College Planning

FAFSA Resources for Students and ProfessionalsTwitterFacebookLinkedinemailiStock Last week, the Department of Education wrapped up its four-day virtual Federal Student Aid (FSA) Training Conference. The conference mainly serves as an annual training for financial aid professionals who disburse federal aid to students on campus. COVID-19 has created a great deal of uncertainty among students and families, as well as admission and financial aid professionals. Foremost among these uncertainties is the fact that there has been a 15 percent decline in FAFSA submissions from high school seniors nationwide compared with the same time last year. Now, more than ever, students and families need information and support to complete the financial aid process. Some resources highlighted at the conferenc...

A breathtaking shift from autocracy to an open HE systemUZBEKISTAN The higher education landscape in Uzbekistan, Central Asia, has been changing rapidly over the past three years. Since the passing of Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov, in 2016, who had been in power since 1991, the country has seen an about-face under the leadership of his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.Under Mirziyoyev, a swathe of policies aim to transform higher education into what one government minister has called ‘Universities 3.0’. These policies will give universities more autonomy to choose their own leaders and to manage their own affairs through their governing bodies, will give universities greater control over student numbers and course offerings and will liberalise price controls on tuition fees a...

Get the Most Out of ACT Academy Free Test Prep With These 5 TipsIf you’re looking for ACT prep that provides questions that are just like the real exam, look no further than ACT Academy, a (free!) test prep resource created by the makers of the ACT. If you’ve heard of ACT Academy but aren’t exactly sure how to use it or who it’s a good fit for, this overview of ACT Academy test prep is for you. In this article, we’ll cover all of the following info about ACT Academy: How to use ACT Academy test prep Four things that ACT Academy is good for in terms of test prep Four things that ACT Academy isn’t good for in terms of test prep Five tips for getting the most out of ACT Academy test prep. Let’s begin! What Is ACT Academy Test Prep? ACT Academy is a free, self-guided and self-paced online ...

A New Perspective Twitter Facebook Linkedin email Photo courtesy of Tara Miller I always opt for the window seat. Where else do you get the chance to expand your view of the world, only as the roads, trees, and buildings become smaller? When I fly, that time looking out the window is often when I reflect. It’s also when a song on my playlist might make me cry. Seems to happen more often miles above the earth. Not sure if it’s the cabin air, or the fact that this vantage point allows me time to really listen and hear. These moments of reflection often bring about new ideas. This pandemic has been a time to reflect as well. It has been hard, and at first, I found myself struggling to manage it all. The emails tripled, the online meetings quadrupled, and the workday seemed longer. W...

I’m A Parent – What Should I Be Doing While My Child Applies To Colleges?Parents may be watching as your child gets ready to fly the nest, but there’s still more for you to do first!Provide support without taking over.It can be hard for parents to let students take the lead during college applications, but it’s crucial. You can – and should – be a cheerleader for your child, you can offer advice and help, but your role is that of an assistant, not a manager. Your child should take the lead, with you staying at the periphery.Check in to help your child stay on track.It’s a good idea to schedule regular check-ins, whether it be once a week or once a month. Your child can come to you with issues at any time, but regular check-ins allow you to gauge their mental state, any concerns they have, ...