Insider Tips for the week of December 7, 2024

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

FAFSA now live – The new FAFSA for students attending college Fall 2025 is now live. Read our tips on how to tackle the 6 trickiest FAFSA questions.

Current college trends – CIT”s Cozy Wittman discusses a wide range of college planning topics on the “Wicked Pissah” podcast, including how to find a good fit and finding schools that provide scholarships. Listen to the episode here during your drive or workout!

What does a test score mean anymore? – Jeffrey Selingo explores the evolving role of standardized tests in admissions, and the three different policies colleges have with testing. A well-written piece highlighting both sides of the debate.

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 a college that might have the most appeal, with the goal of laying the groundwork for a mature conversation that may involve some discomfort but provide a beneficial amount of transparency. Learn how to do the exercise, and give it a shot with your student.

Campus profile: Arizona State University – CIT’s Tiffany Eggers shares observations from her tour of Arizona State University.