How the One Big Beautiful Bill Changes the Way Families Pay for College in 2026 →
college costs, financial aid, scholarships

How to Find Scholarships on TikTok: A Smart Guide for Students and Parents

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scholarships on TikTok

If your teen is already spending time on TikTok (and let’s be honest, most are), there’s a great opportunity hiding in all that scrolling.

What if some of that screen time could actually pay for college?

More students are discovering scholarships on TikTok through short videos, quick tips, and real-time opportunities, but knowing how to find legitimate ones is key. Students are finding real opportunities, learning insider tips, and even getting reminders about deadlines, all in quick, digestible videos.

But like any online tool, it works best when you know how to use it wisely.

Let’s break down how your student can find scholarships on TikTok by turning it into a smart, effective scholarship search tool without falling into common traps.

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admissions, college guidance, college planning, financial aid, parenting, Resources, Student debt, student loans

How to Help Your Teen Make the Final College Decision: A Parent’s Guide

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final college decision

The May 1 decision deadline is approaching and you and your student are carefully weighing your final college decision options:

  • Do you choose the least expensive college, but not the first choice?
  • Do you choose the college that costs more because it’s their first choice, knowing you are creating financial difficulties for your family?
  • Do you play it safe and commit to the college that gives the most aid, even though it was one of the “safe” ones on the list?
  • Do you take a deep breath and jump at the dream college, hoping you will find a way to pay for it?

Those were my family’s choices twenty years ago and although it was difficult for my daughter to accept, we learned some lessons along the way that might help you as the May 1 deadline approaches.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, merit aid, Resources, Student debt, student loans

Financial Aid Explained for Parents: FAFSA, Student Loans, Grants, Merit Aid & Award Letters

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For many families, understanding financial aid feels more stressful than the college application process itself. Between unfamiliar terminology, changing FAFSA rules, and confusing award letters, parents often struggle to determine what college will actually cost.

This guide breaks down how financial aid works, what each type of aid means, and how parents can confidently compare college offers.

Continue reading Financial Aid Explained for Parents: FAFSA, Student Loans, Grants, Merit Aid & Award Letters →