The ACT is Changing in 2025!

By Katherine O'Brien, Certified College Planning Specialist, Founder of Celtic College Consultants

The SAT changed significantly a couple of years ago after the ACT gained more than 50% of the market. Now that the SAT is being taken by more than half of test taking students, the ACT is changing.

The ACT is phasing in its changes.

October 2024

Students could pilot the new ACT on a limited basis.

April, June, and July 2025 National test dates - TWO OPTIONS

Students can take the new ACT online OR the current version on paper. The cost is the same. Both online and paper exams must be taken at official testing centers. As before, students will select the testing center when registering for the exam.

September 2025 and beyond

ALL ACT takers will take the revised ACT.

The new ACT will be a digital test.

What's new?

1. The ACT will be a SHORTER test. The Science section will be OPTIONAL.

The ACT will drop from being more than three hours long to being just over two hours long. (125 minutes v. 195 minutes) Overall the revised ACT will include 44 fewer questions than the current version. Students choosing to take the science section will have an additional 40 minutes. The optional writing section also takes 40 minutes.

 

This chart shows the number of questions for each portion of the test, along with the length of each section of the test. While students only taking the English, math, and reading sections will finish in just over 2 hours, students taking the science and the writing sections will have 205 minutes of testing. (The current ACT with writing takes 235 minutes, nearly 4 hours.)

 

 

 

2. There will be MORE TIME PER QUESTION on the revised ACT

 

The average will be almost 58 seconds per question, rather than the current version which only allowed a mere 49 seconds per question. The English section will allow 42 seconds per question, up from 36. The math section will give more than 10% longer per question, 67 seconds, rather than 60. Additionally, rather than five possible answers, math questions on the revised ACT will only offer four possible answers. The reading section will also allow 67 seconds per question, significantly more than the previous 53 seconds. Finally, for those who take the science section, 60 seconds, rather than 53 seconds will be allowed per question.

3. NEW ACT SCORING

The ACT score composite was calculated from the four sections: math, science, English, and reading. Making the science section optional prompted a change in the way the composite score is determined. Now the composite score will be made up from the English, math, and reading portions of the test. Section scores will be given for the science (The reading comprehension section will include some science reading. ) and writing. A STEM score will also be provided for students who take the science section. The STEM score will be derived from the math and science portion scores.

The top score on the ACT will remain a 36. Per the ACT, the new composite scores will be equivalent to the current scores. Beginning in September, 2025, ALL ACT composite scores will be calculated according to the new method.

4. The OPTIONAL Science section

Except for the fact that there will be more time available per question, the science section will not be changing. The same types of questions will be asked.

Paying for College: Understanding Award Letters

by Katherine O'Brien, Senior College Planning Specialist

At some point after being accepted for admission by a college, your child will receive a letter from the financial aid office. This letter will include some or all of the information you need to determine who much the first year of study at that college will cost. Every college your child is accepted to will create one of these. They may come via US mail. Here are a few examples. You will notice that they are somewhat similar, yet somewhat different.

 

These letters sometimes come alongside the acceptance letter. Sometimes they come months later. If any of yours hasn’t arrived by the end of March, it’s time to contact those financial aid offices directly to ask about it.

 

The Top 3 Reasons Award Letters are Delayed

 

1.        The FAFSA or CSS PROFILE (if required) was not submitted.

2.        The FAFSA did not include that college as one of the colleges.

3.        The letter hasn’t been accessed by the student. S/he may have received an email notice that the letter was available. Many colleges post award letters in the college portal, to which students have been given login credentials. Often students forget to check for updates, or they don’t read or follow up on the email(s) telling them to login and receive their letter.

 

Pro Tip: Students should login to their student portals weekly and check for notices. Requests for additional information, invitations to join groups, apply for scholarships or special programs, as well as their financial aid award are often posted inside this platform.

 

If your student has checked email (including spam and junk folders) as well as the portal but finds nothing, it is prudent to reach out to the financial aid office. Check the website for their contact information.

 

Here’s a template for that email:

 

 

Hello,

 

My name is _____. My student ID is _____ (be sure to use the ID for the right college!). I was accepted for Fall 20XX admission. I’m writing/emailing to ask about the status of my financial aid award letter. I have not found it in my student portal nor have I received it via email or US mail.

 

Please let me know if you are missing anything from me. I haven’t seen any notices that you are missing something or that my award letter would be delayed. Let me know if I’ve missed something. The best way to contact me is by phone/text/email/letter.

