The Huffington Post – Abigail Seldin
“The holiday season is upon us. Families are making resolutions, laying out plans for 2015 and spending some much needed quality time away from work or school together. Beyond merrymaking, this lull before the New Year is the perfect time for families to bank some smart savings in the college search process. Open season for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing starts on January 1st.The US Department of Education provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year, but some programs make awards on a first-come first-serve basis. Financial planning for college is often a family activity, so college-bound students and their parents should use their time together to get a jumpstart on the process.”(more)