Determining financial aid is based on a family’s “need.” Need is determined by looking at a family’s income and assets — and, in some financial aid applications, expenses like medical
Key Takeaways Reporting assets under the wrong family member or including non-assessable accounts like retirement can artificially inflate your Student Aid Index (SAI) and reduce aid eligibility. Confusing FAFSA rules
Key Takeaways The FAFSA uses the Federal Methodology (FM) to assess income and assets without considering expenses, determining eligibility for federal and state aid. The CSS Profile uses the Institutional
For families with a student headed to college, financial aid can feel like a black box. Between a federal formula that has changed significantly in recent years, differences from one
Key Takeaways Application Types Matter: Primary home equity and retirement accounts are excluded from the FAFSA, but the CSS Profile counts primary home equity and evaluates broader financial details. Real
Key Takeaways Gift aid and self-help aid are not the same thing — only scholarships and grants lower your bottom line; loans and work-study still have to be earned or
Key Takeaways There are two distinct kinds of appeals. Special circumstance appeals address real financial hardship, and competitive appeals help you beat a peer school’s better offer; each requires a
Key Takeaways Yes, you can use IRA money for college. Qualified higher education expenses can qualify for an exception to the 10% early-withdrawal tax that normally applies before age 59½,
The Scholarship Numbers Game: Fewer than 2% of high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship, and only ~1% get a full ride. Relying solely on athletic aid is a risky
The College Transparency Act could give families better college cost and outcome data. The bipartisan proposal would make it easier to compare tuition, financial aid, graduation rates, student debt, and
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Capstone Wealth Partners is a fee-only independent Registered Investment Advisor in Columbus, Ohio. We are financial planners for college-bound families.
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