Financial Aid Applications
- karen3915
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 26
In many of my meetings with families, Financial Aid is clearly an area where many are confused about the process. Planning for how you will pay for college is something families should begin to think about and discuss as soon as 9th grade, in many cases. A good place to start is by looking at each college's website that your child is considering and checking out their "Net Price Calculator." While this won't be 100% accurate, it can give you a good idea of what MIGHT be expected to be paid in the future. If you're a Senior (Class of 2026), plan to apply for financial aid this fall (FAFSA is scheduled to open Oct 1).
I recommend completing it before the end of the calendar year, if possible. This requires some planning and completing at least the majority of your taxes, or at least a solid estimate, in time to finish the application.
Don’t forget, there are MILLIONS of dollars out there that you may qualify for – don’t leave money on the table! If you are applying to private colleges or universities, many will require an additional application called a CSS PROFILE. Please fill this out after completing the FAFSA.
***Junior families (Class of 2027), this is a good reminder to think ahead and finish all of your tax paperwork squared away in 2025 for when you apply in 2026, since FAFSA uses the "Prior-Prior Year."
Here are some of my favorite financial aid resources:
NY Times* Numerous great articles on NY Times – just search “NYTimes Financial Aid”
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