The College Whisperer™ | Navigating The Road To College

Showing Tag: "fafsa" (Show all posts)

Now Comes FAFSA Time!

Posted by Seth Bykofsky on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, In : Paying for College 

DON'T LEAVE MONEY FOR COLLEGE ON THE TABLE!

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required by every college for consideration of financial aid, including Federal Student Loans and Grants, college-specific need-based aid, and, in many instances, merit-based awards.

The FAFSA for the 2023-24 school year is now available. Regardless of State or college deadlines, the FAFSA should be completed and submitted as early in the process as possible in order to maximize financial aid, pa...


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FREE College Planning Workshop | April 20

Posted by Seth Bykofsky on Monday, February 10, 2020, In : College Planning 



Colleges once considered “safety” schools have become “reach.” The application process, seemingly simple back in the day, is now overwhelming. And the cost of college, well, let’s just say that arm and leg may not cover it. What’s a high school student (or parent) to do?

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:30 PM, the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island will play host to a free college planning workshop, where high school students and their parents will get the inside scoop on how to...


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A Spring Break "To Do" List

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 18, 2019, In : College Planning 
Wondering What To Do Over Spring Break? Read On...
Remember, college application and admissions season is closer than it appears in the rear view mirror. Check out College Connection's College Planning Packages (or create one of your own). Then, give us a call (516-345-8766) with your questions, concerns, or to schedule a college planning & counseling session in the comfort of your home (Long Island, NY and environs) or remotely. 
At College Connection, we've got ...

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The College Whisperer 4.0™

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, In : College Planning 

Pssst! Got College Plans? Then you need this guy. . . The College Whisperer™ - That warm and fuzzy teddy bear who comforts you from angst, anxiety, and stress.
The College Whisperer™ - That ferocious pit bull, tenacious in getting you into the right college, and helping you find the money to pay for it. The College Whisperer™ - At six pounds four ounces (weight may vary)


If this is how applications, admissions, paying for college, an...
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Prelude To College Applications: A Primer On Getting Started

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, June 9, 2018, In : College Planning 


If there is a single question The College Whisperer™ is asked most about the college application process, it is, "Where do I begin?"

My typical response is, "At the beginning, of course!" ;-)

Seriously, though, getting started down that long and winding road to college admissions, as it is with many things in life, is often the most difficult part of the journey.

So, what will follow below is a basic (very basic, as in, just to give you a push) primer -- a "To Do" list, if you will -- to set y...


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The Knowledge Of College In Black, White, And Shades Of Gray

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, May 22, 2018,

College is closer than it appears in the rearview mirror!

That said, here is a short list of required reading as we prepare for yet another exciting college application season:






And, for those who are absolutely enamored...

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Free College Planning Workshop

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, January 11, 2018, In : College Planning 



College Planning 101 | The Knowledge of College

Monday, May 21 2018 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island

38 Old Country Road, Garden City, New York 11530

    Space Is Limited | REGISTER TODAY at www.tfaforms.com/319156

...
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What High School Juniors (and even Sophs) Should Be Doing Now!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, In : College Planning 

At College Connection, we help you navigate the college application, admissions, and financial aid maze. We welcome the opportunity to work with you, should you choose to use our college planning and counseling services.
 
Meanwhile, you can get a jump start on those college plans.

It's not too early to start planning and preparing for college. In fact, the time is just right...

READ, High School Juniors: This Is Your Moment! 

Questions? Concerns? Leftover turkey and trimmings? Give a holler. We a...


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On Turkeys, Tuition, & Trolling For Scholarships

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, In : Paying for College 

Almost time to stick that Thanksgiving turkey in the oven (and can that Christmas music be far behind?). [By all rights, if the heralding of Christmas (1 day) begins the day after Halloween, the festivities for Chanukah (8 days) should start right after Valentine's Day. Just sayin'... ]

Early Action. Early Action II (like hitting the snooze button?]. Regular Decision.Now is the time to put those finishing touches on the yet unsubmitted applications. Dot the i's. Cross the t's. Answer the optio...


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Free College Planning Workshop | Garden City, NY | October 26

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 5, 2017, In : College Planning 



WHAT: College Planning Forum For High School Students & Parents

WHEN: Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island | 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 

WHY: Because the more you know, the better prepared you'll be!


