Financial Aid Archives - College Countdown

Affording College Parenting

The Psychology of Money in the College Search: Rethinking What Success Really Costs

That is why every spring, families celebrate acceptance letters as if they were championship wins. It is a joyful moment, but it can also bring quiet pressure to pick the…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDOctober 12, 2025

Close-up of Benjamin Franklins eyes on the U.S.

Affording College

6 Financial Steps to Avoid When College Costs are Around the Corner

While some routes are better than others, others can have an adverse impact on your family’s financial health. Here are six financial missteps to avoid when college costs are soon…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.October 6, 2025

Affording College

How Can You Lower the Price Tag for College?

Scholarships: Scholarships are funds that you don’t have to pay back. So, apply for as many scholarships as you can. While they’re generally tax-free when used for tuition, textbooks, housing, and…

ScholarShare 529October 3, 2025

Affording College

How to Stretch College Dollars: Simple Steps That Save Thousands

You already know that the real challenge isn’t just paying the bill, it’s making each dollar stretch as far as possible. Financial aid, scholarships, and savings are finite, and the…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDOctober 1, 2025

Affording College Senior Student

3 Reasons to Fill Out the FAFSA

As the name implies, the FAFSA is completely free and gives you access to federal aid to make paying for college easier. Three reasons to fill out the FAFSA: 1.…

ScholarShare 529October 1, 2025

Affording College Junior Student Parenting

5 Reasons to Talk With Your Kid About College Financing Now

As a parent of a high school student, however, there’s no time like the present to have a candid conversation about college costs and the resources you have available to…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.September 24, 2025

Academic Success Parenting Senior Student

7 Tips for Parents of First-Generation Students from a Student Success Coach

Rather there are myriad ways students can make the most of undergraduate study based on their majors, living situations, strengths, prior experiences, use of resources, and campus involvement. Each of…

Jennifer Tharp, Ph.D.September 16, 2025

Affording College

When 529 Funds Are Not Needed As Planned

The reasons parents find themselves no longer needing to fully utilize the value of their 529 account most typically relate to the student’s receipt of a full or partial scholarship,…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.August 11, 2025

Parenting Senior Student

Essential Money Conversations Before College Drop Off Day

Before college drop-off day, make sure you’ve had an open and honest conversation about the following topics if you haven’t already. 1. The overall cost of college There’s no sense…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.August 4, 2025

Senior Student Using Your 529

Weathering the First-Year Adjustment Phase

First-year students may express specific concerns, for instance, about the quality of food or residence halls, the workload in certain classes, roommate compatibility, or just garden variety homesickness. Some students…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.August 3, 2025

Affording College Junior Student Senior Student

What Can Get in the Way of Your Student’s Financial Aid?

While your student should be enthusiastic, feeding off this contagious vibrancy as they prepare to embark on a new academic year, it may be that this momentum of beginning or…

Richie Gebauer, Ed.D.August 2, 2025

Affording College

Insider Tips for Parents Navigating Financial Aid

1. Start your scholarship search early. The best time to search for scholarships is during your child's junior and senior high school years. Most scholarship deadlines fall between January and…

Anna PetersJuly 22, 2025

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