Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

YCBK 563: Avoiding These College Financial Mistakes Could Save You Over 10,000

Aug 21, 2025
This week, Peg Keogh, Chief Academic Officer at College Aid Pro, and Dr. Ramon Blakley, Assistant Vice Provost of Enrollment at UT-Austin, explore crucial topics in college admissions. They discuss strategies to avoid costly financial mistakes when applying for aid, especially concerning the CSS Profile. Peg highlights common pitfalls families face, while Ramon elaborates on navigating internal transfers and why UT Austin releases decisions in waves. They also clarify what it means to be a 'stealth applicant' and share tips on engaging with admissions.
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ADVICE

Start Financial Planning In Sophomore Year

  • Start financial-aid planning early, ideally in your student's sophomore year, because forms report on that year's finances.
  • Avoid financial moves (like IRA withdrawals) in reporting years that can harm aid eligibility.
ADVICE

Avoid Relying On Family Financial Rumors

  • Don't take generic advice from friends or relatives about financial aid without comparing tax situations and details.
  • File required financial aid forms because skipping them can be a costly mistake for many families.
INSIGHT

Rankings Don’t Equal Fit

  • Rankings often reflect peer reputation metrics that may not match what families care about, like class size or affordability.
  • Use rankings as one input but prioritize fit and cost when building a college list.
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