WOW – 2025 – I hope you are waking up every day with excitement in your step and joy in your voice as you take on the challenges and opportunities of the new year.
For many college-bound high school seniors and their families, the waiting game has ended with the arrival of acceptance and scholarship offers. More are still on their way. Fear not if you’re not heading to college—many exciting paths await. Tune in next month to learn where.
Work to Do Before September
The hard work of applying now turns to investigating and narrowing choices to reveal the final selection for September 2025. Here are a few things to help get to YES to my college:
- Finalize your financing plan, combining what has already been awarded with savings, monthly disposable income, FAFSA-determined financial aid, and external scholarships.
- Visit campuses and schedule meetings (administration, faculty, academic advisers, and coaches (for talent)) to confirm that educational, social, and personal needs & expectations align with the college’s offerings. Be a consumer!
- Keep hunting for scholarships, a meaningful way to close the gap.
- Look ahead to the spring to organize legal and medical documents to protect your 18-year-old student and the family.
What Does My Crystal Ball Say for 2025
Fearing FAFSA—Over 40% of all eligible high school students and families* have not filed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Why? Entering the trades, military, or workforce after high school is OK. The curious mind says no, that’s not the reason. Many students and families fear sharing personal information on an application that will go into a national database. Such fears will impact low-income, first-generation, and unsuspecting victims of poor information, who are the most financially needy. Support completing and filing the FAFSA in your community and workplace. If you need any resources, call me! *National Center for Educational Statistics
Free Tuition—More colleges will offer free tuition tied to family income. Several states, including Massachusetts, and up to fifteen colleges nationwide have announced plans to provide free or discounted tuition for accepted students who meet income thresholds. Read the fine print to understand eligibility requirements, as many vary based on income levels, tuition and fees only, and residency.
The decline in HS Graduation – We are fast approaching the point when a steady decline in high school graduates will happen nationwide. Regions of the country, including the Northeast, will suffer the greatest losses, resulting in closures and mergers of colleges and universities. It will also open up opportunities. Something we will explore next month. *National Center for Educational Statistics
Educational Cost—The business logic of supply and demand will continue to be evident at many private and flagship public institutions, which exceed their application and enrollment levels while successfully marketing their brands. In 2025, these colleges will hit $100K (private) and $35K (public) for total educational costs. Knowing their attractions, many of these will be even more conservative in distributing and awarding institutional aid. The wise college-bound consumer will evaluate their “buying strategy” with a new eye on college enrollment.
Life After HS—2026—When should I start planning? Yesterday. Whether we are talking about enrolling, enlisting, or seeking employment after high school, the process takes time, research, and a strategic plan. How to pay, where to go, and get in with a keen lens specific to the needs and capabilities of students and families. The outcome is finding the right path for the right reason at the right investment.
Business Leaders
What is your role in 2025? If you have employees, clients, or customers experiencing stress, confusion, or a sense of paralysis about managing their own educational goals or decisions for their students, consider introducing resources to your EAP or consumer benefits. Simple things like programs on financial literacy, saving for college, managing education debt, and other awareness programs can significantly improve attitude, loyalty, and revenue. Call me to learn how to turn stress into gratitude!!
2025
We are back to our routines, working, serving as drivers, attending sporting and dance events, and stressing to make a buck. Don’t forget the importance of community, kindness, and sharing talent. And please, keep asking WHY.
CALMING THE WATERS—Do you feel paralyzed or anxious about managing life after high college planning? As a parent of four and having spent a career working with families and college and university administrators, I understand the complexity of planning for life after high school. If you need clarity and insights into your questions, tools to manage the process, or individual one-to-one assistance, reach out. Feel free to reach me by text or telephone at 617-240-7350 or email at tom@getcollegegoing.com.