financial advice & planning, financial aid

How to Read Your FAFSA Results

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 19, 2024

You must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year in order to qualify for any type of federal or institutional financial aid for college. This information is passed onto colleges you listed on the application. If you’re accepted to the school, they’ll send what’s called a “Financial Aid Offer Letter.” However, …

financial aid, scholarship search & applications, scholarships

Scholarships: What’s Out There? How Do You Get Them?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 19, 2024

The search for scholarships can feel a bit overwhelming. After all, how do you get started? How do you actually find these awards? And what do you do when you find them? We’ll give you a rundown of questions you may have during your search, but also show you the easiest and less stressful way …

financial aid

Best College Financial Aid Resources for the New Year

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 25, 2025

Whether you’re waiting to hear back from colleges, know which school you will be attending in the fall, or are a junior in high school, financial aid resources can make college much more affordable. Which should you be paying attention to in 2022? FAFSA One of the most important financial aid resources you need to …

financial advice & planning, financial aid

Types of financial aid to help fund your education

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 16, 2025

Key takeaways College can cost more than $38,000 per year, which puts it out of reach for many students and families. Financial aid, including loans, Work-Study, grants, scholarships, state aid, and more, can help bridge the gap between what you have and what you need. Complete the FAFSA and research financial aid awards as soon …

financial aid

How to Appeal for More Financial Aid If COVID-19 Affected Your Family Income

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you know you can appeal for more financial aid? Appeals are often done due to major life event that affected an individual’s or family’s income. Since FAFSA and other financial aid offers tend to be based on federal taxes from two years ago, recent applications may not truly reflect the reality of your current …

financial aid

What You Should Know about Front-Loaded Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many students rely on financial aid in order to attend college, but. While researching financial aid, you may have come across the term “front-loaded.” But what is it? Is it good or bad? Are there other options available? Here’s what you need to know about this front-loaded financial aid. What is Front-Loaded Financial Aid? Front-loaded …

financial aid

How a 529 Plan Affects your FAFSA

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Calculating the amount of financial aid to award a student can be tricky. Many elements are connected and affect each other. One such example is 529 savings plans and the FAFSA. Your 529 plan affects your FAFSA and how much aid you can receive. Here’s a rundown of those details. What is a 529 Plan? …

financial aid

Is There College Financial Aid For Homeschooled Students?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Financial aid helps students pay for higher education. That includes students who studied at home. Homeschooling has come a long way since a few years ago in terms of college admissions as well as financial aid. Today, colleges welcome homeschool students as long as they meet the school’s eligibility criteria. As for financial aid for …

financial aid

What is the Student Aid Index?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 7, 2025

The Student Aid Index, or SAI, is the number colleges use to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible for based on the information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here’s a rundown of how the SAI works and why it matters for students and families trying to pay for …

financial aid

How To Overcome Financial Aid “Gapping”

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

To make the cost of college more affordable, many schools offer financial aid packages to accepted students. These packages are customized for each student based on the information submitted through the FAFSA. Schools usually try and cover 100% of the student’s financial need through a mix of grants, scholarships, work study and loans. However, many …