---
title: "The Cost of College: Understanding Financing and How to Save Thousands"
image: https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hubfs/group%20of%20diverse%20students%20CAP.jpeg
---

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## September 21, 2022

## Preparing for 10/1

## **What can I be doing as the student?**

- Collaborate with us on your school choices. We’ve been doing this for a long time, we are a great resource. Take advantage!
- Be active in engaging your top choices. Seek out your admission counselor and ask insightful questions via phone call or email (once you've applied). Follow-up with a HANDWRITTEN thank-you note and mail it to them via snail mail.
- Stay engaged on social media with your favorite colleges, they are grading you!  
  [Get Social!](https://cfs.qwilr.com/Admissions-Social-Media-Level-of-Interest-BFPrc1QrQvKy)
- Common App essays! Want more help with your essay? [CLICK HERE](https://youtu.be/Rhxmij1073Y) to watch 1 HOUR Session with [The College Essay Guy](https://www.collegeessayguy.com/), Ethan Sawyer!
- 2 Teacher recommendations - if you don't have these already, nows the time to lock these down. 

## **What should I be doing as the parent?**

- **Early Action / Early Decision - If you are applying EA or ED to any schools please let us know ASAP. We need to know this information by Oct 10th the latest. **
- If you haven’t done so already make sure you send us your 2021 tax returns, and other relevant financial info
- Suggestion: Create a new, unique family email account (parent and student access) just for all things college. It will help you separate colleges you are actually targeting vs. SPAM.
- Collaborate with us on school lists and cost projections. Know what you’ll pay **BEFORE** you apply.
- If you prefer your financial aid applications to be submitted ASAP, just let us know. HOWEVER, so long as you satisfy priority deadlines (earliest is 11/1/21), there is no financial advantage to submitting before then.
- FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE are accessible Oct. 1st. The earliest deadline for early applicants is Nov. 1st (very small % of colleges).

## **How can we help you?**

- Take advantage of our accessibility; if you feel like you’re behind, just book a meeting and we’ll get you back on track
- Cost projections and college recommendations
- Financial recommendations

## **How can you help us?**

- **Keep us in the loop. **Make sure we know when colleges are added to the list, updated GPA’s, test scores, etc.
- Engage with us on social media and like/share our social handles! Find links at the bottom of our emails :)
- If you think we’ve provided value to date, please recommend us to friends, family, neighbors, etc.
- If you are not completely satisfied please tell us right away so we can right the ship.

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