Thread by @roncaruthers

1. Kid (or you) going to college next year?

Here are some FAFSA tips to help you out:

If you’re not familiar, the FAFSA is the document that you have to file to be considered for all Federal aid, most private college aid, AND even some merit aid.

2. It stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, but it's called the FAFSA for short.

It’s the granddaddy of all the financial aid forms.

3. But, did you know that over 80% (!!!) of the forms are filed incorrectly?

My definition, by the way, of ‘incorrectly’ is: with one or more critical errors that causes you to pay more than you need to.

Shocking, right? But, really, what do you expect from a government form?

4. So, here are 3 tips for you:

First, despite what your guidance counselors are telling you, you do NOT have to file the form today, or even this month, unless a college is specifically requesting it….and usually that is only if your student is an athlete.

5. In fact, you’re much better off waiting because the system just went ‘live’ a few hours ago, and I guarantee you that it is glitching out right now, and will be for the next 2 weeks, at least.

6. In fact, I recommend that you don’t even bother with it until November, (unless one of your schools is telling you otherwise, like I already mentioned).

This way, they can get the glitches worked out....

7. .... and really, if your student hasn’t even turned in their college application, what, exactly, is the college going to do with your FAFSA?

Here is your next tip:

8. Item #2: READ THE DIRECTIONS AND DEFINITIONS. I can’t emphasize this enough, but most of the errors occur because parents rushed through the form and never bothered to read the definition of what the form was asking.

9. For instance, a normal, sane person’s definition of the word ‘asset’ is completely different than the very specific definition that the federal government uses for this form.

10. And I assure you, it’s a different definition than what the IRS or your bank uses.

So read the definitions and plan on spending some time filling out this form, not just getting it done as quickly as possible.

11. Item #3: Consider getting some professional help. There is a HUGE gap between what families in similar circumstances get in financial aid if they know what they’re doing (or work with someone who does) and everybody else.

12.If you want to pay wholesale for college and not retail, then I urge you to get some help on this, especially if you don’t have the time to research exactly how to maximize the amount of financial aid that you receive.

13. We still have a few slots left for Class of 2020, so if you’d like to reach out to me either via DM or calling us at 760-607-7021 in the US, we’d be happy to squeeze you in and let you know exactly how much you can save.

Best of luck, and I hope these tips help you.

/end/

14. Ok, not quite the end.

I will also have a course out on how to do all this yourself by the end of next week.

In the meantime, here is the view from my 'office' for the day...