Posts by Chris Wills
FAFSA mistake will be fixed but data further delayed
The huge mistake on the new, redesigned FAFSA will be fixed, according to the Department of Education, but colleges won’t receive any student FAFSA information until sometime in March. The new FAFSA that launched at the end of 2023 has a calculation error that would have resulted in most families qualifying for less financial…
Read MoreNew FAFSA live
The updated FAFSA form for students attending college in Fall 2024 is now live, although this is during a “soft launch” period where the website may intermittently be down for updates. If families submit the form during this time, their information will be saved and provided to colleges in late January. If the new…
Read MoreFAFSA error means less financial aid for families
The new, redesigned FAFSA that will launch by the end of 2023 has a calculation error that will result in most families qualifying for less financial aid than lawmakers intended. The legislation that drove the FAFSA overhaul called for an increase to the amount of income that was shielded from the FAFSA calculation, otherwise…
Read MoreMusic Admissions 101
College Inside Track’s Dr. Heather McCowen was a featured panelist at a Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra workshop on everything families need to know about the music admissions process. Click here to watch the workshop
Read MoreFAFSA delayed
The FAFSA form for students entering or attending college in Fall 2024 would normally open on Oct. 1, but has been delayed until sometime in December due to the significant new changes being implemented. The Department of Education needs more time to update the application and the various calculations related to the updates. This also…
Read More5 things most families don’t know about before taking out student loans, but should
1 $31,000 is the maximum amount dependent undergrad students can borrow in federal direct student loans. Annual limits are: $5,500 in year 1 $6,500 in year 2 and $7,500 each subsequent year until the $31,000 overall limit is reached 2 You must complete the FAFSA to access the Federal Direct Student Loans and the Parent…
Read More3 ways families can lose financial aid
As if it isn’t hard enough to finance college, many families overlook the strings attached to maintain and not lose the financial aid they received freshman year. It’s easy to see how this happens. Families are grateful for any financial aid they get and simply assume it will be the same every year. But there…
Read MoreFree college for low-income Minnesota students
College Inside Track was featured on KARE 11 TV discussing the new Minnesota law that will make college free for low-income students. In the KARE 11 interview, CIT’s Chris Wills said around half of U.S. states have similar programs, some of which cover all state colleges and universities, and others only cover community colleges. …
Read More4 mistakes families make that increase the cost of college
While the rising cost is certainly a factor, it is often the decisions that families themselves make that cause them to unnecessarily pay more for college than they should (and potentially increase student debt). As hard as it might be, there are instances where a family needs to recognize a college-related decision will cost them…
Read MoreUnderstanding the College Financial Aid Award Letter
College Inside Track’s Cozy Wittman was featured in the Journal of Financial Planning, discussing ways to create transparency for families in the college funding process and better understanding the college financial aid award letter. Cozy explains in detail the college financial aid award letter, tips after receiving it, elements of good and bad letters…
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