3 ways families can lose financial aid

lose financial aid pockets out

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 More

Free college for low-income Minnesota students

Gordon Severson KARE 11 TV

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 More

Congratulations to Lilly Riedel, Luther College Class of ’27!

Congratulations to Lilly Riedel, Class of 2027, who will attend Luther College, a private liberal arts college in Decorah, Iowa. She will major in Law and Values. while also playing the cello for one of the many ensembles available to non-music majors. Now that Lilly has made her final college selection, she proudly says, “I…

Read More

4 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 More

Understanding 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…

Read More

FAFSA changes

FAFSA changes passed by Congress

  The COVID relief bill passed at the end of 2020 also included some significant changes to the FAFSA. The changes go into effect for the 2024-25 school year. The FAFSA for that school year opens on October 1, 2023 and will use tax information from 2022. And because the FAFSA is completed each year…

Read More

Highly Selective College Deferring and Suggesting EDII? Here’s What to Know

Deferred at your highly selective school, with an option to choose Early Decision II?  Here’s what you need to know. Numbers of applications submitted to Highly/Most Selective Colleges continues its strong upward trend during the currect application cycle.  Admissions officers have speculated a number of reasons for this much higher rate of applications.   Online learning…

Read More