Like the end of summer, the FAFSA will be here before we know it. Here are a few things you need to know before you file. The FAFSA will be available on Oct. 1. That doesn’t mean you need to— or even should— file it on Oct. 1. In fact, most people are better off NOT filing on Oct. 1….

Parents often ask what they can use student loans for, and it’s a question where the correct answer– any qualified expense– isn’t necessarily the right answer. And that’s because of how student loans work. Student loans have three phases: disbursement, deferment and repayment. The rules for each phase can limit what you actually use the loan for. Disbursement: student loans…

The most important part of your college financial plan isn’t the money. It’s not the FAFSA, either. It’s not 529 vs. Roth IRA, or whether the grandparents or the parents own the 529. So what is the most important part? Talking to your kids about your family’s budget for college. If you don’t do that, it might not matter that…

The other day a friend reached out with a question that surprised me. He was looking for recommendations for college admissions consultants. On the surface, this shouldn’t be surprising, but his oldest is an 8th grader. My initial reaction was “Huh?” but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there probably are some situations when starting…

It’s June, which means we’re coming up on peak college visit season. If you’re heading out to see colleges, here are some tips to get the most out of your visits. But first, some rules. Rule #1 of college visits: If you’re a high school student checking out a college, sign up for an official visit. Not only will you…