September 2026 Insights

Welcome to your September 2026 edition of Verus Insights. This month: a fall college-planning guide for parents, a 1031 like-kind exchange course, Healthy Aging Month, an easy weeknight recipe, and the latest podcast episode with Julien Marion.

Mark your calendar — September

• September 7 — Labor Day (market and Verus office closed)
• September 11 — Patriot Day
• September 17 — Constitution Day
• September 22 — First Day of Autumn
• September — Healthy Aging Month

College Planning: What Parents Should Be Doing This Fall

For families with a student applying to college, the fall can bring a long list of deadlines, forms and financial decisions. While the application process often receives the most attention, financial planning is another important part of preparing for the year ahead.

September can be a good time to organize information, review deadlines and begin conversations about how college expenses fit into the family's overall financial picture.

Start With the College Application Timeline

College application deadlines vary by school and by application type. Some schools offer Early Action or Early Decision options, while others use Regular Decision or rolling admissions.

The Common App application for the 2026–27 application season is open, and individual colleges establish their own deadlines and requirements.

Parents and students can start by creating a simple list for each school that includes:

• Application deadline
• Early Action or Early Decision deadline, if applicable
• Regular Decision deadline
• Scholarship deadlines
• Financial-aid deadlines
• Required application materials
• Testing or other program-specific requirements

Helpful resource: Common App – College Application Resources

It is important to verify deadlines directly with each college because application and financial-aid requirements can differ.

Begin Preparing for FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, is used by the U.S. Department of Education and participating schools and states to help determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid.

The 2026–27 FAFSA is currently available for the award year running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The federal deadline for the 2026–27 FAFSA is June 30, 2027 , but waiting until the federal deadline may not be appropriate for every family. States and colleges may establish earlier deadlines, and some aid may be limited.

For families preparing for the next academic year, the 2027–28 FAFSA is expected to be available to everyone by October 1, 2026 .

Helpful resource: Federal Student Aid – FAFSA Application

Know What Information You May Need

Gathering documents before beginning the FAFSA can make the process easier.

Depending on the family's circumstances, information may include:

• Student and contributor information
• Federal tax information
• Records of income
• Records of certain assets
• Information about child support received
• Social Security numbers or other required identification information

Federal Student Aid provides a current checklist of information families may need when completing the FAFSA.

Helpful resource: Federal Student Aid – FAFSA Checklist

Families should use the official FAFSA process and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information with unofficial websites.

Check Whether the College Requires the CSS Profile

FAFSA is not the only financial-aid application some colleges may require.

Some colleges, universities and scholarship programs use the CSS Profile , administered by College Board, to collect additional information when evaluating institutional financial aid.

Not every school requires the CSS Profile, and deadlines vary by institution. College Board recommends checking the requirements and deadlines for each participating school.

Helpful resource: CSS Profile – College Board

Research Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships can be another potential source of education funding. Families can research opportunities through schools, community organizations, professional associations and other legitimate sources.

When researching scholarships, pay attention to:

• Eligibility requirements
• Application deadlines
• Required essays or recommendations
• Renewal requirements
• Whether the award is one-time or renewable
• How the scholarship is applied toward education expenses

Students should also check the scholarship information provided directly by the colleges they are considering.

It can be helpful to maintain a simple spreadsheet or calendar to keep track of opportunities and deadlines.

Look Beyond the "Sticker Price"

The published tuition price is only one component of the cost of attending college.

Depending on the school and the student's circumstances, total education expenses may include:

• Tuition and fees
• Housing
• Meals
• Books and supplies
• Transportation
• Personal expenses
• Other school-specific costs

Families may also encounter financial aid, scholarships, grants or other sources of funding that affect the amount they ultimately need to pay.

When comparing schools, consider looking at the total estimated cost of attendance and available financial-aid information , rather than focusing on tuition alone.

Review College Savings and Cash Flow

September can also be a useful time for parents to review how anticipated education expenses fit into their broader financial picture.

Questions families may want to consider include:

• How much has already been set aside for education?
• What education expenses are expected over the next several years?
• How much may need to come from current cash flow?
• Are there other children who may have education expenses in the future?
• How might education expenses fit alongside other financial priorities?

There isn't one approach that works for every family. Education funding decisions can depend on the family's circumstances, resources, goals and timeline.

A financial professional can help a family evaluate education expenses within the context of its overall financial plan.

Don't Forget the Questions to Ask the College

Before making a decision, families may want to ask each college's financial-aid office questions such as:

• What is the school's financial-aid application deadline?
• Does the school require the FAFSA?
• Does the school require the CSS Profile?
• Are there additional institutional forms?
• What scholarships or grants are available?
• Are awards renewable in future years?
• What are the requirements for maintaining an award?
• How are outside scholarships treated?
• What happens if the family's financial circumstances change?

The answers can vary from one institution to another, so obtaining information directly from each school's financial-aid office is important.

A September College Planning Checklist

Use September to get organized before application and financial-aid deadlines begin to arrive.