Whether planning for college, applying to college, paying for college, or just thinking about college, this workshop is a must attend for high school students and their parents.

Seth Bykofsky, a/k/a The College Whispere...


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Info On FAFSA for 2018-19

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 14, 2017, In : Paying for College 



The FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the 2018-19 school year launches on October 1. [Just like Common App went "live" on August 1, that doesn't mean you should complete and submit the first day, or even the first couple of weeks. Give FAFSA time to work out the kinks, like the issues with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which was hacked last year.]

YES, you WILL be submitting the FAFSA, regardless of income and assets, real or perceived. Colleges use the FAFSA to calculate...


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College Planning & Counseling | Now's The Time!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 24, 2017, In : College Planning 

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY:
 Save $500 on our Ultimate College Planning Package! Just $4000 complete, now through April 28. [Payable in 8 monthly installments of $500.]
 
Don't wait until the beginning of your Senior year to begin the college application and admissions process. Get started NOW!
 
Here's just some of what our college planning and counseling package includes*:
 
 
      ·         Comprehensive college plan customized to student’s needs and           goals                               ...

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Ethical Humanists of Long Island to host The College Whisperer™

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 20, 2017, In : College Planning 

Seldom are the words “ethics” and “humanity” heard in the same breath as “college admissions,” but on Wednesday, March 22nd at 7:30 PM, the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island will play host to a college planning workshop, where high school students and their parents will get the inside scoop of how to choose the “best” colleges, the ins and outs of the application and admissions process, writing persuasive essays, and navigating the maze of financial aid ...


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The Road To College Starts Here!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, In : College Planning 

FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOP

Navigating The Application Process ~ Admission Strategies
Persuasive Essays ~ Financial Aid Essentials
Wednesday, March 22, 2017  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island
38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS

College Connection, Official Sponsor of College Admission Success™, offers a FREE College Planning & Admissions Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore...

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Guide To FAFSA | FAFSA Deadlines

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, In : Paying for College 

FAFSA COMES EARLY FOR 2017-18!
 
Two important reads regarding the completion and submission of the FAFSA, the starting point for college financial aid...
 
Filing The FAFSA: The Edvisors' Guide to Completing The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
 
3 Types of FAFSA Deadlines You Should Pay Attention To
 
And for those who are applying to colleges that require the submission of the CSS Profile (in addition to FAFSA, required by all colleges, every year), read on:

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FAFSA | Don't Pay For College Without It!

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, October 1, 2016, In : Paying for College 

Yes, FAFSA! Required by every college, not only for student loans, Work-Study, and federal grants, but, in many instances, for institutional aid, including the colleges' own scholarships and merit awards!

FAFSA FACTUAL

FAFSA COMES EARLY FOR 2017-2018! Launch is October 1 of current year, rather than January 1 of next year.

Who must submit FAFSA?
 YOU must submit FAFSA!

Incoming freshmen/Current high school seniors.
 Complete and submit your first FAFSA for the 2017-18 school year on or after Octobe...


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Got College Plans? Get A College Plan!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 15, 2016, In : College Planning 

COLLEGE CONNECTION, Home of The College Whisperer and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success, offers comprehensive college planning and counseling. Guidance and support in choosing a college, getting in to college, and finding the money to pay for college, all while taking the stress, the worry, the frustration and the madness out of college applications and admissions.

At COLLEGE CONNECTION, we’ve not only got your back, we’ve got your best moves forward!

From college mat...


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Before You Say YES To Any College. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, In : Paying for College 

A word to the wise regarding those college acceptances -- wait until AFTER you receive your financial aid awards from ALL colleges you've been accepted to, BEFORE you say YES to any college!

The next step in the college admissions game (after you've submitted the last of your applications) is to get the money you need to pay for college. 

If you have received that coveted letter (or email, text, Tweet) and you've been accepted to the college of your choice, congrats! Now sit back, relax, an...


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FREE College Admissions Workshop | March 14 | Garden City, NY

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, In : College Planning 

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS

  • Choosing Colleges That Are “Best” For You
  • Navigating The Application Process
  • Admission Strategies
  • Winning Essays
  • Financial Aid Essentials & Scholarship Sourcing

College ConnectionOfficial Sponsor of College Admission Success™, offers a FREE College Planning & Admissions Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore such topics as choosing a college that’s a “best” fit for you, the intricacies and nuances of...


