Insider Tips for the week of October 4, 2025

What’s new with the FAFSA – The new FAFSA just opened for students who will be attending college Fall 2026, and the Dept of Education shared what’s new with this year’s form.

Some scholarships are taxable – Not all scholarships to pay for college are considered tax-free. Mark Kantrowitz explains the details.

5 college essays that worked – The admissions office at Johns Hopkins shares actual examples of well-written college essays. Even better, they include comments from the admission committee about how the essays helped them learn more about the students beyond the transcripts and lists of activities provided in their applications.

AP Calculus: What to know – For decades, high school students hoping to attend the most selective colleges in the country have received the same recommendation: Take the most rigorous courses possible. Yet Andrew Bauld explores whether taking calculus in high school gives you an admissions edge, and shares other paths to advanced math.

Campus profile: Georgia Tech – CIT’s Anne Weber shares observations from her recent college visit to Georgia Tech.