1.       Students should apply for financial aid to be eligible for a low interest federal loan.

2.       Financial Aid paying for college is like a discount on a valued investment.

3.       Financial Aid is not charity. It is an entitlement  to help pay for college.

4.       Merit based scholarships are based on students accomplishments not wealth

5.       A college that has a higher cost of attendance may be less expensive when more financial aid is available.

6.       The issue is not completing financial aid forms but ensuring the accuracy that  impacts financial need.

7.       The FAFSA can be completed before the income tax forms are filed based on projected income and adjusted later. For example, the 2008-2009 FAFSA is based on 2007 income.

8.       Financial aid awards can be appealed based on documented back up of financial and personal circumstances.

9.       Families should get a financial aid head start in their freshman year to prepare for it through their high school.

10.    All families need a roadmap to get to their financial aid destination