Amvision College Planning

College Financial Aid

The cost of attending college in the United States has risen sharply over the past several decades. Without financial aid, higher education has become financially unattainable for the vast majority of American families. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), more than 85% of full-time undergraduate students at four-year institutions receive some form of financial aid, underscoring its critical role in college access.

Research from the U.S. Department of Education consistently shows that students who receive meaningful financial aid are significantly more likely to enroll in college, remain enrolled, and ultimately graduate. Financial aid broadens a student’s range of options, enabling them to consider institutions that might otherwise appear out of reach. The Education Trust reports that low-income students who receive adequate financial support are three times more likely to graduate than those who do not receive aid.

At most colleges and universities, financial aid applications are the gateway to both need-based and merit-based assistance. Failing to apply can mean forfeiting valuable funding opportunities. By submitting required applications, most commonly the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and, at some institutions, the CSS Profile, students gain access to:

• Federal grants (such as Pell Grants and FSEOG)
   
• State-based financial aid programs
   
• Federal work-study opportunities
   
• Low-interest federal student loans (including Direct Subsidized Loans)
   
• Institutional grants and scholarships awarded directly by colleges
   

However, financial aid is not merely about completing forms. Effective college funding often requires strategic planning years in advance. Key factors such as:

• Family income and asset structure
   
• Timing and reporting of tax filings
   
• Multiple children enrolled in college simultaneously
   
• Home equity and business ownership
   

all directly influence the Student Aid Index (SAI) used to determine eligibility.

Even high-income and high-net-worth families can benefit from working with certified college funding specialists. Through careful income positioning, strategic asset allocation, and proactive planning, families can reduce unnecessary financial exposure and, in many cases, save tens of thousands of dollars over the course of a college education.