College Planning

January is one of the most important months in the college planning process. It is a natural time to take a breath and reset, evaluate where you are and create a clear strategy for the months ahead.

Whether you are a junior gearing up and getting into the nitty gritty of it all, or a senior facing decision points, there are opportunities at this stage in the year to set yourself up for success in both admission outcomes and affordability.

Here are some focus points to help you get the year started on the right track.

1. Financial Aid and FAFSA deadlines

Deadlines are critical for these applications to maximize your financial aid. Also, some schools require the forms for merit scholarships even though they are not need-based.

• Families should be completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if required) if they have not already- early submission ensures you do not miss priority windows for university grants
• Check for other college-specific deadlines such as unique scholarship opportunities separate from merit scholarships

2. Review Academic Progress and Mid-Year Grades

Reflect on your academic progress and be sure to have a plan for the second half of the school year.

• Mid-year grades matter- colleges use them to confirm academic consistency, make decisions for students who were deferred in the early action process, and evaluate the academic rigor for juniors
• Check in with teachers if you have any concerns about finishing the year strong to get extra support

3. Evaluate and Focus on Extracurricular Activities and Their Impact

Think ahead about what else you would like to get involved with before college for your own growth and interest and to help with your college applications.

• Reflect and consider what you want to focus on for spring and summer
• Do you want to take on a leadership role? Start an impactful project? Set up an experience for summer that will be meaningful for you and your college application?

4. Make a Standardized Testing Plan (Juniors)

Spring is a common testing window. Start making your plan now for spring.

• Decide on testing or test optional
• If you take tests, which will you take? SAT, ACT, or both?
• What will be your test prep? Also, how many attempts will you make?

5. Plan for Spring College Visits Now

College open houses fill up for February and April breaks.

• Sign up for open houses early and make your hotel reservations early if needed
• Create a spreadsheet or list of items to compare for each college such as costs, student environment, geography, academics, unique features, etc.

6. Refresh Your College List

Your college list will likely evolve, and that is a good thing. It is a good time to re-evaluate based on these items:

• Your academic interests
• Your academic performance
• Information from your research on the college
• Likelihood of a merit scholarship (important affordability factor)
• Geographical location
• A “best fit” both financially and for the student’s overall experience and comfortability

7. Create Your Student and Family Timeline for the Next Six Months

Having an organized plan and roadmap of upcoming deadlines and “to dos” will help the whole family stay on track and reduce stress.

Some Items for Your January to June Timeline:

• Testing dates and prep plan
• Financial aid application deadlines
• Campus visits
• Application items for seniors
• Setting up activities for spring and summer
• College List review of your top criteria and schools
• Family meeting times- set time aside during these busy years to create a calm space for discussing your college plans
• Anything else that needs to be done!

January is a great time to set up expectations and success for the coming year. Thinking about your strategy now and following your own plan and committing to steps will go a long way to being successful in finding the right college fit for the student and the family’s financial situation.

Start your plan NOW knowing you will have a momentous year ahead, approaching the exciting “move-in” day when you see your efforts pay off!

-DC

This time of year, many of us are trying our best to be thoughtful and giving to both to our own families and those in need. This is a wonderful thing!

In the article that follows, our colleague Donna Cournoyer shares some ideas about what parents can give to college-bound children, and what college-preparing high schoolers might consider for their parents.

Hint: It’s not what you think.

Your first thoughts might be: 529 contributions, cash, a new laptop, a university sweatshirt, money for books, dorm supplies, part-time job earnings, and more.

While all these items are important for both college students and their parents, I have something other things in mind—and they are free.

Time

The gift of time is a wonderful thing, always.

For college planning families, making the time to sit down together and focus on your college plan during this busy holiday season is truly valuable.

It is usually a time when both parents and students have a bit of time off from their regular work and school commitments and the world slows down to celebrate. (After the hectic lead up to your holiday schedule!)

Midway through the school year is also a good point for students to refocus on what is coming up in spring; SAT/ACT, college visits, creating the college list, and much more.

Making the effort to set a time for a detailed discussion as a family, rather than hope to be able to fit some time in this season, can be very beneficial to preparing for upcoming college planning items to be sure you stay focused and on track, and less stressed.

Consideration

When you are making your way through the college planning process, be sure to consider other points of view.