 

If everything is in order, please let me know, when you can, when I can expect to receive my award letter.

 

Thank you very much for your time and attention. I look forward to making my decision once I have reviewed my financial aid package.

 

Sincerely,

 

Student name

 

 

Sample Financial Aid Award Letters:

 

 

 Here's another one:

 Sample #3 (This one shows both on campus and off campus housing costs:

And a fourth example:

 

Before I show you how to analyze them, allow me to explain some of the terms used.

 

Direct Costs: These are costs paid directly to the college. They include tuition, fees, and, if you are going to live on campus, room ,and board. You will also incur costs for books, supplies, insurance, transportation, personal items, and spending money.

 

Subsidized Loans: Every citizen who files the FAFSA, regardless of income, is eligible to take federal student loans. Subsidized loans are loans that the government pays the interest on while the student continues to be a student. Only students with financial need can take subsidized limits. There are annual limits as well as a total limit on how much can be borrowed. The federal government offers many programs to repay these loans once a student leaves college. Repayment is deferred until six months after the student stops attending college.

 

Unsubsidized Loans: Every citizen who files the FAFSA, regardless of income, is eligible to take federal student loans. All students can take unsubsidized loans. For these loans the interest accumulates from the time the money is borrow. There are annual limits as well as a total limit on how much can be borrowed. The federal government offers many programs to repay these loans once a student leaves college. Repayment is deferred until six months after the student stops attending college.

 

Year	Dependent Students	Independent Students
First Year Undergraduate	$3,500 subsidized/ $5,500 total	$3,500 subsidized/ $9,500 total
Second Year Undergrads	$4,500 subsidized/$6,500 total	$4,500 subsidized/ $10, 500 total
Third Year and beyond Undergrads	$5, 500 subsidized/ $7,500 total	$5,500 subsidized/ $12, 500 total
Graduate/Professional Students	N/A	$0 subsidized/ $20,500 total
TOTAL ALLOWED TO BORROW (Grad student totals include ALL federal student loans)	$23,000 subsidized/ $31,000 total	$23, 000 subsidized/ $57,500 total (undergrad) $65,500 subsidized/ $138,500 (grad)

 

Dependent Students: Undergraduate students who are financially supported by their parents and who have not been declared homeless, or who are not married, or who do not support a child are considered dependent students. Their parents’ financial information is considered on the FAFSA.

 

Independent Students: Graduate students, married students, students supporting children, and students who have been declared homeless are independent students. Their parents’ financial information is not included in the FAFSA. Dependent students whose parents are not able to take a PLUS loan can borrow up to this limit.

 

PLUS loan: Parent Loan for Undergraduate Studies – This federal loan program allows parents to borrow in order to pay for their child(ren)’s college. It must be repaid immediately and is not forgivable by bankruptcy. Parents cannot borrow more than the cost of attendance minus the other aid your child receives. Graduate and professional students can also take PLUS loans. The borrower’s credit history must meet the criteria to take this loan. There is not a total limit on the amount that can be borrowed.

 

How Can I Determine How Much We Will Have to Pay?

 

Use the spreadsheet I created for you! Copy this google sheet and enter in your information.

 

To schedule a college funding meeting, whether you are still in the planning stages, applying, or have already been accepted and are sorting through your options, email Katherine at KOB@CelticCollegeConsultants.com to schedule your private meeting today.

 

 

Paying for College: Financial Aid Forms - FAFSA & PROFILE

 by Katherine O'Brien, Certified College Planning Specialist

1.    FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

This form is the key that opens federal aid, including Pell grants (which have recently expanded to many more students!), SEOG grants, and federal student and parent loan programs. Many states also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their aid programs. Additionally, the vast majority of colleges use this form to allocate their need-based aid programs.

 

Who is your Parent for the FAFSA?

 

A key question – for the FAFSA, who is considered your parent when you are an unmarried undergraduate student

-If your biological or adoptive parents and you live together, whether they are married or not, then they are your FAFSA parents

-if you live with only one parent because the other is deceased, that parent (and his or her spouse) is/are your FAFSA parent(s)

-if your biological or adoptive parents do not live together, the parent who provides more of your financial support (and his or her spouse) is/are your parent(s) for the FAFSA

-If you don’t live with either of your parents and have not been adopted or set under a guardian, you still need to include the information for your parent(s) on your FAFSA.