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FAFSA | Just Do It!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, December 3, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Yes, FAFSA! [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] Required by every college, not only for student loans, Work-Study, and federal grants, but, in many instances, for institutional aid, including the colleges' own scholarships and merit awards!

FAFSA FACTUAL

Who must submit FAFSA? YOU must submit FAFSA!

Incoming college freshmen/Current high school seniors. Complete and submit your first FAFSA for the 2016-17 school year on or after January 1, 2016*.

Those already in college. Graduate students...


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None So Need-Blind: The College Fin Aid Conundrum

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Much has been bantered about, in social media, on campus, and around the family dinner table, on the subject of paying for college. Rightfully so, at a time when college seems out of reach for all but the uber-wealthy and those living in abject poverty.

So the question is often asked, "Do colleges consider financial need when making admission decisions?"

Many colleges, in fact, most, boast that they are "need-blind" in the admissions process, meaning that they do not consider whether you will n...


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Paying For College: The Financial Aid Shell Game

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 9, 2015, In : Paying for College 

“...How can I be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes? First.. get a million dollars...” -- Steve Martin

The financial aid “gurus” love to tell you that they can lower college costs, get you more money for college, and find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Everything from shifting assets to Aunt Dottie and Uncle Moe, to deferring contributions to your retirement accounts, in the collegiate equivalent of the street corner shell game. Now you see money for college. Now you don’t!...


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Jump Start Your College Scholarship Search!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, In : Paying for College 

College scholarships. Read as, FREE money for college!

You’ve read about them. You’ve heard about them. You may even get emails, texts, and Tweets to apply for them. But what are you doing to actually get a college scholarship -- or two, or three, or four?

In all likelihood, not much, if anything at all.

“Oh, no one every wins those.” “You have to be poor to get a scholarship.” “Too much work.” “Wait. There are scholarships?”

You’ve heard the excuses. And no, it may not be e...


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Tying Up Loose Ends On The Financial Aid Front

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 5, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Welcome to February! The Ground Hog has seen your college application and... Okay, you tell me what the Ground Hog said. 

Meanwhile, on the financial aid front, a few tips and critical reminders:

- You MUST submit a “CORRECTED” FAFSA once you have filed your 2014 income tax returns. [The FAFSA Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is now available. It may be utilized approximately 10-days after you file your federal tax return, if filed electronically.]

- If you will be attending a college physically lo...


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Free College. An Idea Whose Time Has Come -- Again!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 12, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Back in the day, when I was a student at Queens College, the jewel in the crown of the City University of New York (CUNY), there was no tuition. A college education was, in fact, “free.”

I remember, when during the course of my tenure at QC, CUNY administrators instituted what they believed to be a modest “consolidated fee” of $250. Oh, the tumult created on campus. The near hysteria. The protests on the quad, orchestrated, as I recall, by the then president of the University Senate, J...


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What To Do Over Winter Break

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, December 27, 2014, In : College Planning 

Yes, school is out. HOORAY!

But before (or after) you hit the beach -- or the slopes -- here are a few things “To Do” during the break:

1. High school Seniors: Put the finishing touches on those college applications still waiting to be submitted, and, by all means, SUBMIT! [Be aware of those deadlines. They mean it!]

2. Follow up on submitted applications (most colleges have Application Trackers on their web portals) to make certain they are complete. [Transcripts, letters of recommendation,...


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Turning Winter Break Into Money For College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Be productive during your winter break from high school or college. Search and apply for college scholarships! [Scholarships are not just for high school seniors, or students already in college. Yes, there are scholarships open to high school juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen.] Check out fastweb.commeritaid.com, and zinch.com, for starters. 

College Prowler
one of the premier college scholarship search engines, is now Niche. More scholarship opportunities. Better matches. Increased opp...


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Next Up, FAFSA!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, December 8, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Applying to college for the fall of 2015? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, can be completed and submitted on or after January 1.]

Already in college and planning to attend college or grad school in the fall of 2015?
 
YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [Yes, FAFSA MUST be submitted each year for the following school year.]

Been awarded a scholarship from a college or want to apply for scholarships offered by a college? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Vying for merit...

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What Cost, College?

