Admissions Archives - College Countdown

Affording College Using Your 529

6 Smart Steps for Parents of Rising Juniors

This is the year when post-secondary pursuits will likely start to feel more “real” -- and a growing sense of what's next may start preoccupying minds. As such, junior year…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.August 17, 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

Parenting Senior Student

Build Your Transition Team: How to Help Your Student Flourish in College

It’s overwhelming, awkward, and much harder than anyone admits. That’s why high-level executives never go it alone when they step into a new role. They build a Transition Team—a small…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDJuly 8, 2025

Affording College

8 Ways to Help Your Student Stretch Every Dollar in College

We’re talking books, housing, mystery fees, and $7 coffees your student swears are “essential.” For low-income students, every dollar has to work overtime. But here’s the secret: with a little…

Cassandra DiBenedettoJuly 7, 2025

Affording College Junior Student Senior Student

Paying for College in California

Despite best efforts to save and utilize cash flow, many of us face a shortfall when it comes to paying the tuition bill. Fortunately, the state of California offers a…

Bright Horizons College CoachJuly 6, 2025

Affording College

4 College-Saving Tips from a Seasoned Pro

Developed from more than two decades of experience in the higher education financial aid space, these tips may make paying for college more bearable. Start Saving Early. Higher education is…

Anna PetersJuly 1, 2025

Senior Student Student Life

5 Tips to Share with Your First-Generation College Student

College is an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and make life-changing friends and memories. But since many parents of first-generation college students can’t speak from experience about thriving in college,…

ScholarShare 529June 25, 2025

College Admissions Uncategorized

Essential Advice to Help Black Students Get Into Competitive Colleges

The key is to communicate those values to admissions offices. Your student having strong grades is something to be proud of, but it’s not enough on its own to stand…

ScholarShare 529June 25, 2025

College Admissions Junior Student Senior Student

Spotlight on the California University System

CSU boasts many accolades related to quality and value and, while each of the 23 campuses is unique and compelling in its own way, they all share a common focus…

Bright Horizons College CoachJune 20, 2025

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