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Questions From Parents

Take a look at some common questions we get from parents.

Q: My child struggles with standardized tests. Will this hurt their chances of getting into college?
A:

Standardized tests like the ACT1 or SAT2 test are just one part of the college admissions process. Schools also consider things like grades, class rank, and extracurricular activities. In fact, some schools do not even require ACT or SAT scores, especially for programs that take 2 years or less.

If the school your child is interested in does require test scores, they should consider taking the ACT test over the SAT test. Students who struggle with standardized tests often do better on the ACT test than on the SAT test because of the way the tests are designed.

Finally, your child should speak with their school counselor about their struggles with these tests. With the counselor's help, your child may be able to improve their study habits and learn other tips to make the test-taking process a little less stressful.

Q: Why do I need to provide my tax information for my child to get student aid?
A:

One of the basic principles of student aid in the United States is that families are expected to pay for college costs to the best of their ability. Even if you are unwilling or unable to contribute to your child's education, colleges need your financial information to assess the family's finances and award need-based dollars.

So if your child is still a dependent, you must provide your financial information on the FAFSA® and other student aid forms or your child will not be eligible for aid.

1ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc.

2SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.