How Your 529 Plan Can Pay for College
Today, I’m breaking down what a 529 plan is and how it can help pay for your child to go to college. A 529 plan is a college investment account. You put money in, it grows with the market, and…
How the Big Beautiful Bill Changes Financial Aid for College
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has worked its way from the House to the Senate and back again, and it's now been signed into law by the president. So, in today’s video, I’ll break down what’s changing and what’s…
4 Reasons to Use Student Loans (even if you don’t need to)
Today, I want to explore an important question many families face during the college planning process: "Should I take out a student loan if I don't need it?" Surprisingly, the answer might not always be straightforward. Even if you can…
Add These Colleges to Your FAFSA
Today we're talking about which colleges you should add to your FAFSA. When you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov, it’s going to ask you which colleges you want to receive the information. And you’re…
FAFSA is Open! (and a little broken)
Hey guys, it's Eric at Solution Prep and the FAFSA is open. FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it's your first step for getting things like loans, grants, scholarships, and work study to help you afford…
Filing Your CSS Profile Before FAFSA!?
Hey, guys! It’s Eric at Solution Prep; and we have a problem. Typically the FAFSA — that’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — opens on October 1st, and I spend all of October helping families fill out their…
Do You “Qualify” for the FAFSA?
One question I get from parents is asking if they qualify for the FAFSA, and the answer is yes! Every American citizen and green card holder meets the FAFSA qualifications and can fill out the free application at FAFSA.gov. The…
Need Blind vs Need Aware
Today I am going to tell you how Financial Aid may impact admissions at some colleges and dive into Need Blind vs Need Aware. Some schools are what’s called “Need Blind”, which means the Admissions and the Financial Aid offices…
Subsidized vs Unsubsidized: How Student Loans Work
Now that the college bill is due, it’s time to talk about the difference between Subsidized vs Unsubsidized student loans. If you filled out the FAFSA, you’re offered $5,500 in a direct loan that is often called the “Stafford Loan”,…
How to get more FINANCIAL AID
Today I want to talk to parents of seniors about your student financial aid award letters and how to get more. You’re starting to get some of those letters, and some of them may have a lot less free money…
Why EVERY Student Should Apply for Financial Aid
Today I want to tell you why parents of every incoming college student should apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA, which is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov. In the 2019–2020 school year, the…
What to Know About FAFSA Changes (Filing in 2021 for the 2022-2023 School Year)
Today is October 1st, which means it’s the day that the FAFSA opens at FAFSA.gov and we can get a first look at the supposed changes. That’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it’s your first step for…