For families navigating the college admissions process, especially those doing so for the first time, financial aid can be one of the most confusing and, frankly, intimidating subjects to wrap your head around. Sometimes even the most reputable experts and sources for guidance exacerbate the complexity. There’s a time and place to dive into topics like the financial aid impact of a home-based business or the income calculation metrics used for divorced parents. But there’s no sense wading into the financial aid weeds just yet if you’re a family just trying to learn the basics, like what’s available, how to apply, and when to do so.
If you’ve been hesitant to dip your toe into the topic, consider starting with this 1-hour video Kaplan Test Prep recently hosted with financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz (even just reading the included short summary of tips is a good place to start).
You won’t be an expert yourself after this hour. But you’ll know the terms and the timeline. You’ll know what to do and when. And most importantly, when you need to venture into the weeds to get the information most applicable to your family, you’ll no longer be an intimidated novice.