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Dear Mark,
As a parent of a high school junior, I’m starting to feel the weight of the college admissions process—especially the financial side. Between FAFSA, scholarships, and financial aid as a whole, I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the deadlines and requirements.
I’ve heard that missing key deadlines could cost us thousands in potential aid, and I want to make sure we’re taking full advantage of any financial assistance available. What are the most important things parents need to know about financial aid and scholarships? How early should we start, and what are some common mistakes to avoid?
Any tips to help break down this process in a way that won’t make my head spin would be greatly appreciated!
Signed,
Parent Trying to Make Sense of It All
Dear Parent Trying to Make Sense of It All,
First off—take a deep breath. You’re not alone in feeling like financial aid is a confusing maze, but I promise it’s one you can navigate successfully with a solid plan. Let’s break it down into simple, actionable steps so you and your student can maximize financial aid without losing sleep over it.
1. Start Early—Like, Now
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1 for the class of 2026. Many states and colleges give out aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting it as soon as possible gives you the best shot at grants, work-study, and low-interest loans.
💡 Action Tip: Create a FAFSA account now at studentaid.gov, and gather essential documents (W-2s, tax returns, bank statements) from prior-prior year, so you’re ready to hit “submit” ASAP.
2. Don’t Assume You Won’t Qualify for Aid
Even if you think your income is too high, fill out the FAFSA anyway. Colleges use it to determine institutional aid, and some scholarships require it. Families earning six figures still receive aid, especially at private colleges with generous endowments.
💡 Action Tip: Use the Net Price Calculator on each college’s website to estimate what you might pay after aid.
3. Know the Other Aid Forms
Some schools (mainly private ones) require the CSS Profile, which digs deeper into your financial picture for need-based aid. This form opens at the same time as the FAFSA but has different deadlines per college—so check early!
💡 Action Tip: Find out if your student’s target schools require the CSS Profile HERE.
4. Scholarships: It’s Never Too Early (or Late) to Apply
Scholarships can be the biggest financial win, but many families start too late. Some deadlines are in the fall of senior year (or earlier). Treat scholarships like a part-time job—just a few hours per week can yield serious money.
💡 Action Tip:
- Start local: Many community organizations, rotary clubs, and businesses have scholarships with fewer applicants. See Capstone’s Website for a list of local scholarship opportunities.
- Use reputable scholarship search engines. Capstone’s Website offers a pre-vetted list of trusted sites and a FREE Scholarship Tracker for download.
- Set a weekly scholarship goal (e.g., apply for 3–5 per week).
5. Watch Out for Common (Expensive) Mistakes
🚨 Missing Deadlines – Each college has different financial aid deadlines. Some are as early as November 1!
🚨 Skipping the FAFSA – Even if you don’t think you qualify, many schools require it for merit aid.
🚨 Not Comparing Financial Aid Offers – Schools structure their aid differently, and the first offer isn’t always the best. If your student’s top-choice school offers less than a similar college, ask for a reconsideration.
💡 Action Tip:
- Create a financial aid deadline tracker for each school your student is considering. List FAFSA/CSS Profile deadlines and scholarship due dates in one place.
- Every family working with Capstone Educational Consultants receives a comprehensive Financial Aid Award Comparison Audit Worksheet and Scholarship Tracker.
Final Thought: You’ve Got This
The financial aid process feels like drinking from a firehose, but breaking it down into small, manageable steps makes it much easier. Start early, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to ask colleges for help—their financial aid offices are there to guide you.
And remember: every dollar your student wins in scholarships is a dollar less than what they have to borrow later. A little effort now can save them (and you) a fortune in the long run!
Warmly,
Mark
Mark Cruver is the Founder of Capstone Educational Consultants in Peachtree City, GA. With over 20 years of combined experience in higher education admissions and independent practice, providing individualized college, career, and essay advising, Mark has assisted hundreds of students and families with their college admissions decisions as one of only six Certified Educational Planners in Georgia.
For more information, email Mark at [email protected]—he can help!
