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FAFSA Now Open To All Families For 2025-2026

Robert Farrington Senior Contributor | Nov 18, 2024

However, families with a dependent heading off to college in the 2025-26 academic year should get started on the form as soon as they possibly can. Umali says one way to do this is to have their 2023 tax returns filed so the FAFSA can properly interface with the IRS to report income. He adds that any recent changes to your family's financial situation that are not reflected on your 2023 tax return should be noted as it can form the basis for an appeal or reconsideration for additional financial aid. "This can include any employment status or income reductions," he says. "In some cases, this can include any extreme or unusual financial hardships that the family may have experienced."

How To Fill Out The CSS Profile And Unlock More Financial Aid

Robert Farrington Senior Contributor | Sep 30, 2024

The CSS Profile is a financial aid application that helps students access non-federal institutional aid. Higher education expert Danilo Umali of Game Theory College Planners points out that the CSS Profile is administered by the College Board, the same organization behind the SAT and the AP program. However, Umali says the CSS Profile dives deeper into family financial situations and considers additional financials to award various types of aid. For example, the FAFSA doesn't consider a family's home equity as part of their assets when determining financial aid but the CSS Profile does. The CSS Profile also considers factors like retirement savings and annuities that name the student as a beneficiary. In addition, the form takes the financials of both parents into account after divorce, instead of just the parent who provides the most financial support.

When To Finalize Paying For College This Year

Robert Farrington Senior Contributor | May 21, 2024

Even with all the challenges faced by families this year, by and large, there haven't been any broad announcements in terms of paying for college later than usual. Higher ed consultant Danilo Umali of Game Theory College Planners says that colleges still want their money as usual, typically before fall matriculation.

"The only delays we've seen is an extension beyond the informal May 1st decision deadline," he says.

Umali says that hasn't stopped colleges from pressuring families into an attendance decision by forcing a deposit on housing before the typical May 1 deadline. Unfortunately, this timeline makes zero sense for anyone still waiting on their complete financial aid packages from the colleges. Families shouldn't have to put down a deposit for housing when they have no idea how much aid their dependent will receive, or what their own out-of-pocket responsibility for college expenses will be.

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