Q: Our first child is a senior applying to college. We need all the aid we can get. The admissions officer at one university we visited advised of changes to the FAFSA. What are they?

A: FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. As a minimum, this federal form is required from undergrad and graduate students who seek grants, student loans and work-study jobs in a given academic year.

Along with other possible forms, the FAFSA helps determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), "a key figure colleges and others use to determine a student's aid eligibility," says Kal Chany, the president of Campus Consultants Inc., a New York City-based firm that helps families maximize financial aid. FAFSA requires student data, and if applicable, information from custodial parents or stepparents of a dependent student.

There are two big changes. One is the earlier start to the FAFSA filing period. It began Oct. 1 for fall 2017-spring 2018 aid. In previous years, FAFSA filing began Jan. 1.

The second change is that "prior-prior year" (PPY) income from 2015 will be reported on the 2017-2018 FAFSA. In the past, prior year income was used. "But," says Chany, "all other data will be as of the date your FAFSA is filed." This includes -- but isn't limited to -- asset values, household size and the dependency status of the student.

While the process is complicated, make the effort. "Assume your child is eligible. Don't rule out any college because you think it's too expensive. The higher the cost, the more aid you may receive," says Chany, who is the co-author of "Paying for College Without Going Broke" (Princeton Review, 2015). He offers these tips:

Decide how your family is going to file. You can file online, which is preferred; you can fill out paper forms; or you can print out a downloadable PDF. Go to fafsa.ed.gov to explore your options. Call 1-800-4-FED-AID to request a paper copy, if desired.

Know your deadlines. Each college and state grant agency calls the shots. Make a chart to track the various aid forms and deadlines for each college. Make sure to include your home state's grant deadlines and requirements -- they may be earlier than the colleges' deadlines.

"Contrary to conventional wisdom, the early bird doesn't necessarily get the worm -- just make sure you file in the appropriate time frame," urges Chany.

Figure your EFC before applying. Use worksheets in financial aid guidebooks or online to calculate what the college will estimate you can afford to pay.

"Check for the most up-to-date information, as formulas change every year," Chany cautions.

Maximize your student's eligibility. Consider making appropriate adjustments to your assets, debts and retirement provisions before you apply.

Decide when to file. "Ten states award grant assistance for residents on a first-come, first-served basis. A small number of schools award aid that way, too. If either apply, file the FAFSA and other required documents ASAP," advises Chany. "Otherwise, file by the earliest school's priority filing deadline (or your home state's priority deadline, if earlier) for the particular form involved."

Don't forget to proofread. The forms are complex. "You'll get rewarded by paying attention to detail," says Chany. "Parents often make costly mistakes that can cost thousands of dollars."

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: I worry that my daughter, who is in preschool, may have a stuttering problem. She repeats syllables. Her preschool teacher says it's normal and she'll outgrow it, but I don't want to take that chance. Should I get her tested?

A: When deciding whether or not to have your child evaluated by a speech therapist, the first step is to become well informed. One good place to start is The Stuttering Foundation's website, stutteringhelp.org.

There you'll find explanations for speech characteristics of mild to severe stutters, practical tips and risk factors. The website lists the following:

-- Family history.

-- Age of onset: Kids who stutter before age 3 1/2 are more likely to outgrow stuttering.

-- Time since onset: Between 75 and 80 percent of all children who stutter will begin to show improvement within 12 to 24 months without speech therapy.

-- Gender: Girls are more likely than boys to outgrow stuttering.

-- Other speech and language factors. Does your daughter make frequent speech errors such as substituting one sound for another or leaving sounds out of words?

Your daughter may be what experts call "normally disfluent" -- in other words, she's learning to use new words and building her oral language skills. Many children work through periods of normal disfluency in their preschool years.

Experts with The Stuttering Foundation advise that you should observe patiently, model slower and relaxed speech (think Mr. Rogers), and give your daughter focused, one-on-one time daily to build her confidence in speaking.

These disfluencies occur most often between the ages of 1 to 1 1/2 and 5, and they tend to come and go, says Jane Fraser, president of The Stuttering Foundation and co-author of "If Your Child Stutters: A Guide for Parents" (The Stuttering Foundation, 2010). "If disfluencies disappear for several weeks, then return, your daughter may just be going through another stage of learning.

"We always counsel early intervention as the best treatment for stuttering. If you are very concerned about your child, put your mind at ease by visiting with a speech-language pathologist trained in working with children who stutter."

Fraser advises parents not to be upset or annoyed when stuttering increases. "Your daughter is doing her best as she copes with learning many new skills all at the same time. A patient, accepting attitude will help immensely."

Reassurance often helps. "Some children respond well to hearing, 'I know it's hard to talk at times ... but lots of people get stuck on words ... it's OK,'" says Fraser. "Other children are reassured by a touch or a hug when they seem frustrated."

If your daughter stutters on more than 10 percent of her speech, stutters with considerable effort and tension, or avoids stuttering by changing words and using extra sounds to get started, she will profit from having therapy with a specialist in stuttering, advises Fraser.

To find a therapist in your area, visit the following: stutteringhelp.org/referrals-information.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: My usually confident daughter Charisse just entered middle school and is under a lot of different pressures, including from new peers. It's hard talking with her about it, but I sense her dilemma. She would be mortified if I meet with the counselor for advice. Any thoughts on steps I can take?

A: When teens -- or anyone, really -- feels pressure, there's a sense of being rushed or forced into making choices or decisions before we've had a chance to think them through. The transition to middle school often brings students a new set of pressures and stressors to deal with, says educator Annie Fox, author of "Middle School Confidential," a series of graphic novels and apps for teens (Free Spirit Publishing Inc.).

Not all pressures on teens are bad, says Fox. For example, a teacher might urge a student to take an advanced class because the teacher believes the student could do well. That kind of push gives the student a chance to stretch herself and open doors to more opportunities.

"After thinking about it, she might realize, 'That's a good thing. I'll try it,'" explains Fox.

Or a friend might encourage her to go out and do something fun when she's feeling down, and this is "also a good thing," says Fox.

Pressures from new friends who encourage a student to do something that makes her feel uncomfortable or that go against what she believes in or knows is wrong, "can make her feel at war with herself, like she's being pulled in two directions at once," says Fox. "This can leave a teen confused and thinking there aren't any good options."

The key is to help Charisse develop a set of tools to analyze and deal with stress and pressure in healthy ways. Fox advises teens to master these four strategies:

First, identify the cause: Tell Charisse to be "really clear about what's bothering her by putting it into words," says Fox. For example, she could try completing this sentence: "Someone wants ... but it doesn't feel right because ... "

Second, teach Charisse to step away from the situation. Take a break. Play with the cat. Go for a walk with the dog.

"Learning to relax under pressure can help calm the body while opening the mind to possible solutions," says Fox.

Third, have your daughter weigh her options. "If Charisse feels torn between someone else's expectations of her and what she wants for herself, have her write down both sides of the tug of war, being fully honest in the process," advises Fox. "Seeing the pros and cons can help her figure out what's right for her."

Fourth, show her how to take a stand. Helping Charisse articulate what she does and doesn't believe in will help her state it clearly and confidently to others. "It's important for teens to be clear on their values and where they draw the line," explains Fox. "It's not their job to please everybody, rather to make choices (online and off) that increase their own self-respect. When teens' decisions reflect who they really are, they start to feel more at peace with themselves. They get stronger against negative pressures."

Fox offers teens and their parents guidance on a range of topics and answers questions on her podcast, FamilyConfidential.com, and her advice blog, AnnieFox.com.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)