Hoverings

a blog post by College Board's financial aid expert, Susan McCrackin.

Wondering if you should file the FAFSA? Let this College Board infographic help you.

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It’s time.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how millions of students apply for federal, state and most college-based financial aid. And because government grants compose 74 percent of this $185 billion pool, it’s understandable for families to feel anxious when filling out the FAFSA.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Susan McCrackin, Senior Director Financial Aid Methodology at the College Board, offers this eight-step map to help parents and students work through the FAFSA as efficiently and effectively as possible.

by Alejandro Gutierrez

Senior year of high school can be a difficult time; not only for students, but for their family, teachers, and peers as well. A world of decisions awaits – Am I going to college? If so, what kind of college? What will I study when I get there? What do I even want to do? What career am I aiming for? Can I afford this? What happens to the people who are left behind? Will I move out of the house and move far away, or commute from home and attend somewhere close by? What color of pillowcases should I purchase?

And so on.

Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, it is important to keep track of important dates throughout each semester. Keep your dates organized by downloading the College Parents of America Academic Year Calendar Checklist.

If your student is anything like most college students, he has a lot of stuff. How much is your student's property worth? What if your student's things were to be lost, stolen or damage? Could you afford to replace them? By downloading the College Parents of America Student Personal Property Checklist, you and your student can take inventory and make an estimate that can help you determine whether your student's belongings need protection.