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, November 15, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Factored into what colleges you should apply to, and, ultimately, which college to attend, must be the cost of four or more years of higher education. [How's that money tree doing?]

So, how does one cut through that seemingly bottomless pit of calculating the true cost of college, let alone comparing the bottom line of one college to another? And, once the cost of college is revealed, where does one find the funds to foot the bill?

First Step, College Cost Calculators.
 All coll...


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So, You Missed The Early Action Deadline

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, November 2, 2014, In : College Applications 

No Big Deal!

Sure, somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% of prospective college students will be accepted via Early Action/Early Decision. Yes, had you applied Early Action, (a) most or all of your college applications would have been completed and submitted before Thanksgiving, (b) you would have increased your chances, though only slightly in most instances, of being accepted by the college of your choice, and (c) you'd typically have an admission decision in hand (or in your email inbox) som...

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SAT Scores; Early Action; Financial Aid; Upping The Ante

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, In : College Admissions 

SAT Scores: A reminder that scores for the October SAT are now posted at www.CollegeBoard.org. Official scores must be sent to those colleges requiring same via the College Board website. [Note: If the Early Action Deadline is November 1, scores should be sent "RUSH" (additional fee applies).] 

Early Action Deadlines: Be aware of Early Action (EA) Deadline dates. Do NOT wait until the actual deadline date(s) to submit your applications. 

Naviance: For those high schools utilizing Naviance, be s...

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SAT Scores, ACT Scores: AP Scores; Scoring $100

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, In : College Applications 

As college application deadlines loom on the horizon, here are a few pointers to help you complete the process. Remember, there's more to applying to college than simply clicking "Review and Submit" on Common App!

Test Scores --
 Nothwithstanding the unofficial reporting of test scores to colleges via Common App, prorietary applications, and SSAR (where required), the ONLY test scores considered for admission by colleges are the ones officially submitted via College Board (SAT, SAT II, AP) and ...

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College Connection Update - October, 2014

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 2, 2014, In : College Planning 

Welcome to October!

A new month means that it is time, once again, to enter College Prowler's $2000 "No Essay" Scholarship Contest. [And while you are on the College Prowler site, be sure to check out the many other scholarship opportunities!] REMEMBER: If you don't apply, you won't get money! (And scholarships are NOT just for high school seniors!!!)

In other news, an "on point" article on college rankings, as appeared a couple of years ago in The New York Times, is just as relevant today. Che...

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The College Whisperer™ 4.0

Posted by College Connection on Monday, June 16, 2014, In : College Planning 
Pssst! Got College Plans? Then you need this guy. . . The College Whisperer™ - That warm and fuzzy teddy bear who comforts you from angst, anxiety, and stress.
The College Whisperer™ - That ferocious pit bull, tenacious in getting you into the right college, and helping you find the money to pay for it.
The College Whisperer™ - At six pounds four ounces (weight may vary)



If this is how applications, admissions, paying for college,...
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As Exciting As Watching Paint Dry

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, In : College Planning 

Helping students get into colleges that are the best fit for them is Job 1 at College Connection. And right alongside is an endeavor of near-equal import: helping students find the money to actually pay for the colleges they've worked so hard to get into!

Most kids are excited, though somewhat nervous, about the college application and admissions process. Once they start getting into it -- Common App, personal essays, supplements, and all -- most find that what they thought would be an ordeal ...
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College Scholarships: Sweeter Than The Sweet Sixteen

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, In : Paying for College 

The brackets will soon be set in stone for college basketball's 64, with the March Madness countdown to the Sweet 16 and the Final Four, but how about the money you need to foot that tuition bill?

Now that the college acceptance letters are beginning to roll in, The College Whisperer is amazed by just how many college-bound students abandon the search for money to pay for college.

Sure, you've filed your FAFSA (hopefully), and registered at Fastweb and other scholarship search engines, but h...
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FREE College Planning Workshop, March 26

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, March 8, 2014, In : College Planning 
Jump Start Your College Applications!

When
:
 Wednesday, March 26, 2014,  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Where: Ethical Humanist Society -- Auditorium
             38 Old Country Road
             Garden City, New York 11530

WhyBecause getting in to college has become more competitive than ever, and the application process increasingly complex. You need to be in the know and prepared to go!

