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📌 Before You File the FAFSA

The new Simplified FAFSA is here! Here’s a quick video with some tips that will help you get through it with a minimum of chaos and maximum of financial aid. 🔗

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Getting Started Ann Garcia Getting Started Ann Garcia

To all the Sophomore Families

If you’re a parent of a high school sophomore (or younger) and reading this, congratulations! Today you’re going to learn some things you can do that will benefit you far more on the FAFSA than the last-minute moves families can make just before filing the FAFSA.

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Ann Garcia Ann Garcia

FAFSA Income

While it’s true that there is an income protection allowance on the FAFSA, it’s extremely low– roughly the federal poverty line for a family of your size. The bigger issue is what is included in income and what is subtracted from it to arrive at “Available Income.”

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Ann Garcia Ann Garcia

How do you Reduce Assets on the FAFSA?

The FAFSA’s asset protection allowance is pretty low– about $19,000 for married parents or $11,000 for single parents, and zero for students. (See page 19 here for exact amounts.) What goes in that?

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Ann Garcia Ann Garcia

Income Protection Allowance for Students

It’s summer job time! If your student is a rising high school junior or above, they should be aware of the FAFSA’s Income Protection Allowance for dependent students.

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Ann Garcia Ann Garcia

Adjustments to the FAFSA EFC Formula for 2017-2018

Unlike last year, when the Asset Protection Allowance in the FAFSA formula plummeted, adding thousands of dollars of family education savings back into the formula, this year’s numbers are generally modest changes from the 2016-2017 formula.

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Ann Garcia Ann Garcia

FAFSA 4caster vs FAFSA

Learn about how the FAFSA 4caster can help estimate your EFC, but be aware of its limitations.

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