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College Inside Track Alumni Newsletter – Winter 2021

  FAFSA changes – The COVID relief bill passed at the end of 2020 also included some significant changes to the FAFSA. While the changes do not go into effect until the 2023-24 school year, that year’s FAFSA will use tax information from 2021, so there are current day considerations. And because the FAFSA is…

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…

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,…

Insider tips for the week of November 2, 2020

  A simple way to start the college conversation with your teen – Bestselling author Jacques Steinberg and Eric Furda, dean of admissions at UPenn, have developed a practical exercise for parents and students to undertake together. They recommend using simple index cards to begin the process of looking inward at the specific attributes of…

Coronavirus College Resources For Families

The already complicated college process just became more challenging for families in the wake of COVID-19. Campus visits are cancelled, ACT test dates are postponed and more changes every day. How does a family conduct a search and choose a college in this new environment? College Inside Track is here to help and below is…

College Inside Track Alumni Newsletter – Fall 2020

  When you get the text “I don’t feel well…” – Scott Sager writes about the challenging moment parents of college students face of not being right around the corner anymore when your son or daughter is sick. Check out his 5 suggestions in the moment and 4 recommendations for the next time your student…

Insider tips for the week of October 5, 2020

  Expert tips on getting the most scholarships – Suzy Fallon from College Inside Track shares the secret sauce for how families can maximize scholarship dollars. Key takeaway: Each college has its own financial aid philosophy and you want to find those that match with your student’s profile. Take a few minutes to read this…

Insider Tips for the week of July 6, 2020

  Understanding the new Common App COVID question – The Common App has added new, optional COVID-related writing sections for students and their school counselors to allow them to share with colleges and universities how they have been affected by the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know.   15 reasons to ignore college rankings…

What to do about Fall – 4 tips for families with students already in college

    Kansas City in the fall is a beautiful place to hang out, the leaves change over a period of weeks, it is generally warm and it is just a cool city. It is also the city my daughter made home during the last 3 years at the Conservatory at UMKC.    Like many…

Insider tips for the week of June 8, 2020

  College admissions advice and helpful tips to help you navigate the process:   My ACT keeps getting canceled – What am I supposed to do? – Recommendations on what to do if your ACT is canceled, how it will affect the college admissions process, and a list of test center cancellations.   3 tips…