Parents & Guardians: Understanding
Offers
College Knowledge Foundation
Helping Families Make Confident College Decisions
Receiving a college decision is one of the most exciting moments in your student’s journey. After months of planning, applying, and waiting, the results start arriving, sometimes with a mix of emotions. Understanding what each type of admission decision means will help you and your student make confident, informed choices about the next step.
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This guide explains the types of college admission offers, what to expect from financial aid and acceptance letters, and how to handle decisions like deferrals or waitlists.
Types of Admission Decisions
Colleges use different admission timelines and decision types. Knowing how each one works helps your family stay organized and avoid confusion during application season.
Decision Type
What It Means
Key Details for Families
Early Action (EA)
Students apply earlier than regular deadlines, usually by November, and receive decisions by December or January.
Early Action is non-binding, meaning your student can apply early but still wait until May 1 to decide. It’s great for students who want early feedback without a commitment.
Early Decision (ED)
Students apply early and agree to attend that school if accepted.
Early Decision is binding. If your student is accepted, they must withdraw all other applications. Only apply if this is your student’s top-choice school and the financial aid package is manageable.
Early Decision II (ED II)
Similar to Early Decision, but deadlines are later, usually in January.
Another binding option for students who decide later in the process that a particular college is their first choice.
Regular Decision
The standard timeline for college applications, usually with deadlines in January or February.
Students receive decisions in March or April and have until May 1 to respond. This allows more time to compare financial aid offers and options.
Rolling Admission
Applications are reviewed as they’re received.
Decisions are released continuously until all spots are filled. Applying early can increase your student’s chances of admission and access to scholarships.
Understanding Acceptance and Financial Aid Offers
When your student receives an offer of admission, they’ll also receive (or soon after) a financial aid award letter. This document outlines how much it will cost to attend and what aid your student is being offered.
What to Look for in an Offer Letter:
1. Cost of Attendance:
The estimated total cost of tuition, housing, meals, books, and other expenses for one year.
2. Grants and Scholarships:
Free money that does not need to be repaid.
3. Loans:
Borrowed money that must be repaid after graduation.
4. Work-Study:
Part-time job opportunities through the college that help cover expenses.
Pro Tip: Encourage your student to compare offers from different colleges using a comparison chart or spreadsheet. Pay attention to the total cost after aid, not just the amount of aid offered.
For help reviewing financial aid details, visit our Financial Aid Page.
Understanding Deferrals and Waitlists
Sometimes a student’s application is not immediately accepted or denied. Here’s what those results mean:
Term
Explanation
Next Steps
Deferred
The college has moved your student's application from an early round (Early Action or Early Decision) to the Regular Decision pool for further review.
Encourage your student to send updated grades, accomplishments, or a brief letter reaffirming their interest in the school.
Waitlisted
The college may offer your student admission later if space becomes available.
Students should accept the spot on the waitlist if still interested, but also secure a place at another college. They can later decide to attend the waitlist school if admitted.
Denied
The student was not offered admission.
Remind your student that one "no" does not define their future. There are many colleges that could be the perfect fit.
Next Steps After Acceptances
Once all decisions arrive, help your student:
☑ Review every acceptance and financial aid package carefully.
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☑ Visit or revisit top-choice schools before making a final decision.
☑ Submit an enrollment deposit to their chosen college by May 1 (National College Decision Day).
☑ Notify other schools they will not be attending.
☑ Complete any housing, orientation, or registration forms by each school’s deadlines.
Don the Knowledge Guy’s Tip
Parents, this part of the journey is about support and balance. Celebrate every acceptance, guide your student through comparing financial aid offers, and remind them that success isn’t about the name of the college, it’s about what they do with the opportunities ahead.
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Knowledge is your superpower, and encouragement is theirs.