Why College Award Letters Are More Confusing Than They Should Be After months of applications, essays, and anticipation, financial aid award letters arrive. For many families, this moment feels like the final step before committing to a college. Yet instead of...
The Cost of Missed Scholarship and Grant Opportunities Each year, billions of dollars in financial aid are awarded to college students in the United States. According to the College Board’s Trends in Student Aid 2023, undergraduate students received approximately $247...
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the FAFSA, you're not alone. Every year, thousands of New Jersey families face the same confusing forms, conflicting information, and high-stakes decisions—wondering if they're doing it right or leaving money on the table. The good...
When the initial financial aid offer from a college falls short, many families consider submitting an appeal. But the success of that appeal hinges on one critical factor: the strength and validity of the argument being made. Not all financial concerns qualify for...
When families face financial circumstances that make the original aid package insufficient, they often consider writing an appeal. But one key question quickly arises: What exactly do colleges want to see in an appeal letter? A well-crafted letter can be the...
Families facing an unaffordable college bill often ask a direct and urgent question: Does FAFSA usually accept appeals? The short answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. FAFSA itself does not approve or deny appeals. Instead, appeals are reviewed by individual...
New Jersey students are fortunate to have access to one of the most generous and varied state financial aid systems in the country. From need-based grants to merit-based programs, the state offers multiple pathways to make college more affordable. But eligibility can...
The Federal Pell Grant remains the cornerstone of college affordability for low- and moderate-income families. Each year, millions of students rely on Pell funding to help pay for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. But in recent years, the rules governing Pell...
Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the most important steps families can take to reduce the cost of college. Yet too many students and parents miss out on thousands of dollars in aid due to avoidable errors, poor timing, or a lack of...
It’s a question we hear often at College Benefits Research Group (CBRG): "What could disqualify me from financial aid?" For families counting on assistance to make college affordable, the idea of losing eligibility or being denied aid outright is understandably...