Families should be aware of upcoming changes on the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) for this year and next. Males no longer have to register with the Selective Service System to be eligible for federal financial aid. In addition, having a drug conviction will no longer affect a student’s ability to seek financial aid.
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Also, the pandemic or weather-related disasters might have negatively impacted many families in the last two years. Since this year’s FAFSA utilizes parents’ tax returns from 2020 it is important that families make note of any changed circumstances to qualify for the best financial aid package. If they feel there is more information than what they can report on the FAFSA itself, they can contact the financial aid departments of the colleges their student is applying to.
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A number of colleges have started requiring students  to be vaccinated against covid-19  in order to  enroll in the fall.  Currently these include:

• American University, in Washington, D.C.
• Assumption University, in Massachusetts
• Boston University, in Massachusetts
• Bowdoin College, in Maine
• Brown University, in Rhode Island
• Cornell University, in New York
• Dartmouth College, in New Hampshire
• Duke University, in North Carolina
• Fairleigh Dickinson University, in New Jersey
• Fordham University, in New York
• Fort Lewis College, in Colorado
• Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C.
• Grinnell College, in Iowa
• Harvey Mudd College, California
• Ithaca College, in New York
• Johns Hopkins University, in Maryland
• Lasell University, in Massachusetts
• Manhattanville College, in New York
• Northeastern University, in Massachusetts
• Nova Southeastern University, in Florida
• Oakland University, in Michigan
• Paul Quinn College, in Texas
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in New York
• Roger Williams University, in Rhode Island
• Rutgers University, in New Jersey
• St. Edwards University, in Texas
• Saint Mary’s College, in Indiana
• Seattle University, in Washington
• Syracuse University, in New York
• University of Notre Dame, in Indiana
• Vassar College, in New York
• Wesleyan University, in Connecticut

This list will very likely continue to change, so check often to see the latest colleges. The Chronicle of Higher Education is  a good site to check for  the most up-to-date information. 

 In today’s economic climate, and especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the economy as a whole and education in particular, parents are understandably concerned about the value of a college degree and the viability of certain institutions. When creating a college list most people understand the value of assessing the likelihood of being accepted, the depth and breadth and the course offerings, the culture of the campus, and the cost (or return on investment). However, now more than ever, it is also imperative to evaluate the financial health of the institution. No one wants to get into a school only to have that school close its doors, merge with another institution (losing its unique identity), or eliminate your major. 

Of course, there are no 100% guarantees, but there are ways to research the relative financial health of various colleges and universities and to evaluate their risk of failing. Some risk factors to be aware of are a decrease in freshmen enrollment and retention over time, a higher percentage of non-need based (aka merit aid) vs. need-based aid offered with an increase in the rate of merit scholarships awarded, a high percentage of international students, and a relatively small endowment. Another red flag is a downward trend of net tuition, especially if tuition revenue makes up the largest portion of the institution’s revenue stream. And, if the institution is borrowing from their endowment, this may be an indication of the school’s financial stress. In general schools with higher endowments, lower admit rates (and therefore larger waitlists), and less reliance on international students (who almost always pay full tuition) are considered less vulnerable to economic disruptions. 

A good independent educational consultant will be able to help research and explain not only the risks and benefits of the academic and social environment of an institution but also those risks and benefits of its financial well-being.


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See how some colleges are trying to  provide more options for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is  some news   from  The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Big Ten Colleges Start Course-Sharing Initiative
A new course-sharing initiative from the Big Ten Academic Alliance is aimed at offering students more educational opportunities during the pandemic. Beginning this fall, undergraduates at any institution in the Big Ten Academic Alliance   will be able to take an online course  from any other institution in the alliance, at no charge.
The arrangement will waive tuition and fees for one course each semester. Participating institutions include Indiana University at Bloomington, the University of Maryland at College Park, Michigan State University, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Rutgers University at New Brunswick. Students can  view the courses on offer  from each university and register for the class of their choice.