Happy New (School) Year! The beginning of the school year is always an exciting time in our home. For my kids, it’s the anticipation of going back to school, making new friends, and the start of soccer! For my husband and me, it’s the joy of getting back to a routine.
This year is slightly different. Our daughter, Sahana, started her senior year in high school. Over the summer, we had fun visiting schools. During school presentations, we learned about academics, clubs, and traditions. The one thing we did not hear a lot about was the cost of each college and the financial aid options available. Yes, they usually did say to fill out the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), but no one explained why we should fill out the FAFSA or the steps needed to secure financial aid.
As Sahana embarks on her journey to college this fall, we will also be focusing on how to pay for college.
As an employee at Federal Student Aid (FSA), I feel like I know a bit more about the federal financial aid process than the average parent does. Nevertheless, even after working at FSA for five years, it is such a different experience when you’re the one going through the FAFSA process for the first time. As I was creating a checklist for us, I thought it would be helpful to share it with other parents going through the same journey.