 

Parent & Student must CREATE an FSA ID to electronically sign the form

 

You and ONE of your parents need to create FSA IDs. This is a code you will use to electronically sign your FAFSA form, as well as any federal loan forms. You can set one up here: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

 

File the FAFSA online:

 

The FAFSA is available here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

File it in October of senior year for freshman year. It will need to be filed again annually in advance of each year of college. Be sure to CHOOSE the FAFSA form for the CORRECT SCHOOL YEAR – for a HS senior in the Class of 2025, choose 25/26 FAFSA, since that is your freshman year in college.

 

The FAFSA will pull tax information for both parent and student, for the calendar year two years before the school year starts. For the 25/26 school year, the 2023 tax information is used (2025-2=2023). Current asset information will be entered in by parents and the student.

 

Avoid Common FAFSA Mistakes

 

Say YES to Work/Study. It is program through which you can earn money toward your college costs.

 

File for the correct school year.

 

Only include the correct assets (see below)

 

Indicate your parents’ education level correctly. If neither parent has a bachelor’s degree, you are considered a first generation student and there’s more aid available. Be sure to indicate high school as their highest school completed.

 

List in-state public universities first in the college section. Search by college name, not abbreviations. Verify that you have listed the correct colleges. Unless you are sure you’ll be living at home or off campus, list on campus as your housing plan, even if you aren’t sure.

 

Be sure the student questions get student answers. When Mom sees “marital status?” she is thinking of her own, not the student’s, but the question is about the student’s marital status.

 

Look at the help (?) to determine the number of people in your household. While this number is no longer used in the federal formula, states and colleges get this information and can take it into account.

 

Watch your email after you file the FAFSA. The student will receive an email indicating the FAFSA has been filed. Also, if the student is required to “verify” their FAFSA, an email will let them know. So, KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR EMAIL. If you don’t check it regularly, set a reminder to check it every couple of weeks from when you file until the time you get financial aid awards. If a verification email comes in, deal with it right away.

 

The FAFSA MUST BE FILED for EVERY YEAR YOU ARE IN COLLEGE AND WANT AID.

 

What is an Asset for FAFSA?

 

Assets are your savings, investments, your liquid assets. NOT the house in which you live, car(s), or other possessions. NOT your retirement savings or life insurance. YES your second home, YES your stocks and bonds and 529 accounts (for the student), YES your business are assets.

 

What happens next??

 

Once you file the FAFSA form, and both parent and student have submitted it, the student will receive an email. If that doesn’t happen, the FAFSA didn’t get filed.

 

What is verification?

 

About 1/3 of FAFSA filers are selected for verification. If you are selected, you’ll need to do what is asked of you.

 

You’ll get your SAI, (formerly called the EFC), the Student Aid Index. It can be -1500 to 999,999. The lower the number, the more aid you are eligible to receive.

 

2. CSS PROFILE

 

About 250 colleges and universities require the CSS PROFILE form in addition to the FAFSA form. The PROFILE form is used to disperse the college's own funds. File the form in the fall of senior year. Full information and deadlines is available through each college's website.

 

The list of the colleges that require the PROFILE form is here. 

The PROFILE form requires significantly more information than the FAFSA. Income for two years before the college school year starts (just like the FAFSA, for 25/26 it would be the 2023 year), the year before the college year starts (for 25/26, it would be 2024, which might not be finished yet when the form is filed), and an estimate of the next year's income (2025).

Assets for the PROFILE form: Nothing is excluded. In addition to the many questions on the PROFILE form, some colleges include additional questions, which will be shown at the end of the form.

IDOC - the Institutional Documentation Service

IDOC is used by some of the PROFILE schools as the secure platform to upload various financial documents.

 

 

Paying for College, Part Two: Building an Affordable List

 by Katherine O'Brien, ThD Candidate, Certified College Planning Specialist

 

A college list, ideally, is a list of 6-10 colleges that have the academic major(s) and/or program(s) your teen is looking for, that will prepare him or her for the kind of work s/he is interested in and have determined is a good academic, social, and spiritual fit for him or her. Another key factor is financial fit. Here are guidelines to help you include colleges and universities that will be affordable, and keep those with too high a net cost off your list.

 

First, some definitions:

 

Net price: the price you will actually pay, based on your grades, scores, major, and financial resources.

 

Sticker price (also known as the COA or Cost of Attendance): the official price for a year of college, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.

 

Public in state universities: Public colleges and universities located in the same state as the student. If the student’s parents are divorced and live in different states, s/he might be considered an in-state student in both states. Check with the states for their residency requirements as they differ from state to state.

