Tag 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.

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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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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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college costs, financial planning, Guest Posts, Student debt, student loans

Your Parent PLUS Loan Is Capped—Here’s the Lever Parents Can Still Pull

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If you’re using the Parent PLUS loan to plan your finances around your student’s college this fall, you’ll notice the new upper limit that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act now enforces.

As we covered when the hard caps took effect, from July 1, 2026, onward, the bill limits borrowing to $20,000 per student per year, with a total limit of $65,000 per student over the course of the whole degree.

The change will become apparent once the 2027-28 FAFSA opens on October 1, and it’s worth starting to plan for it already.

Our earlier piece delves into how you can find more sources of money for college, including scholarships, aid appeals, borrowing conservatively, and net price comparisons.

Here, we’ll look at a complementary strategy: how you can reduce the amount you have to pay for your student’s college fees.

Continue reading Your Parent PLUS Loan Is Capped—Here’s the Lever Parents Can Still Pull →
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.

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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.

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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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admissions, college costs, college planning, financial aid, financial planning

How Rising Tuition Is Reshaping What College Costs

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If you’re the parent of a college-bound teen, you’ve probably heard the same thing again and again: college costs are rising. Tuition goes up. Fees go up. Housing and meal plans? Also up. And if you’ve ever found yourself staring at those numbers, wondering how families are expected to keep up, you’re definitely not alone.

Tuition increases are changing the entire college-planning conversation for families. Understanding why it’s happening and what it means for your teen’s future can help you plan more confidently.

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college costs, college planning, financial aid, financial planning, student loans

How America Pays for College

how america pays for college

Families reported spending an average of $30,837 on college during the 2024–25 academic year—up 9% from $28,409 last year and a return to pre-pandemic spending levels, according to “How America Pays for College 2025,” the annual study by Sallie Mae and Ipsos. Family income and savings covered nearly half of costs (48%), followed by scholarships and grants (27%), borrowing (23%), and contributions from family or friends (2%).

For more detailed information beyond the graphic above, you can download the full report here.

financial aid, financial planning, student loans

Private Student Loans: A Smart Option for Parents Bridging the College Funding Gap

private student loans

For many families, even after financial aid, scholarships, and federal loans are applied, there’s still a gap between what college costs and what’s covered. That’s where private student loans can be a helpful solution. While they often get a bad reputation, private loans can be a valuable tool for parents who want to support their child’s education—especially when used thoughtfully and strategically.

The Benefits of Private Student Loans

  • Closing the Funding Gap: Private loans allow families to cover costs that federal loans and savings can’t. This ensures your child doesn’t have to compromise on the right school or program simply because of finances.
  • Potentially Lower Rates: Parents with strong credit can often qualify for competitive, even lower, interest rates compared to federal Parent PLUS loans. This can save significant money over the life of the loan.
  • Flexible Amounts: Unlike federal loans, which have borrowing limits, private loans often allow you to borrow enough to cover the full cost of attendance.
  • Fast Processing: Many private lenders offer quick approvals and disbursements, which can ease the stress of looming tuition deadlines.
  • Customizable Repayment Options: Some lenders offer a range of repayment plans, including options to make interest-only payments while your child is in school, helping keep balances manageable.
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