--- title: "The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions | Applying for Financial Aid (2)" description: Applying for Financial Aid | The official blog of College Coach, a division of Bright Horizons. Our expert view on all things college admissions. (2) --- [![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 ## [The Worst Financial Aid Mistake (And How to Fix It!) | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364126/The-Worst-Financial-Aid-Mistake-And-How-to-Fix-It-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Shannon Vasconcelos](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/shannon-vasconcelos) on Tue, Aug 04, 2015 @ 02:30 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/364126/The-Worst-Financial-Aid-Mistake-And-How-to-Fix-It-College-Coach-Blog) [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364126/The-Worst-Financial-Aid-Mistake-And-How-to-Fix-It-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [The Importance of College Deadlines | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363622/The-Importance-of-College-Deadlines-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Shannon Vasconcelos](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/shannon-vasconcelos) on Tue, Jun 16, 2015 @ 04:15 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3147601742-jpg/images/postits_small.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363622/The-Importance-of-College-Deadlines-College-Coach-Blog) ## Paying for College: A Financial Aid Deadline Disaster John was an excellent student. He studied hard in high school, was an involved student leader, aced his standardized tests, and come fall of his senior year, all of his diligence paid off: He was accepted Early Decision to a selective East Coast private college. This college also happened to be the school of his dreams. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363622/The-Importance-of-College-Deadlines-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [Should I Pay Off My House to Get More Financial Aid? | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363285/Should-I-Pay-Off-My-House-to-Get-More-Financial-Aid-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Shannon Vasconcelos](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/shannon-vasconcelos) on Tue, Jun 09, 2015 @ 03:43 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-912517217-jpg/images/coco_130820_0378.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363285/Should-I-Pay-Off-My-House-to-Get-More-Financial-Aid-College-Coach-Blog) With college costs at an all-time high, it is no wonder that parents are looking for ways to increase their financial aid eligibility. There is a lot of advice flying around the rumor mill about ways to [get more financial aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/336472/How-to-Increase-Financial-Aid-for-College)—some of it true, a lot of it false, and much based in kernels of truth. Among these questionable pieces of advice is the common refrain that you ought to pay off your house in order to get more financial aid. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363285/Should-I-Pay-Off-My-House-to-Get-More-Financial-Aid-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [What is Work-Study & Why It’s Worth Doing | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363183/What-is-Work-Study-Why-It-s-Worth-Doing-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Laurie Peltier](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/laurie-peltier) on Tue, May 19, 2015 @ 03:53 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3147600277-jpg/images/keyboard-small.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363183/What-is-Work-Study-Why-It-s-Worth-Doing-College-Coach-Blog) ## Why a Work-Study Program is Worth It *This is the fourth in a series of posts that college finance expert, *[*Laurie Peltier*](http://www.getintocollege.com/our-experts/college-finance/college-finance-experts/laurie-peltier)*, is writing about her own experience going through the college application and enrollment processes with her kids. Her previous posts focused on how to stay organized during the *[college search](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/358116/Staying-Organized-During-the-College-Search-College-Coach)* and *[final decision-making](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/361834/Making-a-Decision-about-College-Staying-Organized-College-Coach-Blog)* process*es, and getting to know your school*. Here, she discusses the benefits of the Federal Work Study program.* [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363183/What-is-Work-Study-Why-It-s-Worth-Doing-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [The Federal Student Aid PIN is Changing | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363002/The-Federal-Student-Aid-PIN-is-Changing-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Kathy Ruby](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/kathy-ruby) on Sat, May 09, 2015 @ 10:30 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-538957130-jpg/images/coco_130820_0335-1.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363002/The-Federal-Student-Aid-PIN-is-Changing-College-Coach-Blog) We’re happy to share some important news from the U.S. Department of Education. Beginning Sunday, May 10, they will be implementing a new Federal Student Aid User ID system, which will replace the 4-digit PIN. The PIN was used by students and parents throughout the financial aid process to: [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363002/The-Federal-Student-Aid-PIN-is-Changing-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [Bankruptcy and Financial Aid | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/362965/Bankruptcy-and-Financial-Aid-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Shannon Vasconcelos](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/shannon-vasconcelos) on Wed, May 06, 2015 @ 08:28 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/362965/Bankruptcy-and-Financial-Aid-College-Coach-Blog) While bankruptcy is never one’s life goals, the fact is it happens.  Job loss, medical expenses, divorce, and life’s other financial twists and turns can lead folks who never imagined doing so to file for bankruptcy protection.  