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The good news is in! Your child received his or her acceptance letter(s).  Next, what you were waiting for - the college financial aid award letter. Lots of parents are surprised to see what the school offered and sometimes were expecting to contribute less to tuition costs than indicated on the financial aid award letter. If you fall under this category, and have had a significant change in income status due to the pandemic or other contributing factors, you don’t have to just accept the award as it. The award letter is just an offer. You can accept, decline, or appeal any part of the financial aid award.

 

Topics: College Financial Aid, Financial Aid Award Letters

 

Topics: Scholarships, College Financial Aid, College Planning, Parents and College Planning

 

Topics: College Financial Aid, College Planning, Parents and College Planning, FAFSA

 

Topics: College Financial Aid, College Planning, Parents and College Planning, FAFSA

Understanding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may seem like a challenge at first. Once you add the complexity of a special circumstance or  divorce, completing the FAFSA may feel like a down right headache.

Although your situation may seem like receiving financial aid is impossible, don't let it stop you from putting your best foot forward. You are not the only person experiencing this state of affairs and most likely you won't be the last. Here are a  few examples of special circumstances and how to handle them when completing the FAFSA.  

Topics: College Financial Aid

Follow this simple step-by-step process to make sure you qualify for as much college financial aid as possible.

Topics: College Financial Aid

FAFSA season is here, and getting an early start is the best plan of action.

Topics: College Financial Aid, College Planning, Parents and College Planning, FAFSA

'Tis the season to talk financial aid and the experts from our College Planning Center have been talking about financial aid with students and families, one-on-one, as well as in group presentations at local high schools almost daily since September and are still going strong.

Topics: College Financial Aid, Financial Education for Students, Parents and College Planning, Applying for Aid

EFC is the acronym for Expected Family Contribution, which answers the question, how much will college cost my family? This is not an easy figure to arrive at, without knowing the factors and figures needed for the formula, but with the help of our EFC Calculator we can walk you through this step-by-step in just a few minutes so you can arrive at an early estimate before receiving your award package.

Topics: College Financial Aid, College Planning, Applying for Aid, FAFSA

The RISLA College Planning Center will once again be hosting FAFSA Completion Events across the state of Rhode Island to help students, parents, and adult learners with completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA, formally known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the first step to applying for college financial aid. All schools use this application for awarding federal student aid dollars and many also use it for awarding their own institutional funds. EVERYONE should complete a FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.

Topics: College Financial Aid, College Planning, Parents and College Planning, Applying for Aid, FAFSA