College ConnectionOfficial Sponsor of College Admission Success™, hosts a free College Planning Workshop. Open to stud...
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Take Your College Applications Seriously

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, In : Just for Fun 

The college application and admissions process and the entire collegiate industrial complex? Not so much!



Going to college is a great experience. Shouldn't getting there be at least half as much fun?
- - -

Plan. Prepare. Prevail!  

Before college applications, the Common App, CSS Profile, FAFSA, financial aid forms, and the whole college application and admissions process get to you, you need to get to us! 

Whether applying to college, paying for college, planning for college, or just thinking a...


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A Shopping List Of College Costs

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 13, 2014, In : Paying for College 

First came the Net Price Calculator. Then came the College Score Card. Means of comparing and contrasting college costs, which, all too often, turned out to be akin to comparing the cost of apples to the cost of a brand new Ferrari.

And now, enter the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet, a tool designed to inform students, and their parents, as to the details of their financial aid awards. 

Ahh. Could it be that after slogging through the CSS Profile (enough to make a financial analyst's head spin) an...
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Got College? Get A (529) Plan!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 6, 2014, In : Paying for College 

We all know just how important it is to plan for college. Choosing the right colleges to apply to, and, ultimately, that one college that is the right fit for you. Developing and writing a compelling essay. Finessing those college applications and supplement. Conquering the Common App. Avoiding the pitfalls. Navigating the detours. Handling the stress and anxiety. Keeping from being overwhelmed by that crazy whirlwind of a ride they call the college application and admissions game. [Of course...
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It's FAFSA Time!

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, January 4, 2014, In : Paying for College 

College Connection
, your one-stop source for college planning, counseling, guidance and support, is now scheduling appointments for the preparation and submission of FAFSAthe Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Applying to college for the fall of 2014? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Already in college and planning to attend college or grad school in the fall of 2014? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [Yes, FAFSA MUST be submitted each year for the following school year.]

Been awarded a scholarship fr...
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Send In The Drones. . .

Posted by College Connection on Monday, December 30, 2013, In : College Applications 

With all the buzz surrounding talk of Amazon making deliveries by drone, The College Whisperer figured, well, why not deliver college applications -- and, for that matter, college acceptances -- by drone?

Given the disastrous year had by Common App, and all of the wild twists, turns, and machinations of the college application and admissions process, the delivery of college applications by unmanned drone could only be an improvement, right? And with all the droning on and on and on during t...
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"It's Not The End Of The World. . ."

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, In : College Admissions 

For all those with "end of the world" anxieties, here are just a few things that the college-bound shouldn't worry about:

-You missed the Early Action deadline. "It's not the end of the world..." There are literally hundreds of colleges and universities with regular decision deadlines yet to come, not to mention (though we always do) the legion of schools with rolling admissions.

-Your Common App essay lacks formatting and pagination. "It's not the end of the world..." No worries here. If y...


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Don't Leave Scholarship Money On The Table!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 18, 2013, In : Paying for College 

You've been accepted by the college of your choice. Congrats!

They've even offered you a handsome scholarship (that's free money, folks), if only you'd say yes. Neat!

You consider all offers from the colleges you've applied to, weigh the financial aid awards, and you accept. Way to go!

Come August, as you are packing your belongings for the trip to campus, that tuition bill arrives in the mail (or, more likely, by way of email alert advising that your semester invoice is available for viewing vi...

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Until There's A Cure For The Common App. . .

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 10, 2013, In : College Planning 

Are you and your parental units confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed by the college application and admissions process? Do you break out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of the Common App? Is having to write that college essay a fate worse than a sudden outbreak of acne?

You, and your unsuspecting parents, may be suffering from that dreaded and most feared malady known as CAS (College Application Syndrome), and not even know it. And yet, you need not suffer the debilitating side effects of ...


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CSS Profile, FAFSA, and Financial Aid

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 26, 2013, In : Paying for College 

Part and parcel of the college planning and counseling process is helping you find -- and apply for -- the money to pay for college.

Some have already started searching and applying for "outside" scholarships (bravo!), while others will do so over the course on the ensuing weeks and months. [Alas, most will never bother to mine for the money, and many who do, without an assist, will be looking to chisel in to the mother load with a toothpick!] 

Aside from scholarship searches (and actually ...


