Category: Financial Aid


10 ways to get colleges to show you the money

Posted on January 7th, 2014

With the cost of college reaching as much as $63,200 at the nation’s most expensive college, Sarah Lawrence, getting financial aid has become a necessity for most families and students.

There are several steps families can take to maximize their financial aid package in order to make college more affordable.

According to U.S. News Education, here’s how to get colleges to show you the money.

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8 things to remember about the FAFSA & Financial Aid

Posted on January 6th, 2014

Getting ready to go to college or have a child who is? It’s time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Many parents and students have misconceptions about what the FAFSA is and who should fill it out. Some families don’t bother because they assume they make too much money to qualify for federal aid.

But confusion about the FAFSA can cost you–you may lose out on financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and student loans.

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Which colleges meet 100% of your financial need?

Posted on December 27th, 2013

When applying to college, it’s important to be aware of which colleges will meet your family’s financial need.

Knowing which colleges are generous with need-based financial aid and scholarships can save you time and money during the college admissions process. It can help you avoid applying to colleges that don’t offer much in the way or need-based or merit aid.

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How to fill out the FAFSA

Posted on December 26th, 2013

January 1 is quickly approaching–are you ready to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

This video from the U.S. Department of Education tells you everything you need to know about preparing for and filling out the FAFSA.

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A roundup of our best financial aid posts

Posted on December 19th, 2013

Getting those last-minute applications in? Make sure you’re applying to plenty of schools that offer financial aid and scholarships.

In case you missed them, check out our best posts on finding affordable schools, finding scholarships, and paying for college.

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How 5 students are getting into college–and paying for it

Posted on December 17th, 2013

December is a stressful time for college-bound students and their parents. With the pressure to finish up scholarship and college applications, along with the impending doom of paying for it all, students and families’ anxiety can really build up.

Hechinger Report recently took a look at five students and their families to learn how they’re navigating the college admissions process, dealing with the pressure and stress of applying, and figuring out how to pay for college.

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How divorce impacts college costs & financial aid

Posted on December 4th, 2013

"Researchers found that marital status was a significant determinant of how much parents contribute toward college expenses, even after taking into account factors like parents’ income and education." -- NY Times

It might seem unfair, but researchers from Rice University in Houston and the University of Wisconsin have found that martial status plays a significant role in college costs and financial aid. Students from families of divorce pay more According to a NY Times report and a study published in the Journal of Family Issues, college costs fall more […]

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Burritos for college

Posted on December 2nd, 2013

When it comes to dealing with tasks that seem daunting or difficult, the promise of a tasty burrito at the end might just be what it takes to pull you through and get you to accomplish that annoying errand.

According to the AP, one high school is capitalizing on the widespread popularity of the Mexican chain by giving students free Chipotle gift cards for finishing their college applications early–something most students dread and put off until the last minute.

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20 Lowest Paying College Majors for 2013

Posted on October 8th, 2013

While salary shouldn’t be your only consideration when choosing a college major, it’s certainly something that you should take into account when deciding how much you can afford to invest in a college education.

If you know you’re planning on entering one of these lower-paying fields, it may not make financial sense to take out hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Just because a field has low starting salaries doesn’t mean there’s no room for growth. For example, Anthropology majors make an average of just $36,200 at the beginning of their careers, but jump to $61,400 by mid-career.

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Standardized test scores are declining. What should be done?

Posted on October 4th, 2013

Everyone dreads taking the SAT or ACT, but they’re a necessary evil in the college admissions process. Like it or not, colleges use standardized tests scores to determine whether or not a student will succeed in college–and often, to determine how much financial aid to give that student.

But if standardized test scores are an indication of college readiness, fewer students are prepared to enter college than in the past.

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