The FAFSA, Free Application for Student Aid is the government form the government and colleges use to determine financial aid. The majority of forms are filled out incorrectly costing thousands of dollars and time. Here are some tips to help you fill out the form correctly. Don’t wait. Fill out the form in the beginning of January and then update …

The break over the holidays is the perfect time for you to job shadow in some careers that interest you. Simply call an organization and ask for the person that does the career that you’re interested in pursuing. Once you have the person on the phone, simply ask if you can shadow them for a day because you are interested …

When college admissions counselors are reviewing applicants, one of the considerations is volunteer and service. We recommend you pick one or two areas that you are passionate about and commit your time and energy, admissions counselors notice. If you love animals, find a local shelter. If you’re interested in health care, volunteer for a local hospital. Find a club in …

November is National Scholarship Month. Scholarships are a great way to pay for some or all of your college education. November is a great time for prospective and current students to start applying for scholarships. There is a comprehensive list of scholarships on our website at www.lighthousecollegeplanning.com. College scholarships are awarded to students of all ages and levels of education. …

Here’s an article from the Chicago Sun Times we thought you’d enjoy. It features Lighthouse College Planning’s President, John Groleau. http://specialsections.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/8174257-555/finance-experts-offer-innovative-ways-to-save-for-college.html There’s a minivan driving around Aurora right now, sporting window stickers from no less than three colleges and one local high school. How are they paying for all those kids to go to college? Edward Jones financial advisor Rebecca …

Most college applications request two or three recommendation letters. Read the application carefully and ask for letters of recommendation from people who know you well. The colleges are trying to get an idea of who you are as a person so having someone write a letter that barely knows you doesn’t give an accurate view of who you are as …

We thought this article was worth passing along. At Lighthouse, we assist our students in producing the best essay possible. We know it’s difficult to make yourself stand out. That’s where our expertise helps. Call us at 630-907-9830 for more information. Your College Admissions Essay: Get noticed! Make your college admission essay stand out The average admission counselor may read …

Your college application is an opportunity for you to demonstrate who you are as a person. It’s best to be honest and as complete as possible in your application. Check with your high school counselor to find out what parts of the application your school will send directly. Your counselor can also help you fill out parts of your application. …

Questions to Ask Your Counselor You should meet with your counselor at least once a semester. They are a great resource, but they may have limited time due to the student to counselor ratio. It’s best to go into the meeting prepared with questions. Lighthouse Counselors work hand-in-hand with your guidance counselor to ensure you are prepared for and get …

Here are several local college fairs in the Chicago area. College Fairs are a great way to ‘visit’ several colleges at once. Call us at 630-907-9830 to ask us for a list of questions to ask on college visits. Take advantage of this great opportunity to see several schools at once. National College Fair-Milwaukee Sunday, October 9th, 12 p.m. – …