Insider Tips for the week of December 7, 2024

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…

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FAFSA change for small business owners

small business owner

  Add small business owners to the group of people impacted by the recent FAFSA changes. Previously, the value of any privately held business, including assets, with less than 100 employees did not need to be reported on the FAFSA as part of its small business exclusion. However, that exclusion has gone away as part…

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Tips on the 6 trickiest FAFSA questions

student completing FAFSA on computer

The FAFSA is a quintessential government form, meaning it isn’t always as easy to understand as it should be. Far too many families make mistakes that are unnecessarily costing them money. Check out the following tips on how to tackle the 6 trickiest questions:   Schooling of parents The answer should be the last level…

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2025-26 FAFSA delayed

FAFSA delayed

  Another year, another FAFSA delay. The FAFSA form for students entering college in Fall 2025 would normally open on Oct. 1, but will instead be rolled out in phases and be fully available by December 1. The FAFSA will only be initially be available for testing with a limited number of students and institutions.…

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Insider Tips for the week of September 14, 2024

FAFSA delayed – The FAFSA form for students entering college in Fall 2025 would normally open on Oct. 1, but will instead be rolled out in phases and be fully available by December 1. Learn more from the Dept of Ed. High school activities for prospective engineering students – Stellar grades and test scores are only part of the…

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Insider Tips for the week of June 8, 2024

Explaining the SAI – One of the biggest mistakes we see families make in the college process is that they assume the number the FAFSA (or FAFSA projectors) provides them as their “student aid index” is what they will pay for college. Unfortunately that is not the case! Here are 5 important things to know about the student…

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Cozy Wittman on Wicked Pissah Podcast: College Planning

College Planning with Cozy Wittman: Wicked Pissah Podcast, Episode 191 In this episode, Brad Wright and Jeff Tomaneng are joined by Cozy Wittman. Cozy is an education and partnership leader at College Inside Track. Cozy speaks nationally about college search, educating families and training financial advisors and other professionals who work with families with high…

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College Planning Changes for Grandparents

grandparent happy about fafsa changes

  Contributing to college has become more attractive for grandparents after a number of significant changes to how grandparent contributions are treated on the FAFSA. According to financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz, cash contributions from grandparents, including distributions from grandparent-owned 529 plans and direct tuition payments to colleges, will no longer hurt a student’s eligibility…

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Insider Tips for the week of March 16, 2024

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 valuable…

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Major changes to the college process in 2024

graduation ceremony

  This past year has resulted in some of the most significant changes to the college planning process in decades. Admission trends have changed how colleges admit students, there are substantial changes to the FAFSA and college financial aid that may make college more expensive for middle class and affluent families,  but also provide attractive…

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