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…
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…
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,…
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…
Although college is one of the most important investments you can make, you need to be honest about what options work within your budget. Here are a few tips that…
When various obstacles and struggles are intertwined with this transition, student success can be negatively impacted (Shreiner, Louis, & Nelson, 2012). In an effort to be proactive rather than reactive,…
Here are a few steps you can take now to be better prepared when college decisions and financial commitments need to be made in the months ahead: 1. Take an…