Small Business Owner Exclusion for Financial Aid Restored

small business owner exclusion

  The small business owner exclusion is back. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reversed a change made in the FAFSA simplification act, by reinstating the small business owner exclusion as part of the federal financial aid formula on the FAFSA. Beginning with any new FAFSA’s completed for the 2026-27 school year, the value…

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Why High School Success Doesn’t Always Translate to College

frustrated college student

  By Paige Feldman, College Inside Track   “They had stellar grades in high school without even studying, but now they’re really struggling in college.” This is a common story we hear from parents of high-achieving students. High school success doesn’t always seamlessly translate to college, especially at a demanding college institution.  Understanding the root…

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How to build a perfect college list

perfect college list puzzle

  By Paige Feldman, College Inside Track   Creating a college list can feel overwhelming. With over 2,500 four-year institutions in the U.S., the competition is fierce —top colleges are attracting more applicants each year, driving acceptance rates even lower. So, how do you craft a college list that’s perfectly balanced: not too vast, not…

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8 things to consider for prospective college athletes

college athletes

  Having a student as a prospective college athlete is an exciting opportunity that also expands what you need to consider when finding the right college fit. College Inside Track’s Cozy Wittman, whose daughter played college athletics, shares important things to consider:   Always keep eyes on the major and the educational piece It can…

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College application trends

college admission trends

  At College Inside Track, we regularly track emerging college application trends, and there are a few that we believe all students and their families should consider when compiling their final college list.   Test Optional Fact: Test Optional policies continue to be in flux.   Some schools are truly test optional; some are test…

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Student Loan Borrowing Limit Changes from the new budget bill

piggy bank with student loan borrowing limit

  The new budget bill has overhauled ways students and parents borrow for college. Here is a summary of the many student loan borrowing limit changes. New student loan borrowing limits for federal loans go into effect July 1, 2026. Note that the student loan changes below only apply to federal loans from the government,…

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New budget bill expands 529 Plans

extremely happy man

  The new budget bill expanded the uses of 529 Plans. This continues the policy trend of making them easier and more attractive to use. 529 Plans are investment accounts funded by after-tax dollars where the earnings grow tax-free and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are also tax-free. Withdrawals for non-qualified expenses are taxed as…

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The 5 Myths of College Costs

  How many purchases in life would you spend hours or even days on without knowing the cost? Imagine looking at homes or vehicles and obsessing over their details to find the right one, only to then be told the seller would get back to you on the price that they were customizing only to…

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Navigating Student Loan Changes

WCCO talking points

  College Inside Track’s Chris Wills was featured on WCCO Talking Points with Esme Murphy discussing the changing rules with student loans     0:00 Navigating changing rules for student loans 1:06 Collecting on defaulted student loan payments 2:24 What is a federal direct student loan? 3:10 Cautioning against parent-plus loans 4:03 Future of Biden’s…

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Federal Student Loan Collections Resume

college graduate

  For the first time since March 2020, the Department of Education will be collecting on defaulted student loans beginning on May 5, 2025.   The office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will encourage borrowers to begin making monthly payments, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or pursue loan rehabilitation. The FSA is also restarting…

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