how early to plan – Diversified College Planning

June 25, 2025

The Financial Aid Mistake Sophomore Families Can’t Afford to Make

Jarad Stolz Blog aid timeline sophomore year, asset reduction strategy, best time for college prep, choosing colleges by aid, college admission tips, college affordability, college money tips, college planning, college savings strategy, cost of college, early FAFSA planning, early financial planning, financial aid advice, financial aid sophomore year, financial aid timeline, financial mistakes college, financial planning sophomore, high school college prep, how early to plan, how to pay for college, income protection for financial aid, income strategy FAFSA, maximize college aid, merit aid, need-based aid, parent tips college, smart college families, sophomore college prep, sophomore families college, tax year FAFSA

Most families wait too long to start college planning, and that delay can cost them thousands. Sophomore year is a critical time to begin understanding how aid works and what colleges are really charging.