--- title: "The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions | Michelle Clifton" description: The official blog of College Coach, a division of Bright Horizons. Our expert view on all things college admissions. --- [![College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/hub/146790/file-1518948603.png "College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts")](http://www.getintocollege.com/) - [Blog](https://146790.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Contact](https://146790.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Login](http://passport.getintocollege.com/Account/Login) # The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts ## Michelle Clifton ### Recent Posts ## [How to File the FAFSA: What Happens Next? | College Coach Blog ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365005/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-What-Happens-Next-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Michelle Clifton](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/michelle-clifton) on Tue, Dec 22, 2015 @ 09:10 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-692078832-jpg/images/coco_130819_01181.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365005/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-What-Happens-Next-College-Coach-Blog) Once you [submit the FAFSA](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364986/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-Completing-Each-Section-College-Coach-Blog), you can breathe a sigh of relief as you check this off the to-do list.  Your FAFSA will be processed within three to five days.  After that time, you will receive an email with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR), which will include a summary of your application and let you know if there were any issues that still need to be resolved.  If your application is complete, then the SAR will display your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is then used to calculate your financial aid eligibility at each institution [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365005/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-What-Happens-Next-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [How to File the FAFSA: Completing Each Section | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364986/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-Completing-Each-Section-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Michelle Clifton](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/michelle-clifton) on Thu, Dec 17, 2015 @ 01:45 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-388941603-jpg/images/coco_130819_0097.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364986/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-Completing-Each-Section-College-Coach-Blog) Now that we’ve covered the [first steps to filing the FAFSA](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364975/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-First-Steps-College-Coach-Blog), you should have all your documentation handy and you are ready to tackle the FAFSA. The recommended method is to complete it [online](https://fafsa.gov/). You can also fill out a [paper FAFSA](https://fafsa.gov/options.htm), but online submission is easier and much faster for both you and colleges to process. The FAFSA consists of seven sections and about 100 questions total: [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364986/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-Completing-Each-Section-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [How to File the FAFSA: First Steps | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364975/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-First-Steps-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Michelle Clifton](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/michelle-clifton) on Tue, Dec 15, 2015 @ 11:26 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-539189002-jpg/images/coco_130820_0370.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364975/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-First-Steps-College-Coach-Blog) January 1st is right around the corner, which means it is almost time to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly referred to as the [FAFSA](https://fafsa.ed.gov/).  While the FAFSA can be intimidating, it does not have to be.  If you are prepared with the appropriate documentation right in front of you, the process can be painless. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364975/How-to-File-the-FAFSA-First-Steps-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) [All Posts](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/all) ### Need help with the Common Application?  [![common application help](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008) ### Get the Insider Advantage  College Coach experts, all former senior admissions and financial aid officers, are available to work privately with your student to achieve admissions success. [![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/146790/bc12ce26-16f4-405a-b49f-f4443fbba468.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/146790/bc12ce26-16f4-405a-b49f-f4443fbba468) ### About this Blog *The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts *is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics.  We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education. ### Subscribe via E-mail ### Follow College Coach ### Latest Posts ### Posts by category - [College Admissions Consulting (93)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) - [College Applications (49)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) - [Applying for Financial Aid (39)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) - [How to Pay for College (30)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/how-to-pay-for-college) - [Choosing the Right College (24)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/choosing-the-right-college) - [College Essays (21)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-essays) - [College Coach Mentionables: News & Events (20)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-coach-mentionables-news-events) - [College Entrance Exams (19)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-entrance-exams) - [College Loan Advice (18)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-loan-advice) - [Finding Scholarships (17)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/finding-scholarships) - [Meet an Admissions Counselor (10)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/meet-an-admissions-counselor) - [College Visits (8)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-visits) © 2016 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC - [Blog](https://146790.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Press](http://preview2012.getintocollege.com/about-college-coach/press) - [Contact](https://146790.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Customer Login](https://vlc.getintocollege.com/vlc/login) - [Privacy Policy](http://preview2012.getintocollege.com/Privacy-Policy) - [Terms of Use](http://preview2012.getintocollege.com/Terms-Of-Use) - [Trademark Policy](http://www.brighthorizons.com/home/trademarks.aspx)