• Create a list of colleges and their application deadlines
• Identify Early Action, Early Decision and Regular Decision deadlines, if applicable
• Review each school's financial-aid requirements
• Check whether the school requires the FAFSA
• Check whether the school requires the CSS Profile
• Gather documents needed for financial-aid applications
• Research scholarship opportunities
• Create a calendar for application, scholarship and financial-aid deadlines
• Review anticipated college costs
• Review existing education savings
• Consider how education expenses fit into the family's broader financial plan
• Keep copies of submitted applications and financial-aid documents

Start Early, Stay Organized

College planning can involve many moving pieces, and deadlines can vary significantly between schools. Starting early can give families more time to gather information, ask questions and understand the costs associated with each option.

The goal isn't to predict every future expense. It is to have a clearer picture of the information available today and how college planning fits into the family's broader financial goals.

For current FAFSA information and federal financial-aid guidance, visit StudentAid.gov . For application information, requirements and deadlines, families should also review the websites of the individual colleges they are considering.

Important: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide individualized financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Financial-aid eligibility, college costs and application requirements vary by student, family and institution. Families should consult the appropriate college, government agency or qualified professional regarding their individual circumstances.

Helpful Resources

• Federal Student Aid – FAFSA
• Federal Student Aid – FAFSA Deadlines
• Federal Student Aid – FAFSA Checklist
• Common App
• CSS Profile – College Board

1031 Like-Kind Exchanges

Alamo Title Westchase is hosting a 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges course on Thursday, September 24, 2026 — see the flyer above for course details and RSVP information.

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Healthy Aging: Planning for the Life You Want

September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to recognize that aging is about more than a number. It can be an opportunity to continue learning, stay connected, explore new interests and think about what is important for the years ahead.

Healthy aging can involve many areas of life, including physical, social, mental and financial well-being.

Don't Forget About Financial Wellness

As life changes, financial priorities can change as well. A regular review of your financial plan can help you stay informed about where things stand and whether your current plans continue to reflect your goals.

Consider reviewing:

• Retirement income: What sources of income may be available during retirement?
• Savings and investments: Are your accounts still aligned with your goals and time horizon?
• Healthcare costs: Have you considered how healthcare expenses may fit into your overall retirement planning?
• Estate planning: Are your beneficiary designations and estate-planning documents current?
• Long-term goals: Have your priorities changed as your circumstances have changed?
• Family considerations: Are there financial responsibilities or plans involving children, grandchildren or other family members?

These are not one-time decisions. Life circumstances, priorities and financial situations can change over time, making periodic reviews an important part of staying organized.

Keep Learning and Looking Ahead

Healthy aging isn't about following one particular formula. It can mean continuing to participate in the activities, relationships and interests that are meaningful to you.

The 2026 Healthy Aging Month theme, “Curiosity Has No Age Limit,” encourages people to continue learning, exploring new interests and embracing new experiences.

That same mindset can apply to financial planning: ask questions, understand your options and revisit your plan as life changes.

Healthy aging is about looking ahead while making the most of where you are today.

A Simple September Check-In

Take a few minutes this month to ask yourself:

What has changed in my life—and does my financial plan still reflect where I want to go?

If it has been a while since you reviewed your financial plan, September can be a good time to start the conversation.

Important: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide individualized investment, financial, tax or legal advice. Individual circumstances vary. Please consult the appropriate qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.

Recipe: Easy Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings

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Prep Time: 35 minutes  ·  Total Time: 55 minutes  ·  Serving: 6  servings

Ingredients

For soup:

• 2 Tbsp.  olive oil
• 1 1/2 lb.  boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1  medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2  carrots, chopped
• 2  celery stalks, chopped
• 2  bay leaves
• 1  sprig thyme
• 1  ( 8-ounce ) package sliced mushrooms
• 3 Tbsp.  all-purpose flour
• 2  ( 32-ounce ) containers chicken stock

For dumplings:

• 1 1/2 cups  all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 1/2 tsp.  baking powder
• 1 Tbsp.  fresh thyme
• 1 tsp.  kosher salt
• 3/4 cup  buttermilk
• 1  large egg

Directions

• Make soup : Heat oil in a large Dutch or pot oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook, in batches, turning once, until brown and just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and shred with two forks; reserve pot.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and thyme sprig to reserved pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, 4 to 6 minutes. Add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are starting to soften, 2 to 4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add stock and chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer until starting to thicken slightly, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Make dumplings : Meanwhile, combine flour, baking powder, thyme, and salt in a bowl. In a measuring cup whisk together buttermilk and egg. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to combine.
• Drop 6 large mounds of mixture on top of soup. Cover and simmer until dumplings are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard bay leaves and thyme. Serve immediately. More information along with nutrition info can be found at Country Living

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Julien Marion: Dance, Business & Balance

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Julien Marion for a conversation on dance, business, and balance. Listen to the episode on Spotify.

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