Don’t Panic! It’s Just an Email

After your student applies to college, emails are sent from admissions and financial aid. Many seem vague, and result in causing parents confusion and even panic.

One thing that really makes parents upset is that admissions tells you that your student should apply for aid. The problem is that if you have already filed for aid, this might imply that they haven’t already. The email SHOULD include, “If you haven’t already applied for aid… or, If you have already applied for aid ignore this email.”

This is where parents call us, gravely concerned. We have to remind them that the forms were already filed and they received confirmations from the College Board and/or FAFSA.

Other emails will tell you– even before you have decided to enroll– that to secure your student’s aid they need to apply for student loans. Colleges use this strategy as a form of marketing disguised as a service. The purpose is to push you toward enrolling in their institution. What those emails don’t tell you, is that student loans can be applied for at any time. There is no shortage of loans!

The exception to the rule is the college tells you they never received the CSS Profile. This email is legitimate. Sometimes it’s a mistake on their part, but the most common reason is that the student incorrectly entered their social security number on their admission application.