Tag Archives: FAFSA

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.

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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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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.

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Top College-Related Searches Parents Made in 2025

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If you’ve been helping your teen prepare for college, chances are your Google search history looks a lot like most parents’ right now. From the cost of college to the turbulence around the 2024–25 FAFSA rollout, certain topics are spiking in search because families want clarity fast.

Here’s a roundup of the top college-related searches (and why). More importantly, you’ll find what you can do to get ahead of the stress and support your student confidently.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

Understanding the Nuances of Applying for Financial Aid

Navigating the financial aid process can feel like wading through a maze of forms, deadlines, and unfamiliar terms. It can seem overwhelming for many parents, especially first-time or first-generation college families. But with a little guidance, you can make a significant difference in your student’s ability to afford college. Let’s break it down step by step to help you confidently tackle the process.

1. Know the Key Financial Aid Forms

The first step in applying for financial aid is understanding the forms you must complete. The most common ones include:

  • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is the gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Many states and colleges also use FAFSA information to determine their aid packages.
  • CSS Profile: Some colleges, particularly private institutions, require this additional form to award institutional aid. It digs deeper into your family’s financial situation than the FAFSA.

Make sure to check the requirements for each college your child is applying to and note whether they require just the FAFSA, or both forms.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

When Your Financial Aid Award Isn’t What You Expected

financial aid award

As parents, we often have high hopes and expectations for our children’s education, and financial aid plays a crucial role in making those aspirations a reality. However, what should you do when your student’s financial aid award isn’t what you anticipated?

In this guide, we’ll explore steps you can take to address the situation and ensure your child receives the support they need for their academic journey.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

Another Delay for the FAFSA

FAFSA

Another FAFSA delay, yet again.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that colleges and universities won’t receive students’ FAFSA information until at least early March. The delay, they said, is the result of the department’s decision to fix an error in how a student’s eligibility is calculated.

In its statement announcing the latest delay, the department also acknowledged that students can’t currently make corrections to their forms and wouldn’t be able to do so until the first half of March.

“With this last-minute news, our nation’s colleges are once again left scrambling as they determine how best to work within these new timelines to issue aid offers as soon as possible,” Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Aid Administrators, said. “Financially vulnerable students shouldn’t be the ones to pay the price for these missteps.”

An Education Department website lists a host of other issues on the new form that are affecting applicants, echoing parents’ frustrations over the last month.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

FAFSA Frustrations and Questions

FAFSA

It’s been a busy holiday season culminating with the availability of the new FAFSA. Let’s just say it’s been anything but seamless for parents and students.

Monitoring Facebook groups, I’ve noticed so many frustrations with the new form. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s new and everyone is not too sure about the simplified format, or the instructions just aren’t clear, which is a distinct possibility. Whatever the case, the questions online are prolific.

My best advice: take it slowly. Read every section carefully and if you don’t understand, search for answers at StudentAid.gov.

From NerdWallet, here are its five most-confusing aspects, and strategies to deal with them — so you can submit your form ASAP.

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college planning, FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships

6 Financial Aid Mistakes

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Financial aid is on the minds of every soon-to-be college student and their families. Will you qualify? How much will you receive? How do you apply? How do the colleges disperse the aid? No matter where you are in the college application process, you should avoid these six financial aid mistakes that could cost you thousands.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, parenting

Step-by-Step FAFSA Filing

FAFSA filing

Completing the FAFSA® form is the first step to obtaining federal student aid to pay for your college or career school. Follow these eight simple steps for FAFSA filing to set your student up for success and submit the form on time. 

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