Students: Your parents are doing their best to provide a college education for you that comes at a cost. It is not easy to save and navigate both financing and finding the right fit for you at a college where you will connect and flourish. While it is often stressful to plan for college, try to be considerate of the commitment your parents are making to set you up for success.

Parents: Your students are likely as stressed as you, but in a different way. We all know the pressures related to what peers are doing; to getting good grades; to getting accepted; and generally to performing well in high school.

Your students will have ups and downs and may need a bit of a break or extra consideration at times as they try to do their best.

Perfection is not usually necessary to be a good candidate for college admission. Being considerate of your approach as you work together will go a long way toward facilitating this long-term process and having it unfold as smoothly as possible.

Dedication

Showing up for the process is key. Doing your best amid the emotional and complex process of college planning helps you both in the long run.

Parents and Students should commit to items that need to be taken care of, including:

• researching colleges
• estimating costs
• finding a college with the right “fit”
• scheduling open-house visits
• contacting admissions reps
• putting in study time
• attending college fairs
• getting involved
• working on college essays
• beginning and completing college applications
• considering majors
• thinking about post-college study or work

This is just a sample of what goes into college planning, and it can seem like a lot!

Start early and break down your planning into small, digestible steps and dedicate yourself to keeping up with the plan, within reason. Again, this will go a long way in the long run.

Patience

Finally, patience. We all know by now that this college process is one of the biggest investments and life events for families.

The more you find ways to stay calm, and be consistent in your preparation and approach, the more you can enjoy the excitement of this hard-earned and well-deserved milestone!

High school years are packed with more activities and events than ever before. Combine that with the fast-paced, news-bombarded world we live in, and it is important to take a breath. Literally.

Do whatever works best for you to gain peace of mind and remain calm – and keep it going.

Students and parents: You are both doing your best. Try to keep that in mind when unexpected things come up or when pressure builds. It is inevitable, but not unsurmountable.

Keeping a peaceful approach may seem optimistic, but if you try your best to keep your patience with each other and remember not to aim for perfection, or sweat the small stuff, you do have a perfect chance of making it to and through your college years!

As a college and financial planner, one of the most common questions I hear from families is, “What exactly is a merit scholarship — and how do we get one?”

Let’s clear up the confusion.

Merit scholarships are scholarships given by colleges to attract strong students, and are not necessarily based on financial need.

Unlike need-based aid, which depends on your family’s income and assets, merit scholarships award qualities such as academic achievement, leadership, artistic talent, or community involvement.

What Merit Scholarships Really Are

Think of merit scholarships as a college’s way of saying, “We want you on our campus.”

They’re funded directly by the school, and they can significantly reduce the “sticker price” of attendance. These scholarships might cover a few thousand dollars per year or — in some cases — a lot more.

What many families don’t realize is that merit awards are also a strategic enrollment tool.

Colleges use them to attract students who raise the school’s academic profile or fill certain institutional goals. That means strong grades, test scores, or special skills can translate directly into financial savings.

How Merit Scholarships Differ from Need-Based Aid

• Merit Scholarships: Based on student achievements and potential.
• Need-Based Aid: Based on family financial situation, as shown on the FAFSA and sometimes the CSS Profile.
• A student from a high-income family can still qualify for merit scholarships, even if they don’t qualify for need-based assistance.

Which Schools Do Not Offer Merit Scholarships

Many of the elite and highly selective colleges do not offer merit scholarships at all, focusing solely on need-based financial aid. Examples include:

• Harvard
• Princeton
• Amherst
• Brown
• Bates College
• Bowdoin College

These schools often state explicitly that all financial aid is need-based, and merit scholarships are not available.

Although many of these schools fill 100% of need based on the financial aid applications (FAFSA and CSS Profile).

Where to Find Merit Scholarships

If a school does not offer merit aid, it may not explicitly say so. However, language such as “all aid is need-based” is a sign that merit scholarships are not part of the financial aid package.

Careful investigation of a school’s website should reveal if merit scholarships are available.

Most merit scholarships come directly from colleges themselves, not from outside organizations.

Many private universities often have more generous merit programs than elite Ivy-type schools (which focus mostly on need-based aid).

Many public universities also offer strong merit packages to attract out-of-state students.

Families can use tools like the Net Price Calculator (NPC) on a college’s website to estimate whether a student might qualify for a merit scholarship based on GPA and test scores.

There simply is not a lot of transparency from schools about whether merit scholarships are offered, how much is offered, and how they are awarded.

