10 Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement

While helping a student whose first choice is the University of Washington, I was perusing the admissions page on their website.

U of W’s admissions page also features this video with 10 Tips for writing the Personal Statement. They are great tips for any college admissions essay. Check it out!

Did you know that you can learn a lot about what each college is looking for by reading their Mission Statement and Goals?

From the University of Washington Admissions Page (and YouTube)

Time to Apply for FAFSA!

Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash

Are you a senior applying to college? Or the parent of a senior?

Regardless of your family's economic status, I highly recommend completing the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
FAFSA applications open on October 1 every year.

What Is FAFSA?

FAFSA is how you apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Your college uses your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid. Your new university will be informed of your FAFSA awards, and the amount is automatically deducted from your tuition costs.

Nearly everyone who applies receives aid of some sort, regardless of their credit history.

It’s the gateway to more than $150 billion in college grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans, as well as certain state-based aid.

Photo by Didier Weemaels on Unsplash

Filling out the FAFSA® form can be a straightforward and easy process. Tips are here!

Apply for FAFSA as early as possible. Why?

1. Financial aid can run out.

Schools and states have limited amounts of student aid available, and some of it is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. You’re more likely to qualify for grants.

You’re more likely to qualify for federal, state, and college-offered grants. A few financial experts have reported that students who fill out the FAFSA between October and December get twice as many grants, on average, as compared with students who file the FAFSA later.

3. You can focus on other important tasks.

Get it off your to-do list so you can focus on other parts of your college applications, applying for scholarships, and enjoying your senior year!

4. Comparing colleges will be easier.

If you complete the FAFSA earlier in the year, colleges will be able to use that information to come up with your financial aid award letter. You can quickly compare what each school’s cost will be after applying grants and scholarship awards.

5. You can get a head start on your scholarship search.

Some scholarships offered by companies or organizations will request your FAFSA information, and they often have early deadlines. Applying for scholarships will reduce how much you’ll need to take out in student loans, if you plan to.

6. You’ll have more time to pursue other forms of financial aid.

Once you start receiving financial aid award letters, you can come up with a comprehensive plan to pay for college. (Thank you to College Avenue for this comprehensive list!)

And remember to apply for FAFSA at the beginning of each college year!

Mark your calendar for October 1 for the next four years.

And remember: After you apply to FAFSA, the College Essay Guru can help you write essays for scholarship applications! I’d love to help.