May 1 Deadline Approaches for Most College Enrollment Decisions
Students who have received admission offers from colleges generally have until May 1 to submit their enrollment deposit and commit to one school. This is also the date by which most colleges expect students to withdraw from other waitlists or pending applications, so families should use the next few weeks to compare financial aid award letters carefully before deciding. Committing early without comparing all offers can leave money on the table.
Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
How to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter That Actually Works
If a financial aid award falls short of what your family expected or needs, most colleges will consider a formal appeal, especially if your financial circumstances have changed or a competing school has offered significantly more. The strongest appeals are specific, polite, and supported by documentation such as a competing offer letter or evidence of a job loss or medical expense. Families should contact the financial aid office directly and ask what their appeals process looks like before submitting anything.
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Test-Optional Policies Continue at Many Schools Through 2026 Cycle
A large number of four-year colleges, including many highly selective institutions, are maintaining test-optional or test-free policies for students applying in the 2025-2026 cycle. For students who have strong scores, submitting them can still strengthen an application, but families should check each individual school’s current policy since some schools have reversed course and reinstated testing requirements. The Common App school search tool is a reliable starting point for confirming each college’s current stance.
Source: Common App
On-Campus Housing Deposit Deadlines Often Separate From Enrollment Deadlines
Many students are surprised to learn that securing on-campus housing requires a separate deposit and application, often due in early May or even sooner. At schools where housing is competitive, waiting until after you submit your enrollment deposit can mean missing out on on-campus options entirely, so families should check housing portal deadlines the moment an acceptance letter arrives. Some schools assign housing by lottery date, which makes early action especially important.
Source: College housing offices – check your specific school’s housing portal
FAFSA Simplification Has Changed How Student Aid Index Is Calculated
The FAFSA Simplification Act, which took full effect starting with the 2024-2025 aid year, replaced the old Expected Family Contribution formula with a new Student Aid Index calculation that uses fewer data points and in some cases produces different award amounts than families anticipated. Families filling out the FAFSA for the first time this cycle should know that the number of children in college at the same time no longer reduces the Student Aid Index the way it used to, which can result in higher out-of-pocket costs for families with multiple college students. If the resulting aid package seems off, an appeal or professional judgment request through the financial aid office is the right next step.
Source: Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov)
Have questions about how any of this affects your student’s college journey? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Sadia — no commitment, just a conversation.
