ICC Blog

A photo which illustrates International College Counselors provides insight to help students and their families in understanding the FAFSA.

The 2024-25 FAFSA is open. Everything you need to know.

We are happy to announce the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year. The FAFSA is a family’s gateway to accessing federal financial aid to help fund a student’s college education. Fill out the Federal Student Aid Estimator to see if filling out the 2024-25 FAFSA makes sense for your…

A photo which illustrates International College Counselors sharing major reasons for why students should NOT use AI/ChatGPT to write their college admissions essays.

Proceed with Caution: Relying on ChatGPT for College Admissions Essays

While using AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT is undeniably convenient and efficient, using it to craft college admissions essays is extremely risky. From the hundreds of essays we’ve read over the past year, the use of ChatGPT is not hard to spot. Most student essays that utilized ChatGPT felt extremely cold, were well above the…

A photo illustrating International College Counselors offering advice for parents on supporting their student through college admissions decisions.

Thriving Through College Admissions Decisions: Celebrating Victories and Coping with Disappointment

Navigating college admissions decisions generates a mix of emotions—excitement, anticipation, and disappointment. Embrace the highs, acknowledge the lows, and maintain a positive outlook. Whether your student’s acceptance letter arrives with confetti or their dream school says no, it’s essential to navigate these emotions with resilience and optimism. Remember, these college admissions decisions are stepping stones,…

A photo which illustrates International College Counselors provides insight to help students and their families in understanding the FAFSA.

The 2024-25 FAFSA® form will be available in December 2023

** ALL** high school seniors and their families should fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is NO downside to submitting the 2024-25 FAFSA. This application determines families’ eligibility for federal grants (money you don’t have to pay back), work-study (where the student has a federally funded job on campus), low-interest student loans,…