January can feel like an in-between month in the college financial aid process. However, there is one thing you should be doing right now and that is checking your college portals. Here’s what you need to know about how to check college portals and how often to look in order to help you stay on track.
Why College Portals Matter Right Now
Once you submit the FAFSA and, if required, the CSS Profile, colleges move much of their communication to their student portals. Each college has its own student portal. These portals are where schools will notify you of any missing or required documents, verification requests, confirmation that forms have been received, financial aid award notifications (once available).
I know most of us are used to receiving important updates through email. However, schools often don’t send emails for these notifications. Sometimes a portal will show a missing item or request before an email is sent, or without one at all. That’s why portals are so important during this phase.
How Often Should You Check?
In January, checking once a week is ideal. I don’t recommend checking compulsively every day as that can create unnecessary stress. However, checking less often increases the risk of missing a deadline, which is also not good. To stay consistent, pick a day that will work well for you each week and do a quick review of each school’s portal on the same day each week.
What to Look for When You Log In
When checking portals, be sure to check both the admissions and financial aid sections. Scan for green checkmarks or “received” statuses, red Xs, alerts, or “action required” messages, and notes about verification or additional documentation.
If a school uses IDOC, you’ll also want to log into your College Board account to confirm your documents were uploaded successfully, all forms are marked as received or accepted, and there is nothing unsigned or pending. If everything shows as complete, that often means there’s nothing else to do right now.
January is unfortunately a lot of waiting. In most cases award letters are not available yet and aid amounts have not been finalized, but that doesn’t mean something is wrong. Financial aid offices are reviewing thousands of files, and January is largely a processing month. If a school needs something from you, they will ask either through the portal, email, or both, which is why all you need to do right now is check in!
What to Do If You See Something Confusing
If you see a request you don’t understand, a document marked incomplete, or something that doesn’t look right, don’t ignore it, but don’t panic either. Take a screenshot or make a note and reach out for clarification. Many issues are simple fixes, like a missing signature or a form that needs to be resubmitted. The sooner questions are addressed, the smoother the process stays and the quicker you’ll get an award letter.
Staying Organized While You Wait
January is great for staying organized while you wait. I suggest students keep a list of schools and portal login info easily accessible. Always save copies of everything you submit. It also helps to organize computer files and email files so you can easily access documents or information needed.
After you choose your day of the week for your portal check ins, set a weekly reminder on your phone so you don’t accidentally forget.
Checking college portals in January is about making sure nothing is holding things up behind the scenes. Once-a-week check-ins, a watchful eye for requests, and timely responses are all most families need to do right now. The bigger updates like admissions decisions and financial aid award letters will come soon.
If you’re ever unsure about what you see on a portal, ask. You don’t have to navigate this waiting period alone!
More about Jodi Okun of College Financial Aid Advisors
Jodi helps with the financial aid process, from completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.