| As if being the parent of a hormonal walking ball of | | | | don't apply for financial aid until after the student is |
| energy is not enough excitement, half way through | | | | admitted. And learn as much as possible about |
| your child's junior year of high school in Connecticut | | | | Connecticut colleges admission processes. |
| you realize that you will be the one filling out the | | | | - Be aware of the deadlines for filing the various |
| college admission forms, financial aid forms and paying | | | | application forms required by each college. Missing a |
| for the application fees. This means that you will | | | | college's financial aid deadline can result in a reduced |
| most likely be the one stressing out about deadlines, | | | | or zero offer of financial aid from the college. |
| scrambling for your financial records and being | | | | - Know what application forms (FAFSA, PROFILE, |
| tempted to apply to a couple of Connecticut Colleges | | | | etc.) are required by each college. |
| because each one charges a small fee to apply. | | | | - Estimate tax return numbers to meet college |
| If you have all of a sudden found yourself in this | | | | financial aid deadlines or to file early to be in line for |
| situation then here are some life and hair saving tips: | | | | the first-come, first-serve sources of financial aid. |
| - Apply to at least 6-8 colleges. Make an appointment | | | | - Connecticut parents should apply for financial aid |
| with a Connecticut college consultants because this | | | | even though you may not qualify because he must |
| will give you some financial aid options. | | | | file to be eligible for a Federal PLUS loan and to be |
| - Apply to some colleges where you know you will | | | | able to file an appeal. Also, some colleges will not |
| get a good award. | | | | consider the student for future financial aid if he did |
| - Request a refund of room deposits and admission | | | | not file the application forms in prior years.Know |
| fees from the college by May 1. | | | | what the application form deadlines are for the |
| - Some colleges will waive the admission fee if | | | | student's state of residency. |
| requested to do so, especially in the case where the | | | | - Be advised that estimated tax numbers used on |
| fee is a hardship. | | | | the financial aid application may trigger selection for |
| - Some colleges waive the admission fee if the | | | | verification. |
| admission application is filed over the internet. | | | | - Inconsistency of data reported on the financial aid |
| - Attend any Connecticut college admission counseling | | | | application form may trigger selection for verification |
| and help or speak with a Connecticut college | | | | (e.g., interest income reported, but no corresponding |
| admissions consultant | | | | asset is listed). |
| - Apply early to attract Connecticut college | | | | - Connecticut real estate values that are greatly less |
| scholarships which are awarded not on the financial | | | | than the Inflation Index Multiplier tables may trigger |
| need of the student but on the college's desire to | | | | selection for verification. |
| meet their enrollment quota at an early date. Don't | | | | - Typically, verification consists of sending in a copy |
| apply early decision unless the student is on the | | | | of the parents and students tax returns, reporting |
| borderline of being admitted and the desire to be | | | | the number of persons in the household, and |
| admitted is greater than the need for financial aid. | | | | reporting the number of persons in the household |
| Early Decision often leads to poor offers of financial | | | | who are planning to enroll in college. |
| aid. Some colleges state that early decision will not be | | | | - If assets are verified, usually the financial aid officer |
| binding if the financial aid offer is not satisfactory. | | | | will request information or values from the family's |
| The family should inquire if this is the policy of the | | | | accountant. They will not ask for a formal valuation |
| college. Here are some financial aid form tips that will | | | | of the family's assets. |
| keep you from making big mistakes when applying | | | | These are just a few of the insider tips and |
| for financial aid. | | | | strategies for Connecticut parents of college bound |
| - Application for financial aid may adversely affect | | | | students that you can access for FREE by clicking on |
| the student's chances for admissions. Therefore, | | | | the link below. |