After application submissions, who wants to fill out more forms? But with the new calendar year firmly established, taxes are on their way. Now is the perfect time to file paperwork for Federal Application for Financial Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is the form used to determine a student's eligibility for federal financial aid and grants. Here are a few tips on filing the FAFSA:

1. File No Matter What

Even if you expect your total family income or contribution to disqualify you from federal financial aid, filing the FAFSA will not work against you. Many scholarship and grant programs use the FAFSA to determine who its recipients will be. Not filing means giving up any chance of federal financial aid. Even if parents earn a substantial income, a student may be eligible for a grant or loan. State and university programs also refer to students’ FAFSA information to determine financial aid award.

2. Earlier Submission Means More Aid

Check individual school deadlines, but try to submit FAFSA forms as early as possible no matter what the deadlines are. The earlier FAFSA forms are submitted, the better chance students have at receiving awards. Many federal aid awards – including the Pell Grant, AC Grant, SMART Grant, FSEO Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and work study – are given on a first-come, first-awarded basis. Submitting late might cut students out of certain forms of aid, or shrink their overall award.

3. File Taxes Now for FAFSA Information

The first way to ensure early submission of FAFSA forms is to file taxes early. Almost 80% of FAFSA information comes from IRS tax data. If you do not yet have pay stubs or W-2 forms, estimate based on last year’s information and attach copies of last year’s forms. Once you get all the necessary forms and complete your tax return, you can file a FAFSA correction if needed.

4. Coordinate and Communicate Family Finances

Federal financial aid ability depends on the need of a family, which is determined by weighing college expenses against a family’s annual income and savings. The greater the need of the family, the larger the amount of aid for the student. A family can raise its aid ability by putting more than one student through school simultaneously. This includes parents who might be returning to school, too. A little coordination can increase aid dramatically.

Communication between families and to financial aid offices is also essential. If family income was higher than usual, inform the school’s financial aid office to explain why it was unusual and unlikely to happen again. On the other hand, if a family member had a layoff, salary cut, or any medical expenses, families can appeal to have their financial aid package adjusted. Send  documentation of these circumstances with a notification to the school.

5. Remember to sign all required lines

Last but not least, make sure all required signatures are complete! Missing a signature can deny a complete FAFSA. This is a simple mistake, but commonly cited in college financial aid offices.

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Here are SAT exam and ACT exam test dates…

Our recommendation is to take the SAT and ACT exams sooner than later. We’ve posted the SAT exam schedule and the ACT exam schedule and test dates below. Mark your calendars for these exams, and let us know if you need private tutoring for the SAT and ACT.

The SAT Exam schedule and test dates are as follows:

November 6, 2010 (SAT)

December 4, 2010 (SAT)

January 22, 2011 (SAT)

March 12, 2011 (SAT)

May 7, 2011 (SAT)

June 4, 2011 (SAT)

The ACT Exam schedule and test dates are as follows:

October 23, 2010 (ACT)

December 11, 2010 (ACT)

February 12, 2011 (ACT)

April 9, 2011 (ACT)

June 11, 2011 (ACT)

Contact us if you’re looking for SAT prep or ACT prep, at (800) 501-Prep.

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In the college admissions process, test scores, grades, and academic records are steadfast pillars of measure. But students also have a few opportunities to come off of the paper and out of the numbers. Adding dimension to applications will create a more memorable applicant.

While essays and interviews demonstrate writing talent and personality, extracurriculars (ECs) have the potential to illustrate certain qualities and skills. Here are a two points that admissions counselors are thinking when they see a list of ECs:

Qualities over Quantity: What qualities do these activities show?

The number one question for parents and students is whether participating in a few or in many ECs is better. Quality — or quantity?

Participating in numerous ECs can show a wide-range of interests and the willingness to try new challenges. But students who have core interests and progress within those interests stand out more. Remember: counselors are looking at ECs not only to see that a person is active outside of the classroom, but to see what qualities come through.

A long list of activities that each last a semester will not stand out as much as a solid group of activities that continues over a few years. That continuity in itself shows dedication. Moving into leadership positions – becoming captain of a team after three years, organizing a book drive after working at a library – shows perseverance, improvement, and initiative. Progression in a few ECs will make students stand out more than a list of twelve short-term activities.

How do these activities translate into becoming a successful student at their school?

Colleges are interested in recruiting students who not only performed excellently in high school, but who will do well in college. The qualities that students demonstrate in ECs – perseverance, leadership, initiative – are qualities an admissions counselor can see translating into college endeavors, internships, research and even future professional work.

While students and parents might see ECs as a way to gain acceptance into a competitive school or to receive a scholarship, admissions counselors are also looking for qualities that will produce a future alumnus/a of their college who will play an active role in a community, corporation, foundation, or other entity.

Chosen well, the participation and challenges of ECs are not just for gaining acceptance into a school, but a foundation for future leadership and intellectual endeavors. Admissions counselors recognize and seek such qualities in ECs.

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"Studere, contendere, vincere – studying, striving, conquering."

Learning a little Latin and Greek might seem like embarking on an extraneous endeavor when preparing for a test, but the benefits abound. Deciding to research etymology does not mean signing up for a new course or major, either. Here are the top five reasons to spend some time learning from Caesar and Homer.

1. Increase vocabulary test scores.

One ancient word stem can expand vocabulary acquisition for hundreds of other words.

For example, learning that “android” comes from “andro” (male) and “oid” (as/like) we can see the association to common words found while reading, as well as other terms.

