If you or your child plans to borrow federal student loans for college in the future, things are about to change in a big way. The new law, often referred to as the Big Beautiful Bill, introduces some of the most significant changes to student loans in decades.

These new rules mostly apply to loans starting on or after July 1, 2026, so current students may still have time under the old system. But families with younger students need to prepare now.

Educational tax credits are programs from the IRS that can reduce the amount of money you owe in federal income taxes if you’re paying for college. These credits help families lower their tax bill and potentially receive a refund simply by sending their child to college and paying for expenses such as tuition, qualified books, and fees.

When it comes to protecting your money on the CSS Profile to get the most financial aid from colleges, what we discussed so far applies only to the FAFSA. The CSS Profile is a separate form used by many private colleges to award their own (institutional) aid, and it treats assets and income much more strictly. Here are the key differences you’ll see on the CSS Profile.

When it's time to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), many parents worry that having money saved may hurt their child’s chances of receiving financial aid for college. The truth is, the FAFSA does look at your income and certain assets (like bank accounts and investments), but there are smart ways to legally protect or "shelter" some of those assets, so they don’t count against you.

To qualify for the asset reporting exemption, applicants must meet certain conditions. If these conditions are met, the FAFSA form may automatically allow you to skip the asset questions, and you won't need to report them. Skipping reportable assets could increase your need-based aid by thousands of dollars.

This podcast is Part 2 of " What Colleges Do Not Always Tell You But You Really Need to Know." We will cover nine other areas where colleges can be deceptive, either intentionally or through misleading omissions.

Colleges, especially those under pressure to meet enrollment or revenue goals, may not always be fully transparent about key aspects of the student experience and the real costs of attendance. This podcast will cover several areas where colleges can be deceptive, either intentionally or through misleading omissions.

Business assets can be important on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), but how much they affect financial aid eligibility depends on a few key factors.

Business assets might include real estate owned by the business, inventory, equipment, vehicles, and other property. You do not count the value of personal assets, like the family home (unless it's owned by the business). Large business assets can significantly increase your Student Aid Index (SAI), potentially reducing your financial aid.