College Excellence

Preparing Before You Commit Part 2

Ready to make your final college choice official? Here are your final steps:

4. Submit your deposit: Pay your enrollment deposit to lock in your spot.

5. Check the waitlist: If you're holding out for a waitlist school, send a Letter of Continued Interest.

6. Decline other offers: Let the colleges you aren't attending know so they can give those spots to other students.

FAFSA Myths Busted Part 3

Myth: You have to wait until your parents finish their tax returns for the current year before you can file the FAFSA.

Truth: The FAFSA uses what is called "prior-prior year" taxes. This means the form looks at tax information from two years ago, which is already completed. The system can automatically import it straight into your form once you give consent.

The FAFSA Deadline is Coming Up

If you are heading to college this fall and haven't finished your financial aid paperwork, this is your wake-up call: the official federal FAFSA deadline is June 30th. If you miss this date, you are giving up your chance at federal grants, work-study, and student loans. Don't wait until the last minute.

What Exactly is an FSA ID? 🔐

Before you can even touch the FAFSA, you need to create an FSA ID. This is your personal username and password that acts as your legal electronic signature to log in and sign your financial aid forms online.

🛑 The #1 Rule: You and your parents must have completely separate FSA IDs. Never share your password or make an account for someone else, or the system will lock you out.