Understanding the financial aid system is one thing, but actually filing correctly is another. That's where families either save tens of thousands of dollars or end up accidentally leaving money on the table.

In this episode, you'll get the complete roadmap for filing financial aid forms for the 2025-26 school year. We cover:

✔️ FAFSA vs CSS Profile—which forms you need (and how to know)
✔️ What changed with the new FAFSA (and what it means for middle-class families)
✔️ Critical deadlines that can cost you thousands if you miss them
✔️ Every document you'll need—so you can start gathering them now
✔️ The 4 biggest mistakes families make (including the $60,000 529 error that increased one family's aid index by $7,200)
✔️ What happens after you submit—and how to respond to verification requests

PLUS: This week's Scholarship School Spotlight features the University of South Carolina, where strong stats can earn your student over $100,000 in automatic merit scholarships.

Whether your student is a high school senior filing this year or a freshman/sophomore planning ahead, this episode gives you everything you need to file correctly—and avoid expensive mistakes.

Download the free Financial Aid Checklist: https://getcollegefunded.com/finaidchecklist

Big futures, small bills. Let's make it happen.