Also, there is no single resource to help families find merit scholarships.

While comprehensive data that includes all U.S. colleges is hard to come by, based on available information we can say:

• A significant minority of colleges (especially elite private institutions) do not offer merit scholarships.
• Estimates suggest that roughly 15–20% of accredited colleges and universities do not offer any form of merit-based scholarships, though this varies by year and data source.

Using school-specific NPCs is a good starting point. Here are a few additional resources to help determine which colleges offer merit scholarships:

• BigFuture by the College Board- Offers a Scholarship search, including merit scholarships that you can search based on the criteria you select.
• The Princeton Review will tell you if a college offers “non-need-based scholarship or grant aid” is available if you click on “financial aid” for a specific school.
• Collegedata.com Search for a specific college from the “College Search” tab at the top of the page. When the school appears in results, click on the school name to see all information. You will see a lot of data on this page. If you click on the “Financials” tab in the school profile, you can scroll down to see the percentage of students who receive merit scholarships labeled “Merit-Based Gift”.

Planning Tips for Families

1. Build a smart college list. Include schools where your student’s academic profile places them in the top 25% of applicants — that’s where merit money is most likely.
2. Keep grades strong through senior year. Some awards are renewable only if a certain GPA is maintained.
3. Submit applications early. Some merit scholarships are automatic, while others require separate applications or early deadlines.
4. Ask directly. Admissions or financial aid offices can clarify whether merit awards are stackable with need-based aid or limited to tuition.
5. Complete the FAFSA. Especially in year one, as some colleges require it for the student to be considered for merit scholarships even though they are not based on financial need.

The Big Picture

Merit scholarships are not just “bonuses” — they’re part of a smart financial strategy for college.

For many families, it is possible to bring down the $70,000 cost of a private college closer to the $30,000 cost of a state school.

As a financial planner, I encourage families to think of merit aid as both an academic goal and a financial opportunity.

By understanding how colleges use merit awards — and positioning students strategically — families can turn achievement into affordability.

In short: merit scholarships reward effort, strategy, and fit. The earlier you start planning, the better your student’s chances of earning one — and the more manageable college costs can become.

-DC

Fall is a fantastic season and thoroughly enjoyed by many people. Especially here in New England we enjoy beautiful foliage, crisp cool air, bright sun, pumpkin spice, and football games.

It is also one of the most important times of the year for college planning.

Whether your student is just starting high school, or in the throes of senior year applications and decisions, autumn is the season when key milestones and deadlines come into focus.

To help you (and your student) stay organized and focused, here is a grade-specific checklist of what to prioritize this Fall.

Freshmen (9th Grade): Build the Foundation 

The first year of high school is all about building strong habits and exploring new opportunities

• Get involved: Clubs, sports, and community service are great ways to explore interests and build a future activities list.
• Focus on academics: A strong GPA begins now. Encourage good study routines and time management.
• Meet your high school counselor: A quick introduction helps your student start building a relationship that will matter later, which you can build on.
• Explore interests: Spark curiosity about future careers or colleges without pressure.

Sophomores (10th Grade): Explore & Prepare 

Sophomore year is about exploration and light preparation for what’s ahead

• Try the PSAT (practice): Some schools allow sophomores to take it—it’s low-stakes and helps them get comfortable with the format.
• Challenge yourself academically: If available, honors or AP courses show readiness for rigorous work.
• Start tracking and keep an activity log: Document leadership roles, service hours, or new achievements.
• Career exploration: Attend a career fair, shadow a professional, or use online career tools to discover potential pathways. Or talk to your relatives that have a job you find interesting.

Juniors (11th Grade): The Planning Year 

This is the most critical year for college preparation 

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT: It counts for National Merit scholarships and provides insight for SAT prep.
• Visit colleges: Many colleges have open-house events in the fall—if you can, go in person to the top schools on your list. This is the time to start forming impressions.
• Discuss and Decide on Testing: Decide whether the SAT, ACT, or test-optional route makes sense for your student.
• Research scholarships: Some awards are open to juniors—starting now gives you a head start and possibly an advantage.
• Keep grades strong: Junior year GPA is a major focus of colleges and is weighed very heavily.

