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I've moved my blog to Substack! Check out some of my most recent posts below.
Subscribe now to keep up with me and access exclusive perks, including live discussions with college planning experts, time to ask me anything, and more.
Looking for my older blog posts? Check out my full blog archive below.
Blog archive
2017-2018 FAFSA Formula Guide
The Tables show income and asset protection allowances for parents and students. The allowances are pretty similar to last year’s. For example, the income protection allowance for a family of 4 with 2 college students went from $24,390 in 2016-17 to $24,480 in 2017-18.
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.
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.
The Dirty Dozen: Colleges with High Student Debt
Families who plan to spend some time this summer visiting colleges should take notice beforehand of which colleges are good financial fits. The Project on Student Debt from TICAS, The Institute for College Access and Success, publishes an annual report on student debt that includes listings of high-debt colleges.
Grandparent College Savings
One question I get a lot in my financial planning practice is “How should I help with my grandchildren’s college costs?” There are many options: opening a 529 account on your own, gifting into the parents’ 529 accounts, UTMAs, direct payment of tuition, just to name a few. The answer, as is so often the case, is It Depends.