As you complete your final college applications, it’s definitely time to turn your focus to applying for financial aid. For most families, the first step in applying for financial aid is to file the 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Refer to this checklist of items your family should gather and have handy as your begin your application, and be sure to check out these helpful tips to make FAFSA filing easier. Don’t forget to spend a little time researching when the FAFSA is due at the schools you are applying to and be certain to meet those deadlines!

If you have already filed your 2020/2021 FAFSA form, but have since applied to additional colleges, remember to log back into your FAFSA and add the additional colleges to the School Selection list and resubmit the FAFSA.

For some families, applying for financial aid also means completing an additional document from the CollegeBoard called the CSS PROFILE® form. For a complete list of colleges and universities requiring the CSS PROFILE® form, click here. If you are applying to school in New Hampshire, the two colleges in the state requiring this additional form are Saint Anselm College and Dartmouth College.

Did you know your high school can win cash for a school-sanctioned senior class activity ‐ maybe a senior breakfast, a trip to a local attraction, an ice-cream sundae bar, or a creative activity your class dreams up ‐ just for completing the FAFSA? Read how here.

As always, our college counselors are here to help your family file the FAFSA form and to answer your financial aid questions. Simply call us at 888.747.2382, extension 119 and let us help!

Whether you have applied Early Decision or Early Action, or whether you are still finalizing the list of colleges you will apply to, this may be a stressful time for seniors. Don’t become overwhelmed by what others around you are, or are not, doing. Keep in mind that your college application process may be very different from that of your peers. Reduce your stress by breaking this process down into more manageable pieces:

WHAT: What do the colleges want as part of the application? Common Application? Standardized test scores? High school transcript? Letters of recommendation? Remember: most programs at the seven NH community colleges do not require standardized test scores or letters of recommendation.

Already applied? Make sure to tie up any outstanding application components! Check in with your school counselor to confirm all required documents (i.e., transcript, letters of recommendation, extra essays, and, if applicable, any additional documents pertaining to portfolios, auditions, or the NCAA) have been sent to your colleges. Also, don’t forget to send your official SAT or ACT scores to each college on your list that requires them.

WHEN: When is the application deadline? For some colleges, the deadline may be creeping up, but there are many schools with admission deadlines in late winter or early spring. Some may even offer rolling admissions. If you are still unsure of the difference between regular decision and rolling admissions, read the “Ways to Apply for Admission” article here. Check each college’s website and plan accordingly.

HOW: How will the school communicate with you? Are you expected to check online in the school’s portal for updates about your application? Will they email you? Will they mail you a letter?

Whether you are waiting for acceptance letters or just starting your applications, you can be confident in the process if you know WHAT the colleges want, WHEN they want it, and HOW they will communicate with you. Good luck!

Are you uncertain about where you want to apply to college? It’s absolutely not too late to develop your plan, and we can help! Our college counselors will assist you in developing a customized list of colleges to which you can apply. Schedule your free 60‑minute appointment today by calling 888.747.2382, extension 119.

The U.S. Department of Education’s new and improved College Score Card is now available. This online tool allows families to compare the cost and value of higher education institutions in the United States. It displays data in five areas: cost, graduation rate, employment rate, average amount borrowed, and loan default rate, and has recently been updated to include additional data on colleges, specific programs, potential debt, and projected earnings for graduates.

Matthew Dembicki at Community College Daily tells us that: “Students and families now have access to information on the median earnings and median debt of a school’s graduates, based on their chosen field of study. That means a student interested in studying engineering can now compare outcomes, such as first-year earnings and student loan debt, among engineering programs within an institution and among those offered at other schools, according to ED.” Check out the full article here or go right to College Score Card. You can also find it on the myStudentAid app!

WHAT: 21st Annual Destination College - New Hampshire’s Statewide College Planning Convention for High School Juniors & Parents

WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 2020, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Saint Anselm College, host campus

The Organizations’ signature event is designed to help high school juniors and their families prepare for entry into college. This annual statewide college preparation convention is held every spring through collaborative efforts between The NHHEAF Network Organizations and the New Hampshire colleges and universities. All of the day’s events are FREE to students and parents.

Attendees will have access to a variety of free college planning workshops such as “Creative Ways to Manage the Cost of College,” “The Write Stuff,” and “Paths to Choosing a College Major.” In addition, over 60 colleges and universities from across New England will be on-hand as part of our annual college fair. We’ve got a great contest for a $500 scholarship for participating students as well! Registration is required for this event and will open in mid-January 2020 at destinationcollege.org.

Destination College is a great way to explore the beautiful campus of Saint Anselm College and get yourself in the driver’s seat as you begin planning for college!

Are you wondering how you can find scholarships? Would you like to find information on local and national scholarships that might be appropriate for you? We’ve got you covered!

Check out the Center for College Planning’s new Scholarship Search! While your school counseling office is always an excellent source for possible scholarships, we hope you will find this new tool helpful as well. Starting now to build your list of scholarships to apply to over the next few months will help you stay organized and meet the required deadlines!

Is there a scholarship open to NH residents that you think should be on our list? Let us know!

(P.S. ‐ as a bonus scholarship opportunity, check out the EDvestinU® Quarterly Scholarship Giveaway. This scholarship, offered by our sister company, awards three (3) $1,500 scholarships each quarter to randomly selected entrants that are or will be attending any Title IV eligible college or university. There is no obligation, no purchase or loan application necessary, and these would not increase chances of winning).