Help colleges predict your financial aid.

One month ago, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, went “live.” If your student is a high school senior, your family should have completed a FAFSA. If not, complete an application as soon as possible, especially if you are considering colleges next year. The FAFSA can be essential when applying for Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) for a school.

“A merit aid pre-read is a process in which a college reviews a student’s qualifications, as well as their financial background, and then makes a prediction about what level of both need-based and merit-based aid can be expected before a student formally applies and is admitted.

This allows families to better determine what colleges may be a good fit financially before their child applies.” (Road2College, 2021)

More colleges are instituting this process for potential applicants to assist them with determining affordability. Student-athletes should ask the Admission Office or the college coach if a pre-read is offered.

In conjunction with the FAFSA, families should plan to complete the College Scholarship Service Profile, also known as the CSS Profile, offered by The College Board.

What’s the difference between the FAFSA and the CSS Profile? Both applications help determine your eligibility for aid; however, while the FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid, the CSS Profile is a private form that some colleges use to determine eligibility for institutional aid.

Providing your interested college with as much of your academic, athletic, and financial information up front will assist their personnel with deciding whether or not their school is a viable option for you as a family academically, athletically, and financially.