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Insider Tips for the week of November 1, 2025
Activities that impress colleges the most – Parents often wonder what type of activities their student can participate in to impress college admission officers most. CIT’s Paige Feldman explores this common question through the lens of impact, and what really matters most. A valuable read. The truth about rejection by elite colleges – Michelle Kretzschmar explains the reality is…
College Preparation Tips and Tricks
College Inside Track’s Cozy Wittman was a featured guest on the Household CFO podcast discussing college preparation tips and tricks. The college landscape has changed dramatically over the past few decades. What used to be a straightforward decision between public, private, in-state, or out-of-state options has evolved into a far more complex — and more flexible — process.…
Navigating the College Decision
Choosing a college is one of the biggest financial and personal decisions families face. Cozy Wittman from College Inside Track joined WCCO to share how to approach the college decision with both heart and strategy. In the interview, Cozy emphasizes that families should look beyond college rankings and focus on fit — academic, social, and…
Considering College Financial Fit First
So many important factors converge in the college selection process, yet one of the most critical ones is far too often ignored. Amy and Mike from the Tests and the Rests podcast, invited College Inside Track’s Chris Wills to make the case for considering college financial fit first. What are five things you will learn…
Mythbusters: Merit Aid
Cozy Wittman of College Inside Track and Ann Garcia, the College Financial Lady, played Mythbusters about merit aid. Listen to the podcast episode to get the full scoop on who gets merit awards, where and why. Families just starting the college search process won’t want to miss Cozy’s detailed and engaging explanation of how merit…
Small Business Owner Exclusion for Financial Aid Restored
The small business owner exclusion is back. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reversed a change made in the FAFSA simplification act, by reinstating the small business owner exclusion as part of the federal financial aid formula on the FAFSA. Beginning with any new FAFSA’s completed for the 2026-27 school year, the value…
Why High School Success Doesn’t Always Translate to College
By Paige Feldman, College Inside Track “They had stellar grades in high school without even studying, but now they’re really struggling in college.” This is a common story we hear from parents of high-achieving students. High school success doesn’t always seamlessly translate to college, especially at a demanding college institution. Understanding the root…
How to build a perfect college list
By Paige Feldman, College Inside Track Creating a college list can feel overwhelming. With over 2,500 four-year institutions in the U.S., the competition is fierce —top colleges are attracting more applicants each year, driving acceptance rates even lower. So, how do you craft a college list that’s perfectly balanced: not too vast, not…
8 things to consider for prospective college athletes
Having a student as a prospective college athlete is an exciting opportunity that also expands what you need to consider when finding the right college fit. College Inside Track’s Cozy Wittman, whose daughter played college athletics, shares important things to consider: Always keep eyes on the major and the educational piece It can…
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…