News for the college season
What changed this week in admissions, dated and sourced, with what it means for a student. Written by Stratia's founder.
September 202610 stories
Report released
Data releaseSAT scores rise again for the class of 2026: the average is 1045, up 16 points
The national SAT picture for last year's seniors: a higher average, slightly fewer takers, and what that means when you read a college's score range.
Source: College Board, Sep 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Opened to everyone
Now openThe 2027-28 FAFSA is open, a week ahead of the October 1 target
The federal aid form for students starting college in fall 2027 went live to everyone on September 23. What happened, and why filing early still matters.
Source: Federal Student Aid, Sep 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Announcement dated
AnnouncementCaliforniaa16z announces the Horowitz Andreessen Academy, a school built on real projects
The venture firm is incubating a full-time school for young people coming out of high school, built on co-ops, courses and personal projects. What it is, what it costs, and how it fits with applying to college this fall.
Source: a16z.com, Sep 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Data released
Data release
UT AustinUT Austin drew a record 98,841 freshman applications for fall 2026
Applications to UT Austin rose 9% in a year. What that means for Texas seniors counting on automatic admission for fall 2027.
Source: UT News, Sep 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
Announcement
VanderbiltVanderbilt raises its free-tuition line from $150,000 to $200,000, for this fall's applicants
Opportunity Vanderbilt now covers tuition up to $200,000 in family income, and Vanderbilt says it applies to students applying this fall.
Source: Vanderbilt Admissions, Sep 17, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
Announcement
CarletonCarleton drops loans from its financial aid, starting fall 2027
Carleton will replace every federal and college loan in its aid packages with grants. Any student who qualifies for need-based aid is covered.
Source: Carleton College, Sep 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
AnnouncementNew YorkMarist caps tuition, housing and dining at $32,000 a year for New York families at or under $200,000
A New York private university sets one clear yearly price for in-state families at or under $200,000. Who qualifies and what it asks of you.
Source: Marist University, Sep 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
Announcement
Notre DameNotre Dame will require the SAT or ACT again, starting with applicants for fall 2028
Juniors applying to Notre Dame next year will need a test score. Seniors applying now do not. Juniors who can't test because of hardship or no nearby test center can ask for an exception.
Source: University of Notre Dame, Sep 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Announced
Announcement
WellesleyWellesley guarantees free tuition for U.S. families earning $200,000 or less, from fall 2027
Wellesley's new tuition guarantee applies automatically, and the college puts the likely yearly cost for eligible students at $0 to $26,000.
Source: Wellesley College, Sep 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Preview published
AnnouncementWhat is different on the 2027-28 FAFSA: results right away for most students
Federal Student Aid's September 3 preview lists six changes to the form seniors file this year. The one families will notice is instant results.
Source: Federal Student Aid, Sep 3, 2026 · 3 min read
August 20269 stories
Announced
AnnouncementCommon App Direct Admissions grows to 234 colleges, with offers from mid-September
Some seniors will find an admission offer in their Common App account before they apply anywhere. Who gets one, and what to do with it.
Source: Common App, Aug 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Report released
Data releaseCommon App's 2025-26 report: more students sent test scores than did not, for the first time since 2019-20
Last year's application season in numbers: applications up 6%, applicants up 2%, and a turn in who sends test scores.
Source: Common App, Aug 20, 2026 · 3 min read
Proposed
Proposed
UW-MadisonUniversities of Wisconsin propose a two-year tuition freeze starting fall 2027, if the state pays for it
The Universities of Wisconsin proposed a four-year tuition pledge that freezes tuition for 2027-29 and caps the next two years' increases at inflation, if the state funds it.
Source: Universities of Wisconsin, Aug 17, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
AnnouncementMichiganMichigan launches MI College Match: admission offers without an application, first offers October 5
Michigan seniors can get college offers from one short profile. The dates, the first colleges in it, and what an offer does and does not mean.
Source: Michigan College Access Network, Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read
Announced
Announcement
BUBoston University's BU Promise: full tuition for families under $200,000, and no loans
BU removed loans from need-based aid and capped what families under $200,000 pay, beginning with students who entered in the 2026-27 academic year.
Source: BU Today, Aug 6, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
Announcement6 California collegesCal State Apply opens two months early for fall 2027; submissions still start October 1
The CSU application opened in August this year instead of October. What you can do now, what waits until October 1, and the fee waiver.
Source: California State University, Aug 3, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
Announcement
RiceRice makes tuition free for families earning up to $200,000, starting fall 2027
Rice raised the income line for free tuition from $140,000 to $200,000, starting with this fall's applicants.
Source: Rice University, Aug 3, 2026 · 2 min read
Announced
AnnouncementVirginiaVirginia juniors can take the SAT at their own school this year
Virginia districts must now offer the SAT in school, on a school day, to juniors. What that changes for a Virginia student planning to test.
Source: College Board, Aug 3, 2026 · 2 min read
Opened
Now open2 collegesCommon App opens for 2026-27, with Georgetown among 64 new members
The application seniors use this fall opened August 1 with more than 1,200 colleges, 64 of them new, Georgetown among them. Here is what changed.
Source: Common App, Jul 31, 2026 · 3 min read