FAFSA application available

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application is now available.  The FAFSA is the federal application for financial aid, but it is also used to apply for aid from other sources, such as your state or school.

FAFSA deadline for federal aid is midnight cental daylight time June 30, 2009.  State and school deadlines differ and usually are much earlier. Check with your local state for its deadline. March 2, 2009 is the deadline for California.

Before, filling out FAFSA application, you will need PIN.  “Your PIN can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your Federal Student Aid records online. If you receive a PIN, you agree not to share it with anyone. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so you should never give your PIN to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.” Student and parent each needs to create a PIN.  You can get started creating a PIN at the PIN website.

Good luck to you, all.

College Ranking and Selection

Well, Harvard is on top of the list.  Then come Princeton, Yale and so on.   Does it really matter how US News people rank the colleges in the US?  They do give us some objective data, the usual scores, acceptance rates and so on.  Rankings based on numbers alone can be misleading, in selecting the right college for your children, or yourself.  Studying at a top ranked schools can be challenging and rewarding.  Should you try to get into one the top ranked schools?

“Dropping the H-Bomb” is what the Harvard students call it when they let people know that they attend Harvard, and it sounds so cool.  Tons of people would do anything to be able to say it.  Am I trying to put my children into Harvard or Princeton?  Not really.  I want my children to attend a competitive school where they will get good education and have to work for it.  I want them to learn that hard work in school pays off with good grades and apply that later when they join the work force.  I want them to have the opportunities to really test their abilities and still do well. 

“A stretched mind never goes back to its original size.”  As my older son studies in high school, I want him to be prepared to do well in any college he goes.  I try to teach him how to study, how to manage his time, how to prepare for tests and etc.  I want him to make the best of his opportunities and his talents.  College should be the time to have fun, meet different people and also prepare for the future.  I want him to be ready for the right college that he chooses.  Where will he end up?  Harvard? Yale? UCLA? or???  I will let you know in about 3 years; so, keep reading!

Please, feel free to leave your comment.