Bankruptcy filings have been steadily on the rise over the past century, especially since the 1980s, with close to a million consumers seeking [bankruptcy protection in 2014](http://www.uscourts.gov/Statistics/BankruptcyStatistics.aspx).  With the massive financial investment that comes with college, it is no surprise that as a college finance educator, I often get questions from parents and students about bankruptcy’s effect on college financial aid.  Here are the 3 most common questions I receive about bankruptcy and financial aid: [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/362965/Bankruptcy-and-Financial-Aid-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [Financial Aid Verification – How to Handle the Process | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/361337/Financial-Aid-Verification-How-to-Handle-the-Process-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Robyn Stewart](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/robyn-stewart) on Wed, Feb 25, 2015 @ 05:05 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/361337/Financial-Aid-Verification-How-to-Handle-the-Process-College-Coach-Blog) Many high school seniors and their families selected for financial aid verification are currently wondering “What could the Financial Aid Office *possibly* want now?” May 1, the national deadline to deposit at your chosen college is looming in the not-so-distant future, and yet some students are still submitting additional information to the aid offices on their college list. “Didn’t we already send them this?” families may wonder as they jump through what they perceive to be another hoop on the road to receiving financial aid. Remember, the [financial aid process](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/?Tag=Applying+for+Financial+Aid) is an exchange of information for dollars: your financial information for financial aid dollars. Don’t be discouraged! Your financial aid offer is on the way, but you may have a few extra steps to take. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/361337/Financial-Aid-Verification-How-to-Handle-the-Process-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [Will Listing Schools on the FAFSA affect My Chances of Getting In? | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/360025/Will-Listing-Schools-on-the-FAFSA-affect-My-Chances-of-Getting-In-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Kathy Ruby](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/kathy-ruby) on Wed, Jan 14, 2015 @ 04:35 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-859519827-jpg/images/coco_130820_0236.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/360025/Will-Listing-Schools-on-the-FAFSA-affect-My-Chances-of-Getting-In-College-Coach-Blog) It’s after January 1, and if you are a high school senior, you and your parents will be completing the 2015-2016 [Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/358881/Applying-for-Financial-Aid-Top-10-FAFSA-Mistakes) very soon (if you haven’t already!). The FAFSA is a centralized application that allows you to complete the form and send its results to up to ten schools at a time. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/360025/Will-Listing-Schools-on-the-FAFSA-affect-My-Chances-of-Getting-In-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [5 Reasons Wealthy Students Should Apply for Financial Aid | College Coach](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/359117/5-Reasons-Wealthy-Students-Should-Apply-for-Financial-Aid-College-Coach) Posted by [Shannon Vasconcelos](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/shannon-vasconcelos) on Thu, Dec 11, 2014 @ 03:00 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/359117/5-Reasons-Wealthy-Students-Should-Apply-for-Financial-Aid-College-Coach) With students right in the thick of college application season, and the financial aid process right around the corner (next year’s [FAFSA](https://fafsa.ed.gov/) becomes available on January 1st), College Coach’s [finance experts](http://www.getintocollege.com/our-experts/college-finance) are flooded this time of year with some variation of the question, “Do I need to complete a FASFA if I’m not going to qualify for financial aid?” The short answer to that question is “no.” The FAFSA is a financial aid application, and no student is required to apply for financial aid. Believe me, colleges will be more than happy to admit your child without providing you any financial assistance. Still, there are many reasons why you may want to complete an aid application even if you don’t expect to qualify for need-based assistance: [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/359117/5-Reasons-Wealthy-Students-Should-Apply-for-Financial-Aid-College-Coach) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) ## [Applying for Financial Aid: Top 10 FAFSA Mistakes](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/358881/Applying-for-Financial-Aid-Top-10-FAFSA-Mistakes) Posted by [Shannon Vasconcelos](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/shannon-vasconcelos) on Sat, Dec 06, 2014 @ 03:00 PM - [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/358881/Applying-for-Financial-Aid-Top-10-FAFSA-Mistakes) Though clearly consisting of five letters, the FAFSA, for some people, is a four-letter word.  The financial aid application has an intimidating reputation, and many families dread completing it.  The good news is that the FAFSA has been simplified quite a bit in recent years, with helpful skip-logic imbedded in the online version of the form. These days, most families are able to undergo the FAFSA completion process with little difficulty.  Still, there are some common mistakes that families often make when filing the FAFSA.  Take care to avoid the missteps below, and you’ll be well on your way to a smooth financial aid application process. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/358881/Applying-for-Financial-Aid-Top-10-FAFSA-Mistakes) Tags: [Applying for Financial Aid](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) [Previous Page](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid/page/1) [All Posts](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/all) [Next Page](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid/page/3) ### 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. 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