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Insider tips for the week of March 1, 2021
Huge change for grandparents contributing to college – The FAFSA changes included in the December COVID relief bill contain a HUGE one for grandparents: Cash contributions from grandparents, including distributions from grandparent-owned 529 plans, will no longer hurt a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Check out our article on this significant news. How…
Watch Shanti when she learns she has been accepted to a pre-med program!
How does it feel to get your first college acceptance? Watch Shanti when she learns she has been accepted to a pre-med program! Shanti Dayton acceptance
“How Many AP or IB Classes Should My Child Take?”
It’s that time of year: high school students are arranging their class schedules for next term. One of the most common questions we hear is: “How many AP or IB classes should my child take?” Q: Kelly will have completed four AP classes by the end of this year, as a junior — AP US…
Insider Tips for the week of February 1, 2021
I’m worried my child won’t get into a good college – The Atlantic’s Lori Gottlieb writes an important piece about how we as parents help our children address disappointment in the college process, but more importantly, in life. From the moment kids are born, they take their cues from the adults around them about…
Pick One! Project-based Applicant Development
College Inside Track consultant Greta Van Ochten discusses the work of Pick One, College Inside Track’s project-based client development program. Pick One kicks off this week with a client webinar, for students in 9th through 12 grade. Tell me about the CIT Pick One program. College applications are increasingly asking questions related to…
Insider tips for the week of January 4, 2021
FAFSA changes – The COVID relief bill passed at the end of 2020 also included some significant changes to the FAFSA, including how multiple students in college are treated and how divorced parents complete it. While the changes do not go into effect until the 2023-24 school year, that year’s FAFSA will use tax…
1.5 MIN VIDEO: “Why Was I Deferred, and What Do I Do About It?”
The admissions landscape for seniors now includes a record number of deferrals. “Colleges defer for one of two reasons,” says CIT Consultant Lessa Scherrer. “Either they need more information, or they’re not sure you’ll enroll.” Watch this quick video for best strategies for dealing successfully with your deferral. “Why Was I Deferred, and What Do…
“Uh oh!! I have to put my deposit (for X) down NOW at a college?!” Liar Liar #3
Q: “I have to put my deposit down NOW at a college, or we’re going to lose our chance at the best (dorm room, parking spot, first year courses …) A: CIT Consultant Suzy Fallon’s advice to parents who are feeling the pressure to put down money NOW: Resist the pressure! “If you’re even remotely…
4 last-chance financial aid strategies for parents
Now that the FAFSA uses tax return information from two years before a student’s high school graduation year, families of current HS juniors (2022 grads) will use tax information from 2020 when they complete their first FAFSA in the 2021-2022 school year. This is a huge deal because whatever those families are doing (or not…
Insider tips for the week of December 7, 2020
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire – In our new “Liar Liar Pants on Fire” series, College Inside Track consultants debunk some of the claims we’re hearing about college admissions. We would love to address some that YOU’RE hearing, too! Tell us yours in the Comments section. We will respond with specific and factual info,…