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…
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…
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…
As your student considers what the college experience will look like for them, I would like to offer a letter of encouragement based on my experience. Now, as a college…
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.…
Even though repayment usually starts six months after graduation or you drop below half-time enrollment, you can choose to start repaying your loans while still in school to get a…
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…
With so many schools, it is important to understand options for financing your student’s degree. Government aid: Both federal and state governments give aid based on data provided on the…
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…
It is normal for this part of the equation to feel a bit stressful and overwhelming. I have counseled hundreds of students and families over the years to address questions:…
As you are researching where they will apply, you will likely notice the cost differences across all degree-granting institutions. Tuition and fees, books, educational materials (e.g., laptop), technology fees, and…
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,…