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Keep Calm And Carry On. It's Only College!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, April 5, 2013, In : College Admissions 

There are many women The College Whisperer knows -- and many more he does not -- who are tough as nails. Smart. Courageous. Undaunted by the most pressing challenges of our times.

Take Linda Flanagan. Ms. Flanagan is a freelance writer (frequently, at The Huffington Post), researcher, and editor, specializing in national security issues. Most recently she was Executive Editor for the HELP Commission, a federal body mandated to produce recommendations to reform foreign assistance. Before tha...

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Deciding On A College, And Finding The Money To Pay For It

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, In : College Admissions 

As college acceptances (beyond those already in hand) begin to trickle in by snail mail and email, thoughts turn from "applying to college" to "which offer of admission do I accept?"

Decisions. Decisions. And all of them good!

Before making any decision [National College Decision Day is May 1], consider your options, giving weight to factors that are important to you and your family (including financial aid, academic programs, home or away), and give a read to an interesting and informativ...


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March Mad(ness) Money -- Revisited

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, In : Paying for College 

Every year around this time we touch upon the critical need for students to search and apply for scholarships (read as, FREE money), both from institutional sources (once they know which college they will attend), AND, from outside sources, where billions of dollars in scholarship money lies in wait for the eager applicant.

So this post is well worth repeating, as is the advice contained herein well worth heeding. Keep up that search for scholarship money. Apply. Apply. Apply!

Remember, the dea...
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How NOT To Get Money For College

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, In : Paying for College 

With billions of dollars of scholarship and grant money (read as, "free money you never have to pay back") out there for the taking, and everyone from Guidance Counselors to financial planners telling you how to get your hands on a good chunk of it (not that you listen :-), we figured we'd tell you how to go about NOT getting any money for college.

That's right. Here's the consummate "How NOT To" when it comes to paying for college!

Just follow these simple steps and you will be guaranteed to g...
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High School Juniors: This Is Your Moment!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, In : College Planning 

While most high school seniors are submitting FAFSA, and some are putting the finishing touches on the last of their college applications, high school juniors, waiting in the wings, are busy, er, ah, um, busy doing, hmmm... What exactly are high school juniors busy doing?

Dollars to doughnuts (who says that anymore?), while juniors -- and the parents of same -- may have much on their respective plates, preparing for the madness of college applications and admissions (and we mean seriously prep...
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Show Me The Money (For College)!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 4, 2013, In : Paying for College 

It's time once again to apply for the College Prowler "No Essay" $2000 Scholarship! [Actually, it's that time once every month!]

And speaking of scholarships...

Whether you're in college, applying to college or only beginning to think about college, you should be searching and applying for scholarships, grants and other "free" money via scholarship search engines such as fastweb, MeritAid and Zinch. Remember, you've got to be in it to win it! [There are many other avenues for college gelt shoul...
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Need Money For College? Think FAFSA!

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, December 23, 2012, In : Paying for College 

FAFSA. It's where the money is!

Applying to college for the fall of 2013? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Already in college and planning to attend in the fall of 2013? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [Yes, FAFSA MUST be submitted each year for the following school year.]

Been awarded a scholarship from a college or want to apply for many of the scholarships offered? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Vying for merit aid or looking for need-based aid? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Simply put, when it comes ...


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Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, December 9, 2012, In : Paying for College 


Or about FAFSA!
 

FAFSA -- the Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- must be completed (on or after January 1) for the consideration of a financial aid award (both need-based and merit) from almost every college, including those schools requiring the submission of the CSS Profile.  

WHO MUST FILE FAFSA:

1. Those who will be first time students (Freshmen) in fall, 2013;
2. Those who will be returning students (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Graduate) in fall, 2013;
3. Students who want to...


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Don't Let The Guidance Counselor Scare You! [There's Still Time To Apply To College!]

Posted by College Connection on Friday, November 16, 2012, In : College Applications 

For those who simply can't stand the pressure of deadlines (and face it, who among us relishes deadlines?), the good news is that, for the most part, the hustle and bustle of Early Action, Early Decision, Restricted Early Action, and other niceties (or not so niceties) of the "get 'em in while they're hot" college application process is nearly over.

