Thanks to the Sacramento Rebels Class of 2028 families and players for welcoming me and asking thoughtful questions about college planning. I wanted to share a few additional insights to expand on some of the conversation:
Q: For FAFSA, which tax years matter, and what else do families need to know?
For the Class of 2028, families will complete the FAFSA for the 2028–2029 school year, opening in Fall 2027. Thus, families will use 2026 tax returns as the starting point when applying for financial aid.
Some caveats to consider, if you’re tax planning for 2026:
- Some private universities also require full tax returns of the most recent tax year (i.e. 2027 for Class of 2028 grads), whether filed or not, as part of their institutional aid review.
- Many of these same private colleges also require families to file the CSS Profile (via the College Board), which shares more details about a family’s finances than the FAFSA.
So while FAFSA is the main financial aid application form, be ready to submit additional details about your family’s finances depending on the colleges on a student’s list.
Q: How should parents help their teenagers think about “life goals”?
“What do I want to be when I grow up?“, a beautiful but daunting question, especially for a 15-year-old. Thus, parents may be mildly frustrated with a lack of answer or any indication their teen is thinking about their future.
Instead, consider a starting point closer to home:
- Ask questions what your teen enjoys doing in their free time (even if parents disagree with their kid’s efforts)
- For example if teen’s play hours of video games, dig deeper: What kinds of games? Do they prefer solo play or team-based online collaboration? What roles do they naturally take when playing?
- Or if mainly scrolling on their phones, what kinds of posts catch their attention? Why? Who are influencers they follow? Why?
The key follow-up question, no matter the teen’s interest is “Why“, and more importantly, without the expectation of an answer. Often, “I don’t know” is the start of reflection.
Thus, over a series of conversations, students reveal patterns of character—problem-solving, collaboration, leadership—which can help identify educational opportunities without needing a career label.
Be curious, not certain. Life rarely unfolds in a straight line, and education isn’t meant to be a rigid one-to-one pipeline from interest to career.
Q: How does community college transfer admissions work, especially in California?
The UC and CSU systems have built clear transfer pathways from California community colleges to four-year universities. Additionally, numerous private universities in California also guarantee admissions for community college transfer students. But here’s the nuance:
- You may need to choose a major earlier than expected. Transfer applicants are typically admitted directly into a major, not the university at large.
- Each university sets different lower-division course requirements, even for the same major. Careful planning is essential.
The upside? Transfer students often enjoy higher admissions rates, significant cost savings, and a smoother transition into upper-division coursework.
Q: Should families start touring universities in the sophomore year?
Campus visits can be helpful to experience a place. Yet, many high school sophomores are just beginning to define what they do or do not imagine as their college experience. To gain the greatest benefit, given the expense and complex effort to travel, before travelling, families can reflect on:
- Values: What kind of environment will help your student thrive?
- Experiences: What does the student, and all parents expect is the purpose of a college education?
- Finances: What costs can be managed and is of greatest value?
Campus tours are one step in the multi-year consensus-building process between parents and students. The key is starting conversations early and letting them unfold over time.
Closing Thought
College planning is less about rushing to decisions and more about building ongoing dialogue—between parents, students, and advisors. Thank you again, Class of ’28 Rebels, for inviting me to share in your journey. I look forward to seeing the thoughtful ways you continue to explore your futures.
Jill Yoshikawa, co-founder and partner at Creative Marbles Consultancy, combines decades of teaching and advising experience to help students and their families uncover their authentic stories and navigate college admissions with purpose. A graduate of UC San Diego and Harvard, with empathy and expertise, she guides families who seek education as an investment in lifelong prosperity.
Curious how guided self-reflection can transform your student’s college journey? Connect with Jill to learn more.
