Posted by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on 05/21/2013

Can you hear the noise? I’m referring to the celebrating that stock market watchers make when the stock indexes are breaking records. It’s been happening lately with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. With the stock market in an upbeat mood recently, this is as good a time as…

Posted by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on 05/20/2013

“My family makes too much to qualify for financial aid.” Lots of parents believe this statement, but plenty of them are wrong. In reality, many families qualify for some sort of financial aid. This financial aid myth is a stubborn one because parents don’t understand how financial aid needs are determined. What Doesn’t Count Parents…

Posted by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on 05/18/2013

How much will you have to pay for college? The answer will depend heavily on your Expected Family Contribution. If you missed it, our last post explained what an EFC is and why it’s important to know what yours is. Are You Too Wealthy to Qualify For Financial Aid? The good news is that you…

Posted by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on 05/08/2013

For decades teenagers across the country have been applying to colleges blindly when it comes to costs. Most students have no idea when they submit their applications if the schools will give them scholarships or grants. In fact, teenagers and their parents often don’t discover whether a school will be generous or stingy until a…

Posted by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on 05/02/2013

Will your investments hurt your chances for financial aid? Many parents worry about this, but investment accounts rarely impact financial aid awards. It’s been estimated that only 7% of families who complete aid applications are penalized for their savings. Reasons Why Savings Rarely Matters Here are two big reasons why your investments, as well as…