Hey there.
The value of a college degree? It’s shifting, fast.
This week alone: federal policy moved further toward skills-first hiring, California rolled out a bold plan to offer more direct pathways to high-paying jobs, and nearly half of U.S. employers dropped degree requirements for certain roles.
Meanwhile, international applications are cooling off, and there's a noticeable increase in interest from underrepresented students. Let’s break it down…
FIRING UP
Who’s Applying to College Is Changing: This year’s application season has a different rhythm. Underrepresented student applications are rising, while international ones are seeing a noticeable decline. It could be a result of changing outreach strategies or maybe broader global shifts. Either way, it’s likely to have a long-term impact on campuses. Read the full story
Congress Wants to Simplify Tuition (Really): For once, there’s bipartisan agreement: students and families should be able to clearly understand what college is going to cost before they commit. If passed, new legislation would require colleges to present financial aid offers in a more transparent, apples-to-apples format.
It’s a small change that could make a big difference. Details here
FAFSA QUICK FACTS
A few key reminders that are easy to miss if you are divorced or separated:
Only one parent reports: The one who provided the most support over the past year.
Stepparents count: If that parent remarried, the spouse’s info goes on the form.
Non-custodial parents usually don’t: Unless they’re living in the same household.
No signature = no aid: If the parent responsible for signing doesn't agree, there's no way around it for federal or most state aid.
But here's the silver lining: financial aid officers have the ability to use their professional judgment to decide on aid. More FAFSA for divorced/separated parents.
CAREER WATCH
Internship Season Is Already Here for the Class of 2026 & 2027: Yes, already. Competitive summer programs are open. Organizations like NASA, Kaiser Permanente, GTRI, and major banks are recruiting high school students for paid internships with mentorship and hands-on experience.
These programs aren’t just résumé-fillers. They offer real insight into career paths and can strengthen college applications in a meaningful way. Deadlines vary, but most started opening in October. The earlier you apply, the better.
The Tide Is Turning, Here's The Latest Skills vs. Degree Buzz:
Federal funding is leaning into workforce readiness: grants now prioritize skills development alongside traditional academics. Read the federal announcement
California’s new Career Ed Master Plan offers clearer, more accessible routes to solid careers through hands-on training, transferable digital credentials, and experience-based credits. Explore California’s plan
Apprenticeships are scaling up statewide, with a goal of 650,000 opportunities for young people aged 16–24. Apprenticeship strategy overview
Employers are adjusting, too; 45% of U.S. companies dropped degree requirements for some roles this year. Skills, not diplomas, are driving hiring decisions. CBS: The shift in degree requirements
CONVO SPARK FOR THE WEEK
Try this question instead of “What do you want to study?”
Is there something in the world you care deeply about—something you’d love to learn more about, work on, or be part of someday?
It could be a community you care about, a field that fascinates you, a challenge you’d like to understand better, or something that just makes you light up when you talk about it.
That kind of curiosity is a better starting point than locking in a major or career. Once you know what pulls you in, it’s easier to figure out the skills, paths, or experiences that can help you build a life around it.
Once you know what really pulls at you, you can work backward, figure out the skills, the degree (or not), and the kind of experience you’ll need to make a real dent in that space.
APP HACK
Encourage Them to Build Something That Feels Meaningful: If your student is interested in an issue, idea, or topic, encourage them to explore it by creating something of their own. The goal isn’t perfection or scale. It’s about taking initiative, thinking independently, and following through.
Tip: Suggest they track their process and reflect on what they’ve learned.
QUICK PICKS
Today’s college apps aren’t just about grades. Some schools now give students space to show who they are, not just what they’ve done. Two platforms making that possible:
ZeeMee: A social-style profile where students can share short videos, photos, and written answers to show personality, interests, and life beyond the resume. ZeeMee is used by 200+ colleges for admitted students. Optional, but helpful, especially for students who shine outside the classroom. 🔗 Learn more here: ZeeMee.
SlideRoom: A digital portfolio tool for creative work—art, music, design, engineering, builds, coding projects, or research. Slideroom is either required or recommended for many art/STEM programs. Used by schools like RISD, SCAD, and MIT. Read the admission requirements closely to prepare the best work possible. Learn more here: SlideRoom.
Why This Matters: Just knowing they exist means you can help your teen decide what’s worth exploring.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"When parents get anxious, they grab the steering wheel. But we need to let students drive as much as they can."
For every parent up at midnight filling out FAFSA: We see you. The stress is real. Watching your kid struggle with essays and deadlines while you're trying to decode financial aid letters; it's a lot.
But here's the truth: When you step back and let them navigate this bumpy road, you're giving them something more valuable than a perfect application.
Remember this: The deadlines will pass. The panic will fade. The uncertainty won't last forever. What will last is your kid knowing you believed in them enough to let them try—and that you were right there if they needed you.
ONE LAST THOUGHT BEFORE YOU GO
College admissions and career planning can be overwhelming, but the options have never been better. Skills-based hiring, apprenticeships, and transparent costs, there are more paths than ever.
Four-year degree, trade school, gap year—doesn't matter. Trust your kid. There's no single "right" path, just the one that works for them.
That's all for this week. See you next Sunday.
Forward Our Newsletter To Your Best Friends and Coworkers
Whether they're up at 3 AM Googling financial aid or stress-scrolling college forums, send them this. Sometimes knowing you're not alone in the chaos makes all the difference.
From one bleary-eyed parent to another, nobody has this figured out, and that's okay.