Tag: financial aid


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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Should you buy a private island or go to college?

Posted on November 19th, 2013

What will $179,380 buy you? Four years of tuition and mandatory fees at New York University, currently the most expensive college in the United States. But don’t expect free books, food, or housing–those are all extra (and not cheap in New York City).

Buzzfeed put together a list of 29 private islands that cost less than an NYU Degree. For the same price, you could buy your own island and hire your own professors to teach you physics in paradise.

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Who should get financial aid?

Posted on November 11th, 2013

"Student aid forms and formulas are so complicated that they practically serve as obstacles to success, and for some of the truly daunted, even barriers to access." -- Mark Kantrowitz

How should financial aid be given out? How can we make college more affordable? How can student loans be improved? The NY Times recently explored these questions and more in a Room for Debate column. Simplifying financial aid The higher education professionals involved in the discussion emphasized the need for creative solutions to pay for […]

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Costs aren’t rising at private colleges

Posted on October 28th, 2013

Despite the recent hype over rising college costs, the net price of a private college education has remained the same over the past decade, according to a new study from The College Board published in the New York Times.

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