Seniors (12th Grade): Application Season 

For seniors, fall is crunch time: deadlines and forms come quickly, so staying on track is essential

• Finalize your college list: Narrow down choices to a list that fits your academic and social interests, school size, geographical location and environment, and overall costs.
• Meet early deadlines: Early Action and Early Decision applications are often due in November.
• Complete financial aid forms: The FAFSA and CSS Profile open in October—apply early to maximize your eligibility.
• Fine-tune your essays: Have a trusted teacher, counselor, or mentor provide feedback before submission.
• Request recommendations: Teachers need plenty of time to write thoughtful letters.
• Stay organized: Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or app to track deadlines and requirements.

Final Thoughts

With each fall season, students have new opportunities to move one step closer to their college goals. By approaching the process by each high school year, students and families can stay on top of priorities without feeling overwhelmed.

Here is another reminder: Don’t forget to take time to enjoy this beautiful season as well! Get out among the colorful trees and grab a hot cider and apple cider donut along the way to the pumpkin patch.

-DC

We have seen lots of changes to the Federal student loan system over the last five years, specifically related to COVID.

The student loan payment system was already complicated before COVID, and during COVID we saw many options for assistance to borrowers such as suspended payments, interest freezes, and some temporary forgiveness plans.

With the passage of OBBBA, we are seeing some dramatic changes to student and parent borrowing limits, as well as increasing payment obligations – especially for graduate student and parent loans.

This may have a significant impact on borrowing strategies for families planning for college. Below we highlight key changes related to college financing resulting from OBBBA.

Borrowing Limits for Graduate Students

• The Graduate PLUS Loan is being eliminated 
• Previously there were no caps on this loan and many graduate students relied on this for financing graduate and medical programs
• The Direct Unsubsidized Loan program will be sole source of Federal borrowing with new lifetime limits
• Pre-existing cap of $20,500 per year for graduate students ($50,000 for professional degrees)
• New Aggregate Limit of $100,000 ($200,000 for professional students)
• New lifetime borrowing limit cap of $257,600 across all Federal loan programs (excluding Parent PLUS)

Borrowing Limits for Parents (PLUS) & Undergrads

• New $20,000 cap per year per child
• New $65,000 lifetime cap per student
• Federal undergraduate student loans remain unchanged at a loan cap of $27,000 for four years, or $31,000 for students who take longer to receive their degree.

New Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) 

• Will be the default for many borrowers
• Calculating monthly payments based on progressive formula tied to Adjusted Gross Income
• Subsidizes unpaid interest (eliminating negative amortization)
• Forgiveness after 30 years of repayment
• All Legacy IDR (Income Driven Repayment) Plans will be phased out by July 2028 

Summarizing the Changes 

There are some impactful and positive changes to the new loan system.

Having less complicated systems for repayment, limits on borrowing per year and lifetime limits will add some guardrails for those parents and students who previously were able to borrow significantly past their means.

For some, the previous situation led to unmanageable debt, and no way to keep up with payments and balances that exponentially increased due to compounding interest.

The new changes from the OBBBA may have a significant impact on both how people plan for financing college, and their overall personal financial planning goals. 

Many families who have not planned well, or who have had the unfortunate bad timing of negative financial circumstances that happen at the same time as college, were able to use easily obtainable loans such as the Parent PLUS loan.

This loan is much less strict for the approval process to the applicant, allowing many parents to borrow tens of thousands of dollars each year for four years for their student, even when it was a bad financial decision for their circumstances.

While these loan changes may create more difficulties for some parents when making a financing plan for their children for college, the overall effect may help them incur less financial burden, and possibly less negative affect on their retirement savings, which some parents sacrifice for their child’s education.

These changes may start to reshape how much students and parents are willing to borrow beyond what is financially sensible for their situation and being driven by the goal of a “Dream School”.

Placing limits on borrowing will hopefully help some families make better college decisions that are based on cost and college funding that makes sense for them.

Potentially we could see a significant reduction in the overall educational loan debt for families in America over time.

-DC

Beginning college planning can be an overwhelming thought for anyone. The thing about college planning is – the sooner you start, the better and calmer you will feel about the whole process.

So, I will say it again… it is ALWAYS a good time to start.

I have met with and counseled many families for their college planning needs, as a financial advisor, and while working at universities.

One common theme I have found in speaking with parents is that many are really overwhelmed and do not know where to start.

Also, many families delay taking the initial steps due to the paralyzing fear of paying the high price of a college education and finding the perfect school for their student.