 

Public colleges and universities receive funding from their state government. Therefore, they have TWO prices for tuition: for in-state students and for out-of-state students. The out of state tuition rate is typically MUCH, MUCH higher than in state tuition. Typically, in state public colleges have lower sticker prices (COAs) than private colleges. For out of state students, however, some private colleges will have lower prices while others have higher prices.

 

Because their in-state prices are already fairly low, public colleges don’t tend to offer as many, or as generous, scholarships. Residency is nearly always determined by where you life. Do a quick internet search to learn your state’s residency requirements. Residency will impact your tuition at public colleges and universities as well as eligibility for state aid programs. (Use the NASFAA website to check your state’s aid programs.)

 

 

Public out of state universities: Public colleges and universities  located in a state that the student does not live in.

 

Private colleges and universities: Colleges and universities not run by state governments.

 

Private colleges are FAR more likely to offer tuition discounts and scholarships. Some offer ALL students a scholarship. For students who are high academic achievers in their student body, generous scholarships tend to be available. Keep in mind, private colleges charge the same tuition, no matter where you live.

 

 

Two year/Community Colleges Typically these are public colleges. This can be a good place to study, especially if you will only need an associate’s degree or a certificate for your chosen profession. As a step into a four year college, the chances of spending two years at community college and finishing in two more at a four year are low. (Most take 3-4 years at the 4-year to finish their degree.) DO keep that in mind if this is a path to a four year degree you want to seriously consider.

 

International Universities Colleges and universities located in a different country from the student’s home country. Bachelor’s degrees in non-American universities typically take 3 years. Germany, Iceland, and Norway offer tuition free college. Tuition in Austria, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Malaysia is very low. If you speak Spanish or Portuguese, Argentina and Brazil offer very low tuition rates.

 

Vocational Schools These post-secondary schools train students in various vocations, from hair dressing to auto mechanics to chefs to dental assistants. The length of the program varies.

 

Service Academies These four year colleges are free for everyone who gets in, but extraordinarily selective and require military service of their graduates.

 

For Profit Colleges Most of these private colleges result in students with significant debt and poor outcomes. Many have extremely low graduation rates.. I can’t encourage families to consider them.

 

ONE WAY TO PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF AFFORDABLE COLLEGES

 

You can get a general idea of the kind of college best to focus on in this way:

(affluent here indicates ineligible for need based aid, or having an SAI above $30,000 (SAI is the amount you can afford, per the FAFSA form.)

 

Top students from non-affluent families typically find good financial affordability at:

1.        Private colleges, especially those with generous merit scholarships. Less selective colleges tend to give out more scholarships. You may also be able to get in state grants or scholarships for private colleges in your state of residence. Highly selective (accept <25%) often offer significant need based aid. Some meet full need without asking you to take any loans.

2.        Public in state universities

3.        Two year colleges

4.        Public out of state colleges when they are in the top 10% of the student body and win an elite scholarship or the college participates in an undergraduate exchange tuition reduction program with your state

5.        If your parent works at a college, or a college with an agreement with your parent’s college.

6.        If your parent is a veteran, there may be institutional scholarships and the Yellow Ribbon program available to match or supplement the GI Bill benefits.

 

Public out of state colleges and international colleges tend to be least affordable to these students.

 

Top students from affluent families

 

Scholarships and low sticker priced schools are your best financial fit.

 

1.        Private colleges are the most likely to reward your talents

2.        Public in state colleges are the most likely to be affordable. Look for honors colleges and programs.

3.        International colleges – because a bachelor’s degree only takes 3 years to complete.

4.        Two year college, if you aren’t seeking a four year degree

 

Not a top student AND not from a wealthy family? Here are your best financial fit college categories:

 

There are still some great options.

 

1.        Public in state universities

2.        Two year colleges

3.        Private colleges, maybe

4.        Public out of state colleges, if your state and the school’s state participate in an undergraduate exchange program that offers lower tuition rates.

 

Not a top student yet from a wealthy family – best financial fits:

 

1.        Public in state universities

2.        Two year colleges – having the opportunity to further mature as a person, clarify your life and college goals, and hone your study skills might be very helpful

3.        Private colleges

 

For a private college financial consultation, please schedule with Katherine by email: KOB@CelticCollegeConsultants.

Paying for College, Part One: Scholarships

 by Katherine O'Brien, Certified College Planning Specialist

Confusing. Stressful. Complicated. That's how most people feel about the whole topic of paying for college.