The waiting game now begins for those who submitted their applications early (good luck!), and the next chapter of the college admissions game boo...
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Just Because You're Already In College. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, In : Paying for College 

. . .Doesn't Mean You Should Stop looking For Money To Pay For It!

Unless you have a full ride, or a money tree in the backyard that wasn't felled by Hurricane Sandy/Nor'Easter Athena, those tuition bills and related college expenses keep on coming -- after the freshman year, sophomore year and senior year (and sometimes well beyond that)!
 
So, too, should (MUST) the strident search for scholarships, grants and other sources of financial aid continue once you are in college.
 
That sa...

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Paying For College With Other People's Money

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 12, 2012, In : Paying for College 

Hope everyone is recovering, or at least coping, after Sandy and Athena. [We are keeping an eye out here on Long Island for the locust, which we presume will be coming our way any day now. :-)]

Just wanted to remind you to apply for the monthly, No Essay Required, $2000 Scholarship at College Prowler. http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/scholarships/159911-college-prowler-2000-no-essay-scholarship

This is truly a no-brainer, and, as those who use the services of COLLEGE CONNECTION know,...
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If A College Isn't Offering You Money...

Posted by College Connection on Friday, October 19, 2012, In : Paying for College 

...Why Should You Give Them Yours?

We all know that college is expensive (some more expensive than others), with tuition and related costs rising nearly every year (this past year, by about 3% on average). As for college debt -- as they say in Brooklyn, fuggetaboutit!

Recently, Princeton Review came out with a list of the ten schools with the worst financial aid packages. On the flip side of the proverbial coin are colleges that are said to offer the best financial aid awards, which, by the way...
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Out of the Ryan Plan, Into the Fire!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, In : Paying for College 


M.R. of Mineola, NY writes:

My daughter will be starting college this fall and has been offered a financial aid package conditioned upon "verification," a process through which I am asked to release, among other financial statements, my income tax returns. I didn't make $20 million dollars last year. I do not have any money hidden away in off-shore bank accounts. Can I simply pull a Romney and skirt the issue of tax returns?

The College Whisperer responds:

Your question is fraught with major po...


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A FAFSA Correction Corrected

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 16, 2012, In : Paying for College 

Or, Why You Should Always Question What The Government Tells You!

Recently, the feds at FAFSA sent out emails to students who submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) reminding them to submit a corrected FAFSA once their tax returns have been filed.

Here's the email:

When you completed your 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you indicated that you were going to file your taxes and were providing estimated 2011 tax information.  Now that the federal ...
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Scholarships Are Not Just For High School Seniors

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, January 15, 2012, In : Paying for College 

If you know a high school senior, well then, you are well aware of their hectic schedules applying to colleges, searching for scholarships, and biting their nails waiting for admission decisions. [High school seniors should also be preparing their financial aid forms, including FAFSA.]
 
But what about high school juniors?
 
Even though they are not applying, they should be preparing. That means lining up engaging courses to take in the senior year, embarking on those meaningful extracur...

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If This Is January, It Must Be FAFSA

Posted by College Connection on Friday, December 30, 2011, In : Paying for College 

Yes, the new year. And with it, resolutions, fresh starts, W-2s in the mail, and the annual preparation and submission of college financial aid forms.

January marks the official start of the college financial aid season (though the eager high school student started searching and applying for scholarships weeks, if not months ago),
 and we now usher in that hallowed time for the preparation, completion and submission of FAFSA, CSS-Profile (for those colleges and scholarship programs requiring sa...
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The Best FAFSA Post, Ever!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, In : Paying for College 

Our friend and colleague, Michael Szerak of College Counseling for the Rest of Us, is known for his poignant commentary and timely posits. True to form, he has hit that proverbial nail on the head yet again, this time on the topic near and dear to all those in search of the almighty dollar (or was that a buck fifty?) to pay for college: FAFSA -- the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid.

Check out this informative, accurate and undeniably essential post on the DOs and DON'Ts of FAFSA, entit...
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Getting Into College Isn't Rocket Science*

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 28, 2011, In : College Admissions 

*It's actually more difficult!

Rocket Science.
More appropriately, aerospace engineering. The time-honored term used to describe a task or idea as being easy as compared to rocket science, which is perceived as a very difficult field. Usually used as a statement such as "It's not rocket science!"

So, why even attempt to make a connection between, say, the science of putting a man on the moon and the college application and admissions process?