Here are a just a few words with the “andro” root: anandrious, andric, androcentric, androcyte, androgygreed, diandrous, ergatandry, misandrous, philander, polyandry, pseudandrous.

2. Raise logical thinking and reasoning skills.

Latin and Greek can also boost test sections with science, reasoning, biology, or legal concepts. The discipline and structure of the languages act as a natural aid in practicing logical thinking, which shows up in reasoning portions of tests – including in math sections.

3. Gain a pre-med or pre-law vocabulary base.

For anyone considering medical or legal work, a foundation in Latin and Greek can help initial comprehension of terms and will serve in the long-term, too.

Most people know the term pro bono. What about in flagrante delicto (caught in the act)?

Or, osteoporosis? If you learn “osteo” (bone) and “por” (holes – like “porous”) and “osis” (condition) you’ll already know parts of many other terms. You’re halfway to knowing “osteocranium.”

4. Build a historical and cultural base.

Any language venture entails learning about the culture behind the words, too. For Latin and Greek, this means tracing the tradition of Western thinking. Government, business, law, medicine, philosophy – all of these have origins in ancient Latin and Greek thinkers.

5. Te videbunt – Adding Latin or Greek will make your resume more noticeable.

If you are not enrolled in an official class for Latin or Greek, you can create the opportunity to study these languages with a tutor, during test prep sessions, or through another avenue. You will enhance your academic credentials and stand out.

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Waiting for college admission decisions can be stressful. Deadlines for regular admission to most schools – graduate and undergraduate – have closed. The culmination of months of writing essays, taking tests, filling forms and asking for recommendations has passed. After focused effort and studying for tests, sending in applications can feel like an anticlimactic false summit; the work of applying is over. But you haven’t yet attained your goal. Welcome to Limbo Land.

Although you might feel powerless, there are a few ways to cope while waiting to hear from colleges.

1. You cannot change your applications or essays now, so don’t worry about them.

Worrying about things you cannot change will stress you more than dealing with other aspects of your life that you have control over. You’ve done your best, applied, and now it’s time to move back to the present. The waiting time will pass more quickly this way, too.

2. Maintain academic rigor and focus on your main activities and work.

Your test scores and transcripts are in – but maintaining a strong academic record can only help you. In fact, if an admissions office contacts your current school, it is imperative that you show continued effort. Furthermore, if you are put on a waiting list strong work will boost your chances of acceptance.

3. Visit campuses if you haven’t, and reinvestigate programs of interest.

If you didn’t get a chance to visit all the colleges you applied to, think about visiting during the waiting period. Seeing a college firsthand and talking with professors and current students might broaden your view about your first choice and other options. You can also use this time to do extra research on colleges and programs to make more informed decisions when acceptance or rejection letters do come.

4. Connect with your friends and family to relax – go have fun!

Tests and applications are essential for college, but they are also just one part of life. In the middle of test preparation and application essays, the world sometimes shrinks into a microcosm with different priorities. Stress is part of the process, but now it is time for a little decompression. Spending time with friends and family is a great way to show appreciation, especially if you’ve been hunkered down with applications the past few months.

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We’re so happy to let our readers know that we’ve added a new writer for our “Insider’s Guide to Admissions” blog. Marta Casey has joined our team as a writer extraordinaire! I’ve known Marta since our days at NMH School where she tried her best to teach me how to ski. Though I may not have become the best (or any good for that matter) at skiing, I am so happy we re-connected so that she can share her wisdom and knowledge on college admissions, test prep – hopefully helping both parents and students navigate the admissions process.

Here’s a bit about Marta…

Marta Casey attended the NMH School and School Year Abroad (Italy), where she studied Latin, Ancient Greek, Italian, and Sanskrit. At Beloit College she majored in Journalism and Visual Communication and studied Chinese. After graduating summa cum laude, she taught English in China for two years at Henan University, where she worked with deans and teachers at the university to redesign tests for the English department. She is currently applying to master degree programs for Chinese Studies.

Besides language study and writing, Marta loves to run, bike, and nap with her dogs.

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We’re delighted to welcome her on board to Top Test Prep.

-Ross Blankenship
Chairman, Top Test Prep

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Here’s our latest video on “How to Get into the Best Schools” with Top Test Prep’s private tutoring and admissions counseling programs.

Top Test Prep helps hundreds of families each year get into top private schools, colleges and grad schools, with admissions and test preparation.

For more information, call (800) 501-Prep or visit Top Test Prep today.

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Top Test Prep is proud to announce a new set of free college admissions seminars for parents.

If you’d like to attend these college admissions seminars on the following topics:

• Tuesday, January 25, 6 – 7 pm:

“How to Improve Your Child’s SAT and ACT scores”

• Wednesday, February 16, 6 – 7 pm:

“10 Secrets to Getting College Scholarships”

• Monday, March 7, 6 – 7 pm:

“What Parents Can Expect in College Admissions”

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Parents, complete the following sign up form:

Register here for College Admissions Seminars (Workshop)
*The admissions seminars will be held by education expert and admissions expert, Ross Blankenship.  Ross Blankenship’s profile can be found here on Top Test Prep’s Team page.

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Top Test Prep’s Perfect SAT and ACT Score Challenge is here!  To find out about the Perfect SAT / ACT exam score, call (800) 501-Prep.

The Perfect SAT and ACT Score Challenge (TopTestPrep.com)

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Note, Contest rules: The Top Test Prep, Perfect Score Challenge is valid until September 21, 2011. The challenge included a scholarship over 4-years for 1 student.

Tags: ACT exam, ACT Prep, SAT exam, SAT Prep // View Comments