Some basic strategies listed below are designed to help parents with students of any age as they begin (or continue) to plan and prepare for the college process.

Early Planning and Saving

• Open a 529 College Savings Plan account: This will give you tax advantages, as well as compounding growth over time- even with small contributions. And especially if you can start early.

Start Talking About College – Frame It as a Goal

• Begin conversations about education after high school and explore all options.
• Keep it positive, age-appropriate, and flexible. This approach will help keep you all informed on perspectives as time goes on.

Focus on Academics and Study Habits

• A strong academic foundation is important; it will support the student and allow for further growth during their college career.
• Encourage strong study skills, reading habits and time management early on.
• Good grades and test scores help improve chances of admission.

Get the Student Involved

• Teach the basics of a budget, and the value of saving.
• Encourage part-time work or a summer job to contribute to expenses or savings.

Have Students Get Involved in Interests

• Hobbies, extracurricular activities, volunteering and sometimes sports will help a student develop and find areas of interest.
• This will help build character and leadership skills and prepare for future college applications.
• This also helps a student’s potential for acceptance and merit scholarships. Many schools take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and involvement and leadership roles are highly valued.

Understand Total College Costs

• Begin looking at a variety of public and private schools online and review total Cost of Attendance. It may be shocking when you start out, but it is necessary to be informed before you begin.
• As your student gets older, start to use Net Price Calculators on school websites for estimates of financial aid and possibly merit scholarships.
• Also, when you approach the planning stages in high school, learn how the FAFSA and CSS Profile work.
• FAFSA
• CSS Profile
• Understand the different types of aid, grants, scholarships, loans, work study, etc.

Understand your financial situation and what you can afford

• Be realistic about your budget, what you can contribute and avoid unnecessary debt.
• Start family discussions on expectations early. Be clear on what you are willing and able to contribute to college for your student. This avoids big disappointments late in the decision-making process.
• Apply for private scholarships early and often.
• Here are a few:
• Fastweb
• RISLA
• Scholarship America

College Selection and Prep

• Focus on fit, not prestige.
• Consider multiple types of schools, including in-state schools which offer lower tuition.
• As you get further into the process and start your list, be sure to focus on academic programs, size, campus location and culture, and student activities and support resources.

Prepare Your Student with Good Life Skills

• Help your student with organization for college application season but let them own the process.
• Help by being supportive and help them explore options rather than choosing for them.
• Foster independence by teaching life skills- the basics include laundry, budgeting, and problem-solving.
• Discuss self-care and mental health and how to stay healthy while at college.

While there is much more detail to the college process, if you are beginning to think about college for your student, or you are just starting to get into the steps in the process, hopefully you find some good takeaways here.

Remember this really is a marathon, not a sprint, so try to stay calm and focused but remember to enjoy this time and have some fun as well. It will all go by so much faster than you imagined!

This article, by College Financial Planner Donna Cournoyer, discusses the consequences of the federal funding cuts for US college undergraduate and graduate students.

Graduate Student Challenges

Reduction of Programs, Reduced Admissions

Some of the most severe funding cuts so far have been in the area if graduate research.

The NIH (National Institute of Health) funding is relied upon heavily by top research universities throughout the country for their advanced programs.

This research impacts both the US and global advances in medicine, science, technology, and engineering.

Regarding the consequences of reduced research funding, take Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example.

MIT announced in May that graduate enrollment will be reduced by 8% (about 100 students) due to federal funding cuts.

Also, the House of Representatives passed a bill increasing the excise tax on college endowments from the current 1.4% to a potential of 21% for the highest endowments. This bill is now in the Senate for approval.

See President of MIT Sally Kornbluth’s letter from the Office of the President on May 20, 2025 warning of the consequences of these challenges being faced across America.

Loss of Assistantships and Research Funding

With agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) facing budget cuts, numerous research projects have been scaled back or canceled altogether.

Many graduate students rely on federal grants for their stipends as well. Graduate students are losing opportunities and needing to shift their education paths.

This also limits some of our best and brightest students from the ability to contribute to advancements in science, engineering, and medicine.

Effects on the “Innovation Edge”

These cuts in federal research funding are pushing some students out of research altogether. Some students are considering international opportunities in countries with a more stable environment for research.

There are also some experts who have expressed a long-term fear of “brain drain,” with the potential for the US to lose its standing as a global leader in innovation and scientific excellence.