Let's put it this way. The former deals with the desi...
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Free FAFSA Webinar December 7th

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, November 20, 2011, In : Paying for College 

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will host a FREE Webinar on Wednesday, December 7 on the essentials of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), while also highlighting application and program changes to the 2012-13 FAFSA.
 
The annual completion and submission of FAFSA is required by almost every college and university in order to be considered for scholarships, grants, Work-Study and Federal Loans (including Stafford Loans).
 
Learn more a...

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FAFSA FEVER

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 24, 2011, In : Paying for College 

Donna of Louisiana writes:

I am married and have one daughter. She will be a college freshman in the fall. I have contributed money in my state's 529 plan (I live in Louisiana) since she was 8. We were in the process of figuring out whether we were required to report the amount of money in the 529 on the FAFSA application. I found out yesterday that we do report it. One question i have is this. The state has invested the money and we have received "enhancements." There is more money in t...
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Deadlines, Priority Deadlines and Missed Deadlines

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 10, 2011, In : Paying for College 

J.K. of Lake Success, NY writes:

We're working on our college financial aid applications and notice that there are all kinds of deadlines, in addition to all kinds of forms from so many sources. We've even come across something called "Priority Deadline." How do we find out what these deadlines are, as well as the best possible sources for aid, giving ourselves the best shot at money for college?

The College Whisperer responds:

And there you were, applications for admission submitted, thinki...

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When FAFSA Isn't Free

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, In : Paying for College 

Which Part Of "Free" Don't They Understand?


FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Required by almost every college and university in the nation as a prerequisite for consideration for scholarships, grants, work-study, and, yes, even loans.

And did we mention that the application is FREE? Free to complete. Free to submit. Absolutely FREE! [Hence, the word "Free" in "Free Application for Federal Student Aid.]

So, why are folks paying "as little as $79.99" (and sometimes more than $1...
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Time to File FAFSA for Financial Aid

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 3, 2011, In : Paying for College 

FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is now "live" at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Completion and submission of FAFSA online is essential, both for merit and need-based aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and work study. Indeed, most colleges will not consider a financial aid award, of any kind, without submission of FAFSA.

Our friends at My College Calendar offer a concise, informative and easy to follow, step-by-step guide to completing and submitting the FAFSA form. We e...
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Scholarships, Grants and the CSS Profile

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, In : Paying for College 

If you haven't started looking for money to pay for college (assuming that tree you planted in the backyard last spring has yet to bear fruit), now is definitely the time.

The following websites are great places to start:


Be sure you complete the profiles in each scholarship search engine, and then search and apply for all scholarships you may qualify for. Check for new scholarship opportunities regularly. Read all e-mails carefully. And keep at it, r...

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A Four-Letter Word To Help Pay For College: SAVE

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, November 4, 2010, In : Paying for College 

Our friend and colleague, Lynn O'Shaughnessy, opines on why saving for college -- or for anything, for that matter -- is a good thing. To top it off, having saved some money for education beyond high school, you won't necessarily be penalized in terms of securing financial aid from your college of choice.

There are some links included, courtesy of U.S. News & World Report (the folks with those silly rankings), to be taken with the requisite grain of salt, hopefully spurring some more in-depth ...
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Profiles In College Money

Posted by College Connection on Monday, September 27, 2010, In : Paying for College 
FAFSA versus CSS-Profile: The Battle of the Financial Aid Forms

Most people believe that FAFSA -- Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- is the end-all when it comes to looking for money for college.

Not so!

In fact, if you do nothing more than file your FAFSA online (which can be done on or after January 1, 2011), you're not likely to see a dime in scholarship and grant money, other than that which the school itself may provide (including work-study and loans) as part of your financial aid...
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Shark Week

Posted by College Connection on Monday, August 2, 2010, In : Paying for College 

Shark Week
and the Common Application going "live" at the very same time. Coincidence, or calculated by design to strike fear in the hearts and minds of swimmers and college-bound students alike? Hmmm. The College Whisperer reports. You decide. Is it me, or does anyone else hear the theme from Jaws playing in their heads? Oh well...

Anyway, speaking of sharks, has anyone looked at the cost of tuition these days, not to mention room and board? Cue the Great White...

D.G. of Sea Clff, NY writes: ...

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