Parents are afraid. Students are clueless, not having any concept of the meaning of money, of the real cost of anything.

 

Parents are afraid, unsure what is real – there is SO much conflicting and confusing information out there! In part, this is the case because the rules keep changing and there are variations from college to college and, even, alarmingly!, from year to year.

Scholarships Basics

Some Recent Stats

$46B scholarship dollars awarded in 2023, per the DOE. Scholarships and grants typically cover around 29% of college costs. Of that 46B, $8.2B was private scholarship dollars. Therefore 17% of scholarship dollars in 2023 were awarded by private organizations. The other 83% came from the colleges themselves.

 

Scholarships often enable students to afford a more expensive college than they could have attended without receiving the scholarships.

A greater percentage of scholarship recipients were attending very or moderately selective colleges than those who don’t receive scholarships (85% v. 75%). Students who enroll at very selective colleges are twice as likely to have won scholarships than  students at open admission colleges (17.7% v. 8.5%).[1]

 

Students with GPA over 3.5 is more likely to win scholarships. Also, students who file the FAFSA are more likely to have won scholarships than those who do not file the FAFSA (17% v. 9%). 85% of students who receive scholarships file the FAFSA v. 72% of students who do not receive scholarships. Also, students at private colleges are more likely to have won scholarships than those at public universities (19% v. 14%). Lastly, while more students majoring in STEM fields win scholarships than those with other majors, it’s not a significant difference (16.6% v. 14.6%)

 

About 1/7^th of students receiving scholarships receive them from private organizations. The total number of private scholarships has increased (20% from 2015/16 to 2019/20, per the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study). The total amount of private scholarships has also increased. The average private scholarship amount in 19/20 was just over $4,900 amongst students in bachelor’s degree programs.

 

Want a Full Ride?

 

Be aware that only 1.4% of undergrad receive gift aid covering their full cost of attendance (COA). Gift aid includes all types of grants and scholarships. 3% have enough gift aid to cover 90% of the COA.

Financial Aid impact

 

Simply speaking, this is how need based financial aid eligibility is determined:

 

COA – SAI – Resources = Need

 

Scholarships affect need based eligibility dollar for dollar. COA is the complete cost of attending a particular college for a particular year. It is an official number determined by the college. It might vary from major to major or college to college within a university, but not student to student. The COA includes tuition, fees, room, board, as well as a school determined amount for transportation, books, equipment, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses. SAI is the Student Aid Index, which is determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) formula. The SAI is determinative for federal aid and most state aid; many colleges also use it to allocate their own need-based aid funds. Resources include monies paid by “outside sources.” This includes grandparents and other people as well as scholarships not directly granted by the college.

 

Because scholarships directly impact need-based aid eligibility, it is ESSENTIAL that you know whether you will be eligible for need based aid at colleges your child might attend. We’ll discuss this further in part two of this series.

 

Some scholarships are awarded for four years, while others are for one year only. Four year scholarships typically have requirements which must continue to be met in order to continue to receive them. Most important among these are the requirements of how many credits per term must be taken and the minimum GPA the student must achieve. Together these are called Satisfactory Academic Performance (SAP).

 

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[1]  https://thecollegeinvestor.com/44670/odds-of-winning-a-scholarship-increasing

 

College Prep Milestones

by Katherine O'Brien, Certified College Planning Specialist, Founder of Celtic College Consultants

 Like any long journey, the journey to college has a number of stages. Knowing where you are on the journey is essential to attaining the desired outcome - acceptances into great colleges with strong programs in a desired field at a manageable cost. The Three Pillars of College Success are:

 Excellent Student Prep

Savvy College Selection

Abundant Funding

 

 

Here are some major milestones on the journey to college:

Juniors Your college list is nearly finalized. Some application essays are already in process.

Sophomores Your criteria and budget for colleges getting on your list is set. You have an idea of your desired major and program.

Freshman Goals for personal development, explorations of possible fields of study and careers are well underway. College budget is estimated.

For the full timeline, with milestones from grade 5 to grade 12, email Katherine: KOB@CelticCollegeConsultants.com   Let her know whether you'd like the standard timeline or the timeline for Catholic families.

Over the past decade, my College Success Program students have each been offered, on average nearly $250,000 in merit scholarships! Get on track for College Success. Meet with me, get your questions answered, and join the program today! Email to schedule your family's private college prep meeting with Katherine: KOB@CelticCollegeConsultants.com