What should I do now (October 2024) while waiting for FAFSA to open Now – Register on FAFSA website to get SAI (Student Aid Index) Actual completion of FAFSA occurs this year from Dec 1st Go to - https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch Create your FSAID account – one for the parent and one for the student You will need Full … [Read more...]

FAFSA 2025-26 The rollout of the new FAFSA software last year was pretty much a disaster and everyone was hoping that things would be back on track this year. Usually, October 1st is the start date for new FAFSA applications. Unfortunately, there will be very limited availability to complete applications then. The full launch is scheduled to only start … [Read more...]

Student loans have become more and more expensive in the past few years. The Federal government has determined the Federal Direct Student Loan interest rates for the school year 2024-25, and they will be higher.   This will be for new federal loans disbursed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.  The net increase is 1.3% higher than … [Read more...]

The Unpredictability of Predictions We all make predictions about things in life—some with lesser consequences than others. But if we see or hear something on TV or Radio (or now Podcast), then SURELY that information must be from an expert who knows something, and we should follow their advice. Here are some things I have heard going into 2023: Because … [Read more...]

Before we go through this, let me say that each family’s situation is unique, and I strongly suggest that you talk with a financial advisor before making any decisions. The standard for calculations in communication from the Social Security Administration is an anacronym FRA or “Full Retirement Age” as per the Social Security Administration. For anyone born in … [Read more...]

Seniors - An issue we will all face today or in the future A friend of mine got a call from his Pickleball buddy asking if he wanted to play on Saturday morning. He replied, “Don’t all the old people play on Saturday morning?” His friend retorted, “Joe, we ARE old people!” A subject coming up for discussion frequently with my clients is about elderly … [Read more...]

Parents – Have I had a discussion with my spouse as to who is paying for college? Some parents want to pay for everything for college because that is what their parents did for them, or they want their students to be able to focus solely on their studies. Other parents would like their students to have some skin in the game with some loans. Yet other … [Read more...]