Parental involvement with college applications and essays usually does more harm than good; students who are the most successful tend to be those who take ownership of their own college search and application process.
But I don’t feel the same way about applying for financial aid. If a parent is paying the bill for college, I think it’s okay for them to handle the forms and to answer the invasive questions about their personal finances.
Parents, for each college where your student will apply, visit the financial aid section of the school’s website (bookmark each of the sites as you may return to them later) and find the answers to these five questions:
1. What is the cost of attendance?
2. What does the school’s net-price calculator predict your family will have to pay?
3. Which forms need to be filled out (FAFSA, Profile, and/or the school’s own forms)?
4. When do all of the forms need to be completed and sent?
5. Will any other paperwork or documentation be required?
Do this now, keep track of your findings, and prepare your own schedule for when you plan to complete and submit all the necessary forms. You’ll be way ahead of the rest of the sending-to-college crowd.