It is possible that the changes in funding may have the long term effect of dulling the edge the US has as a global leader in innovation.

Undergraduate Student Challenges

Potential Cuts to Federal Student Aid

The federal Pell Grant Program projects a $2.7 Billion shortfall for the 2025 fiscal year. This could mean cuts to the program in 2026. The federal Work Study program could also be facing cuts.

This is especially hard on students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds. With federal cuts, many schools will not be able to increase their grants to make up the loss of federal aid for these students.

This may mean some of these students will not be able to attend college at all.

Budget Cuts, Declining Campus Services, Hiring Freezes & Layoffs

The federal funding cuts are causing schools to face tough decisions on budget cuts, layoffs and hiring freezes. This impacts a broad range of services and support available to students.

Public universities are facing budget cuts that are resulting in larger class sizes, fewer course offerings and halted facilities improvements. This can hinder academic success for students.

Increased Costs & Delayed Graduation

Some students may not be able to afford full-time enrollment, and may have to extend their studies, incurring more debt and delaying graduation and employment.

Federal Policies on International Students

Proposed bans on certain categories of foreign students and visa restrictions are hindering admissions for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Many universities rely on international students for cultural diversity and for funding, as most international students receive no aid and pay tuition in full.

Without these full-paying students, endowments and budgets will be more stressed.

The Road Ahead for Institutions

Without policy reversals and sustained federal investment, institutions are responding in a variety of ways.

Universities are looking at reallocating endowment funds, which is not always easily done, as these funds are closely linked to budgets and donors are often very specific on the use of funds given.

Some institutions are seeking additional private funding and philanthropic partnerships.

And there are several universities seeking policy reversals.

Conclusion

Federal funding cuts in 2025 mark a pivotal moment in American higher education.

Without restoration of federal funding, both undergraduates and graduate students are at risk of losing affordable, high-quality education and research opportunities that benefit their educational goals and their future.

Reduced federal funding also bodes ill for the future of US innovation across a variety of fields and may well have negative effects for the future path of US economic growth.

Right now, our policymakers, educators, and the public are faced with confronting the long-term risks of underfunding the very systems that cultivate the nation’s intellectual and professional capital.

-DC

The following article from our colleague and college financial advisor Donna Cournoyer is addressed to graduating high school seniors.

Your upcoming graduation from high school is a big deal- a REALLY big deal. Congratulations!

Now is the time when one chapter closes as you prepare for another. While it’s quite exhilarating, it can be a bit overwhelming, too. Don’t worry – you are not alone. Your future college classmates are also preparing for the transition this coming fall.

Here’s how you can get ready for college, with a few helpful tips from students who’ve been where you are:

Embrace Your Independence

College is a big step toward becoming your own person. You’ll be managing your own time, choices, and responsibilities – everything from planning your meals, your schedules, and of course your classes.

“Learning to do laundry before I moved in saved me from a lot of headaches—and colorful T-shirts,” says Emma, a sophomore at the University of Vermont. “College felt less overwhelming once I stopped waiting for someone to tell me what to do and started figuring things out for myself.”

Start with something practical this summer, like creating a budget, and managing any money you make by working a part-time job. Save what you can for spending money this fall.

Keep Your Study Habits Sharp

In college, it is likely that your classes will be moving faster and be more in-depth than high school. It is helpful to find what study methods help you most, such as group sessions, flash cards, or digital tools.

“In college, no one checks if you’ve done the reading. You’re expected to show up ready to talk about it,” says Jordan, a first-year student at a liberal arts college. “Learning how to study smarter—not longer—was a game changer.”

Start Making Connections

Start now. Don’t wait for move-in day to meet people. This helps take some of the fear of the unknown out of the equation, if you make a few new friends before you meet in fall.

Join the social media groups your school has set up for incoming freshmen. Message your roommate, attend the virtual meetings to meet some of your classmates.

“A girl I met on the college Discord server ended up being one of my best friends. We bonded over our love for Taylor Swift before classes even started,” says Aisha, a freshman at a state university.

Get Practical

From having health insurance cards to dorm shopping, there are a lot of logistics to tackle before move-in day. Make a list (or more), and don’t be afraid to ask older students what they wish they had packed- or left at home!

“I brought too many clothes and not enough extension cords,” laughs Max, a junior.

Also, know how to access your student portal and make sure your paperwork, such as immunization records, financial aid, and payment plans are squared away.

