The Decision Day Is Coming (MAY 1)
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There’s a date on the calendar that’s got some of you anxious, some of you excited, and all of you watching the clock:
May 1 — College Decision Day.
It’s not just a deadline. It’s a launch pad.
But before you panic about what you haven’t done, here’s a truth they don’t say loud enough:
You can’t make a smart college decision without a smart money plan.
Let’s fix that.
🚀 You’re Not Picking a Future. You’re Picking a First Step.
May 1 feels like the moment where everything locks in.
But it’s not.
It’s just the first yes in a series of decisions that shape your future.
And the smartest students—the ones who graduate without drowning in debt—don’t just follow the hype.
They follow the numbers.
🎓 Before You Commit, Do These 5 Things:
1. 📬 Finish. Your. FAFSA.
Still waiting on your parents’ tax return? Still putting it off?
No shame—just action.
Because FAFSA isn’t just about Pell Grants.
It’s how you unlock:
Work-study jobs
Federal loans
State aid (like TAP in NY)
Merit scholarships at colleges
🗓 This is your financial starting line. You don’t have to know your major, but you do need to file.
2. 🕵🏽 Ask for a Financial Aid Breakdown (Not Just “Award Letters”)
Colleges love to send aid packages that look generous—until you read the fine print.
Before you commit:
Ask what’s a grant vs. a loan
Ask about hidden fees (lab fees, tech fees, etc.)
Ask if your aid renews every year
Pro tip: Make a spreadsheet. Add everything up. Compare.
3. 📲 Use a Net Price Calculator
Every college has one on their site.
It shows you what you’ll actually pay after aid—not just sticker price.
Don’t commit to a $70K college if a $5K one will help you graduate debt-free and sane.
4. 💬 Call the Financial Aid Office (Seriously)
Too many students ghost this step.
But you’d be surprised what can happen when you ask:
“Can I appeal my award?”
“Do you offer more aid if I file late?”
“Is there a book scholarship or laptop loaner?”
"what scholarships do you have available"?
Colleges are businesses.
And smart customers ask for clarity.
5. 💵 Start Your Financial Literacy Era
It’s Financial Literacy Month, which means now is the time to:
Open a student checking/savings account
Watch how refund checks work
Learn what interest really means
Track what your future monthly loan payment could be
Use tools like:
Smart money moves now = less stress later.
✅ Your Checklist
File your FAFSA
Compare your offers
Talk to financial aid reps
Make the most affordable smart decision
Celebrate your path—not anyone else’s
💡 Final Thought: This Month Isn’t Just About the “Where”—It’s About the “How”
It’s easy to get caught up in school colors and T-shirt reveals.
But May 1 isn’t a photo op—it’s a promise to yourself.
A promise to do college on your terms.
To understand the cost.
To own your future.
And that starts with the FAFSA.
It continues with a plan.
And it ends with you walking into freshman year saying:
“I made the right move. And I can afford it.”
—Good Vibes Team
Helping you ride the wave to a debt-free degree 🌊
