Budget 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

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

The Importance of Late-Stage College Savings

Between your child’s packed schedule plus the daily demands of your family’s life, it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day or enough dollars to cover today’s…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.September 14, 2025

Affording College Parenting

Teaching Your Student Financial Intelligence

Too much, and they never learn the value of a dollar. Too little, and they’re stressed instead of studying. The right number isn’t one-size-fits-all, but there is a right way…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDAugust 31, 2025

Affording College Using Your 529

The Power of the First Step: Open a 529 and Build Your Future

It sounds simple. That’s because it is. And that’s exactly why so many families wait. We wait for a raise. For the “right” account. For the moment when everything else…

David Q. Hao, MA, JDAugust 17, 2025

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

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

Senior Student Student Life

Dorm Room Shopping: Tips to Enjoy this Rite of Passage

As you embark on this adventure together, keep the following tips in mind to make the most of your experience. 1. Make a detailed list before you shop. Most schools…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.July 2, 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

Strengthen Your Student’s Growth Mindset

Parenting Student Life

The Summer Before They Leave: Five Conversations to Have

One day, you're excitedly dropping your child off at preschool for a few hours, and the next, you're on the hunt, with a heavy heart, for extra-long twin bed sheets…

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

Affording College

Preparing for the Unanticipated Costs of Freshman Year

If you’re like many families, you spent a significant amount of money this past school year on college applications and senior year events. And when thinking about the upcoming cost…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.May 31, 2025

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