Applying to college is a daunting task, but securing financial aid can be an added level of stress for students and families. Today's podcast discusses the financial aspects of college or trade school, focusing on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

The guests on this episode are Patty DaSilva, a high school counseling consultant, and Gillian Moody, the counseling department chair at Harrison High School. They highlight the rising costs of education and the challenges students might face in covering these expenses.

There are many financial aid packages offered by post-secondary institutions, which could include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. There are also Georgia-specific sources of help, for instance, the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. In addition, there are sources of federal money and many private scholarships that may provide financial aid based on specific criteria.

The FAFSA is an application, not a source of money itself. The history of FAFSA is mentioned, along with recent changes to make it more user-friendly. All students can qualify, not just high-achieving ones, but the guests strongly recommend submitting the FAFSA early to avoid potential complications.

Click here to learn much more about FAFSA and financial aid for post-secondary education.