calculating college costs: plan for FAFSA & CSS Profile
Attending college is expensive, even if your family has built a nest egg or has a 529 account. Becoming familiar with "College Financial Aid" terminology and utilizing tools like the Federal Student Aid Estimator can make estimating college costs easier and clarify if you qualify for need-based financial aid, which is different from merit aid. It will also help you prepare and gather the relevant information and documents to complete the FAFSA form and know if you need to complete a CSS Profile, which some schools require.
Understanding financial aid terminology and utilizing tools like the Net Price Calculator, which can be found on each college's website, will help you find answers to your financial need questions and help you assess if an Early Decision application path is viable and the right plan for you. It will also help prepare you for the FAFSA process, available December 1st. In the past, it was available on October 1st. This pushback in availability results from the long-anticipated updates to simplify the process, which unfortunately had a difficult rollout last year. If you have a student applying Early Action or Early Decision to a school that participates in or requires the CSS Profile, you will want to know the submission deadlines for each school you're applying to. The deadlines are located on each school's website. Additionally, you will want to know the deadlines for completing the FAFSA® Application Deadlines for your state, which can be found here.
From the Federal Student Aid Website:
“How To Prepare for the 2025–26 FAFSA® Form
Prepare now so you can complete the 2025–26 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Here are some ways you can get ready:
Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.”
FAFSA® 2025–26 slated to open December 1st. Learn more about the new form timeline.
Applicants can access forms and dates here:
FAFSA form at fafsa.gov.
The CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile). Used for Merit Aid.
If you are a student applying or returning to college, these articles and questions will help you get started completing your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile.
What is the difference between need-based and merit aid, and will I qualify for financial aid – either need-based or merit aid?
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?
What documents will I need to start filling out the FAFSA form?
How do I fill out the FAFSA form?
Looking for more tips and inspiration to help you start your college journey? dream.search.apply.A Field Guide for an Inspired College Journey packed with insights and resources to help you navigate your college path, is now available to order online.
Subscribe today for more tips and articles about the college search and application process.
Have more questions or looking for more support? Email me at dane@collegeu.solutions
Visit the college.u Financial Resources page for more resources and articles.
updated 11.2024
Σχόλια