Category: Financial Aid


Using social media to figure out how to pay for college

Posted on March 27th, 2013

Social media sites aren’t just a way to scope out your new roommate or make friends before setting on a college campus. Using these sites can also be a great way to navigate complicated aspects of the financial aid process.

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How to negotiate for more financial aid

Posted on March 26th, 2013

So you’ve been accepted to your dream school. The only problem is, there’s no way you’ll be able to afford to attend based on the financial aid package you have received. Is all hope lost? Not necessarily. Can you negotiate for a better deal? While some schools refuse to negotiate financial aid packages with students, […]

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The deceptive practices of for-profit colleges

Posted on March 21st, 2013

Schools that operate for-profit have recently come under fire for deceptive recruiting practices and low educational standards. In the video above, ABC News investigates for-profit colleges accused of misleading prospective students about job prospects post-graduation.

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Is a 529 plan right for me?

Posted on March 19th, 2013

A 529 plan is an investment plan that allows families to put aside money tax-free and use it to pay for educational expenses later. It sounds like a great idea, but it’s not the right choice for every family and could actually reduce your eligibility for financial aid later. Read on to learn about the benefits, drawbacks, and things to consider before investing in a 529 plan.

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Is college worth the money?

Posted on March 18th, 2013

With all the talk about surging college student debt and student loan delinquencies, you might be wondering whether college is worth the investment at all.

Despite the dreary economic outlook and rising tuition costs, attending (and graduating from) college and professional schools pays off. The chart above shows the economic benefits and unemployment rates for various levels of educational achievement.

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How to pay for college

Posted on March 14th, 2013

Not sure how you’re going to pay for college? Here are 5 useful tips for preparing for the cost of college and minimizing your student loan debt. Tip #1: Be self-reliant. It’s a great idea to get a job during high school and start saving early to have backup funds in preparation for college expenses. Remember, […]

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Federal Student Loans vs. Private Student Loans

Posted on March 13th, 2013

Confused about the difference between federal student loans and private loans? Not sure which ones to choose to pay for college? If you need to borrow money to pay for school, it’s best to start with federal student loans, such Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans. Once […]

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Does asking for financial aid hurt your chances of getting into college?

Posted on March 11th, 2013

Many students and their families worry that applying for financial aid could hurt their chances of being admitted to colleges. Unfortunately, many schools do take financial need into account when evaluating students for admissions. According to the New York Times, most colleges and universities in the United States today are considered “need-aware.” This means they […]

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How to choose a private college counselor

Posted on March 8th, 2013

A private college counselor isn’t for everyone, but for some students, working with a consultant can help reduce stress during the college application process. Watch the video below for advice on deciding whether to work with a college consultant and how to choose the right one. Who should hire a college consultant? Students and parents […]

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Students and parents stressed out by college application process

Posted on March 7th, 2013

According to the Princeton Review’s annual survey of college-bound students’ hopes and worries for 2012, figuring out how to pay for college is one of the greatest source of both college-bound students and parents’ worries. Results are are based on responses from 10,650 people, about 70% college-bound students and 30% their parents, from all 50 states, Washington […]

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