It helps to see some familiar faces when you step on campus.

Prioritize Your Well-Being

College life can be amazing, but also stressful. Make your mental health a priority. Get familiar with campus resources like counseling centers, academic support centers, student activities centers. Even wellness apps can help.

“I didn’t expect to feel homesick, but I did,” shares Leah, a second-year student. “Talking to someone—even a campus peer counselor—helped a lot.”

Remember, you are growing, you don’t need to have everything figured out! That is what college is for.

Final Thoughts

Summer this year is more than a break: it is really a launching pad. Take time to rest, plan, and dream. You are heading into one of the most impactful periods of your life. Full of life-changing experiences, discoveries and connections that will last your lifetime.

You, the Class of 2025, have already made it through a lot! Now is your time. Go out, learn, connect and experience the world around you.

“College will help you realize who YOU are. Your life will begin to take shape, and the meaning of your life will start to emerge.” -Donna

-DC

The following article was contributed by our colleague and college financial advisor Donna Cournoyer 

May 1, commonly known as National College Decision Day, marks the deadline for high school seniors across the U.S. to commit to the college they plan to attend in the fall. With multiple acceptance letters in hand, this decision can feel both exciting and overwhelming.

Here are some key considerations to help students and families make a confident choice.

1. Revisit Your Priorities
Start by reflecting on what matters most to you. Academic programs, campus culture, location, extracurricular opportunities, class sizes, and internship pipelines can all make a big impact on your college experience. While prestige and high rankings are nice, make sure the school aligns with your goals and values.

2. Compare Financial Aid Offers and Merit Scholarships Awarded
Cost is a major factor for many students. Lay out all the financial aid packages you’ve received, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study options. Calculate the net cost (not just the tuition sticker price) and consider long-term debt implications.

Merit scholarships (non-financial need funds) are especially important if you do not qualify for financial aid. If you are considering a school that does not offer merit scholarships, be sure to know the full price you will be responsible for.

Be sure to have a four-year financing plan in place, not just a way to “make it through paying for year one”.

3. Attend Accepted Student Events
Many colleges offer virtual or in-person events for admitted students during April. These are great opportunities to ask questions, meet future classmates, and get a real feel for the campus environment.
Have your questions ready and seek out those who can help to give you important information to help you make this decision.

4. Talk to Current Students and Alumni
Hearing honest perspectives from current students or recent graduates can offer insights you won’t find with college brochures and marketing materials. Those leading the tours are going to “sell” you on choosing their school, usually no matter the cost.

Be sure to ask about academic rigor, social life, career support, and anything else important to you.

5. Trust Your Gut
At the end of the day, this is your decision. You might not have all the answers, and that’s okay. Consider where you felt the most comfortable, excited, or inspired. Your instinct can be a powerful guide.

Final Tip: Don’t Miss the Deadline

Once you’ve made your choice, be sure to submit your enrollment deposit by May 1 to secure your spot. Also, notify the schools you’re not attending so they can offer spots to wait-listed students.

Choosing a college is a milestone—and while it’s a big decision, it’s just the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Take a deep breath, weigh your options, and take the next step with confidence. By this time, you have put in the hard work both in high school and in your college search.

Finally, celebrate your decision. This is a major milestone! Enjoy the remainder of senior year and rest up this summer (maybe work to earn a few extra dollars) so that you are ready for move-in day this fall.

Additional Pointers for Parents

Right now, you are not alone. Many families across the country are working together to help their high school seniors make one of the most important decisions of their academic journey: choosing which college to attend. As a parent, your guidance, support, and perspective can play a vital role.

Here’s how you can help your student make a thoughtful, confident choice:

• Now is the time to remind your student about their priority list and to help them focus on where they will thrive. While attending a school of prestige has certain attractions, the reality is that most of the time, other schools on their list will offer everything your student needs to have a great career and make connections that will last a lifetime.
• Hopefully you have already had a conversation about finances. However, now is a good time to review with your student their financial responsibilities, including costs, loans, etc. It’s also important to discuss what you are willing to finance as their parent. Be sure it is a realistic plan and makes sense for all of you. If it is not a smart decision financially, it may be wise to consider another choice.
• Offer support, give guidance and perspective, but give your student space to use their own judgement. Your reassurance can go a long way to helping them feel confident and excited about the way forward.

Best of luck to students and parents in making the big decision!