MEFA Blog

Mistakes include missing a school's deadline, putting parent info in the student section, using a nickname, forgetting to add schools, incorrectly reporting taxable grants and scholarships, leaving college-going siblings out of the household size, using the wrong Social Security number, and not using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.…

Topics include completing financial aid applications, getting an FSA ID, who requires the CSS Profile, applying for financial aid without a Social Security number, who should complete the financial aid applications, the affect of 529 accounts on financial aid, the financial aid timeline, EFC Calculators, and helpful websites. …

Items needed include an FSA ID, a College Board username and password, a student's driver's license, a list of colleges where the student is applying, Social Security numbers, W-2 form(s), and untaxed income records. …

We discuss work study, the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, how scholarships affect financial aid, subsidized vs unsubsidized loans, Federal Direct Loan limits and interest rates, MA state aid, and how to use your college savings funds. …

Your student may need to: complete federal loan requirements, ensure private scholarships and payment plans have credited the account, submit documentation to the financial aid office, or follow up with your private loan lender.…

The differences between Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans include the timing of when interest starts accruing, the eligibility for awarding based on financial need, and the maximum amount permitted.…

Websites include StudentAid.gov, fafsa.gov, FSAID.ed.gov, and MyEDDebt.ed.gov.…