 This year’s financial aid landscape brings changes that parents of college-bound seniors should understand. The traditional financial aid timeline has shifted, and being prepared for these changes will help your family navigate the process more effectively.
This year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) launched in December 2024, rather than its usual October opening. While the form itself is shorter and more streamlined, the processing timeline has expanded considerably. For many families, particularly those applying to private colleges, there's an additional form to consider: the CSS Profile. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile application opened on schedule in October 2024 and is required by approximately 400 institutions, primarily private colleges and universities.  Deciding on the “right” college can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to think about: location, academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, career preparation, but all of that is secondary if a college isn’t affordable. Just like when making a big purchase, such as a car or house, families need to weigh the costs of college against the expected benefits. The goal is to ensure the investment in college pays off without creating an overwhelming financial burden.
 As your high schooler prepares for college, navigating financial aid can feel confusing. Here’s a guide to avoid common financial aid pitfalls.
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is missing financial aid deadlines. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on December 1st this year, but many families wait too long to file. To avoid this, note both federal and school-specific deadlines. Pay attention to ED, EA, and ED2 financial aid deadlines.  Applying to college can be a costly proposition. According to U.S. News and World Report (2022), college application fees can range from $50-$100 per college. Add in the cost of standardized test score reports and, at some high schools, fees for transcript requests, and the costs can quickly add up. For example, a student applying to just 10 universities may have to pay $700 in application fees alone.
 Navigating the college application process can be stressful, especially when considering how financial aid factors into different application strategies. Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) are two popular options, each with distinct financial aid implications
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