Who feels ecstatic when their kids are in 12th grade? Parents (at all different income levels) who've laid the groundwork needed to get their 12th grade kid through college debt-free—and then directly into a career that kid excels at and loves afterward. (I provide...
If you'll have a kid in college next fall, grab this free money right now. That's right. Eleven months before college starts. Fill out the FAFSA financial aid form as soon as you can after October 1st, 2021—no matter your income level. Do this, and you'll put your...
Exciting FAFSA changes are coming—in 2022! I've been telling families for years—be 100% sure to fill out the FAFSA financial aid form every October 1st that there's even a chance you'll have a kid in college or trade school the following fall—because you don't want to...
Watch just one of the short, succinct video trainings below, and you'll be on the fast track to getting the kids you love through college debt-free. If you've got a bright, capable middle schooler or high schooler headed for college—you're probably wondering, "How...
Some parents try to save a little time, energy, and money by putting their kids in charge of planning their own college financing. “She's nearly an adult—let her figure it out herself and live with the consequences,” some parents think. But—is it actually a good idea...
Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) sounds like the best deal in the world. Honestly. You as a parent spend just a little bit of time entering information into a clear, safe online form, and a kid you love magically gets put in line for...
Should you fill out the FAFSA on your phone? On October 17th, 2018, I was invited to guest post on the blog of Certified Financial Planner™ Mike Branch of Focus Financial in Minneapolis. Mike has been an extraordinary mentor to me as I've plumbed the depths on how to...
If you're concerned that you're currently LATE to college planning, read this article now. College planning can feel like being lost in a jungle. And sadly, your kid's high school guidance counselor (nowadays more properly called a "school counselor,") can't help much...
No parent wants to consider this — but what happens if one of your children runs up $80,000 in student loan debt, and then perishes in a car accident or dies of cancer? Will your grief be compounded by having to make years (decades!) of student loan payments, until...
If you're parenting a teen, there's a good chance that sometime during the winter of your child's senior year of high school, you're going to be flipping through documents called "financial aid award letters." You'll have a "financial aid award letter" from every...
This article was originally posted here on October 2nd, 2017. It was updated and re-posted here on September 12th, 2019. You’d love for your son to get loads of free money financial aid to help him pay for college, but you’re pretty sure he won’t qualify for much....
This article originally appeared on this blog on September 25th, 2017. It was updated and reposted here on August 30th, 2018. If you’ll have one or more kids in college next fall—please plan to get your family first in line for financial aid money by filling out the...
This article was originally published here on July 31st, 2017. It was updated and reposted here on May 22nd, 2018. Are you divorced from your child's other parent? If so, there are specialized strategies you can use to reduce your kids' future college costs. Here's...
Ben and his parents sat up late at their dining room table, combing through all of Ben's college financial aid numbers one more time. Ben's dad ran his fingers nervously through his hair. The problem? It was already summer, and every college that had accepted Ben for...
Will your child will be headed to college (or technical school) in the fall of 2017? If so, I have important financial aid information for you. 1. If you haven't done so already, it's important that you fill out the FAFSA financial aid form right now. You can make...
You'd love for your son to get loads of free money financial aid to help him pay for college, but you're pretty sure he won't qualify for much. Your family lives comfortably, after all. You aren't poor. You wonder if filling out financial aid forms is even worth your...
Today I'm announcing the extra bonuses your family will receive if you purchase LAUNCH by January 11, 2017. Bonus #1 You and your immediate family will be invited to attend an online MasterClass with live Q&A with me, the author -- at no charge to you. This online...
This article was originally published here on November 28th, 2016. It was updated on August 20th, 2019. Today I have urgent college financial aid info for parents of 9th graders. Yes, I'm serious, 9th graders. There's something that you need to know right now—so you...
This article about the student aid report was originally posted here on October 24th, 2016. It was updated and reposted here on October 17th, 2018. About 2–3 weeks after you fill out the FAFSA financial aid form for your college-bound high school senior or current...
Are you filling out financial aid forms for a kid who'll be in college next fall? Great. The fall before he or she enters college is the perfect time to do that. But what do you do if you get stuck? Where do you go to get help with college financial aid forms? Here...
Is your child a senior in high school, or older? This post is part 2 of a 2-part series on what to do each September to make sure the FAFSA form you fill out in early October will get your child maximum financial aid for college. To read part 1 of this very important...
This article was originally posted on this site on August 8th, 2016. It was updated and reposted here on September 12th, 2019. Ben and Amy have been divorced for years. Finally, though, they've found something they both agree on: they want their teenage daughter,...
This article originally appeared here on November 19th, 2015. It was updated on September 26th, 2019. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post for parents who erroneously believe that if they'll just refuse to put their financial info on their child's FAFSA form, their...
This article originally appeared here on November 2nd, 2015. It was updated on September 26th, 2019. The dad was smiling at me, like he had a special secret that no one else knew. He folded his arms, rocked back on his heels, and got ready to tell me just why he was...
This article on career direction for 12th graders was originally published here on March 11th, 2015. It was updated and republished here on December 7th, 2018. Your 12th grader hasn't yet figured out "what he wants to do with his life," and it's making you nervous....
