September 18, 2018

If school was free, I’d never stop going. I happily declare that. Unfortunately, the cost of an undergraduate education is on the rise and decoding...

September 18, 2018

Listen very closely, Cappexians: scholarships can make higher education attainable. I want you to repeat that a couple dozen times to yourself while you scroll...

November 30, 2022

Most students apply for admission to ten or fewer colleges and universities. But some students want to apply to more. The problem arises when it is...

September 18, 2018

You might think you know what the FAFSA’s EFC means, but do you? When you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your income, asset...

September 18, 2018

Are you going to pay too much for an undergraduate degree? Here are danger signs that you might be heading in that direction.

Parents send...

September 18, 2018

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks whether an applicant has received a bachelor’s degree because some forms of financial aid only are...

December 9, 2022

If the price of a college degree is freaking you out, here is one of the best things you can do to save yourself a...

September 18, 2018

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is based on income and tax information from the prior-prior year federal income tax return, current asset...

September 17, 2018

You should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available October 1. The FAFSA has a 21-month application...

September 17, 2018

If you aced high school, will graduate with a stellar academic record and have top test scores, should you aim for elite schools? Plenty of high...

February 23, 2023

Small colleges and universities, or institutions with 1,000 students or less, offer students a more intimate experience. Classes are small and less likely to be...

September 17, 2018

Each year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses different colors. Ever wonder why? Read on as we reveal the secrets of the...

September 17, 2018

Many schools, especially those in smaller conferences, allow students to try out for athletic teams in a process called walking on. Walk-on tryouts demand a lot of time...

December 9, 2022

Sometimes, simple financial aid mistakes can cost you money. Sure, filling out the FAFSA and understanding your student aid report can be complicated. But we...

September 14, 2018

Just thinking about earning an undergraduate degree can be stressful. It’s also common to worry about getting into a college or university, paying for it...

September 13, 2018

Which of the following groups enjoys the greatest undergraduate admission advantage?

  1. Minority students
  2. Middle-income students
  3. Upper-class students

If you picked choice number three, then you...

September 13, 2018

Students who are single parents are much less likely to graduate than other undergraduate students. They also graduate with more student debt. Yet there are several...

September 13, 2018

When deciding which colleges and universities to apply to, it takes more than comparing each institution’s price to find the right pick. There are several...

September 13, 2018

There’s plenty to be done while you’re finishing your senior year of high school. So procrastinating the undergraduate application process can throw a wrench into...

September 12, 2018

 

During your junior year of high school, you probably are starting to think about going to a college or university. Although most of the...

September 11, 2018

 

The intricacies of being recruited as a student athlete largely depend on the sport you play. For a general overview of the process, including...

September 11, 2018

 

Understanding the world of college financial aid can be difficult. To make the process easier, here are answers to some of the most common...

February 17, 2023

Student loan debt has become a significant financial burden for many graduates, with the average borrower owing tens of thousands of dollars upon graduation. 

In...

September 11, 2018

 

Student loans are among the largest sources of consumer debt, second only to home mortgages. Therefore, mistakes involving student loans can have some of...

September 10, 2018

 

Student loan eligibility depends on the type of student loan. Federal and private student loans have different eligibility criteria. Read on for more information...

September 7, 2018

Are you going to be charged more for college tuition than you anticipated? Differential tuition, also known as tiered tuition, is a hidden college cost...

November 7, 2022

You’ve worked to apply and get accepted into college, but now you’re worrying about all the costs. Even if you’ve been given a generous financial...

September 7, 2018

Employer-Paid Tuition Assistance

Amount

$5,250

Eligible Expenses

Tuition, Fees, Course Materials

Eligible Students

No restrictions

Number of Years

Unlimited

Income Phase-outs

None

Up to $5,250...

September 6, 2018

 

A net price lock can contribute to an increase in college graduation rates and a decrease in student debt. Tuition locks, also known as...

September 6, 2018

 

About 100 U.S. colleges and universities provide need-blind admissions for U.S. students. But some colleges that offer need-blind admissions do not meet the full...

September 6, 2018

 

International students often want to know which U.S. colleges and universities charge the lowest tuition. This list of 82 low-cost, four-year U.S. colleges and...

September 6, 2018

This is the time of year when plenty of super-achieving high school seniors are agonizing about their choices. Their parents are just as frazzled as...

September 5, 2018

When you are analyzing a financial aid award letter, here is a critically important question that you absolutely must answer: is this award good enough...

September 5, 2018

 

For many borrowers, the best income-driven repayment plan is the one with the lowest monthly loan payments. But with four different options, figuring out...

September 5, 2018

 

It is important to evaluate affordability when considering which offer of admission to accept. Financial aid award letters can be confusing, so make sure...

January 6, 2023

 

Appealing a financial aid decision can result in getting thousands of dollars more for college. But many students aren't aware that you can appeal if...

September 4, 2018

 

An analysis of government data finds that high school seniors who meet with school counselors are more likely to file the Free Application for...

September 4, 2018

 

The Simplified Needs Test and Auto Zero EFC are simplified versions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that are available to...

September 4, 2018

 

Students and parents often wonder why the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) includes certain questions. But even the strangest questions are on...

September 4, 2018

Finding a scholarship isn’t always a clear-cut process. Certain roadblocks can make you think you are not eligible for awards. But don't let scholarship myths...

August 31, 2018

 

There are several ways of increasing eligibility for financial aid on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Tips About Income on the...

August 31, 2018

 

The parent contribution on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is divided by the number of children in college. The number of...

August 31, 2018

 

Social Security Numbers are prone to error, especially if a student does not have a copy of his or her Social Security card when...

August 31, 2018

 

If a student is a dependent student, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed by one of the student’s legal...

November 3, 2022

 

We hear a lot of questions about how to fill out the FAFSA. Student marital status is a less common area of confusion, but...

August 31, 2018

 

A couple in a common-law marriage is considered married on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even if the couple moves to...

August 30, 2018

 

Students who have been convicted of the sale or possession of illegal drugs while receiving federal student aid can have their eligibility for federal...

August 30, 2018

 

Undocumented students are not eligible for U.S. federal student aid, but are sometimes eligible for state and institutional financial aid. Students who are U.S. citizens or...

August 30, 2018

 

Beyond tuition, books, room and board, a student living on campus while attending a four-year public school will still spend about $3,270 on expenses...

August 30, 2018

 

Covering the cost of college means some students work when they’re on campus. Balancing classwork and a job can be tough, but it’s not impossible...

August 30, 2018

 

Borrowers can make extra payments on the student loans they took out for college. Prepayment can reduce the interest paid over the life of...

August 30, 2018

 

Federal and state government employees and members of the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for government-sponsored student loan repayment assistance programs (LRAP). This...

August 30, 2018

There is a lot of competition to win an athletic scholarship on and off the field. You can boost your chances of success, however, if...

February 6, 2023

 

Finding and using merit aid has become increasingly important for students and families looking to make college more affordable. In this article, we'll discuss...

August 29, 2018

 

The Federal Pell Grant is a form of gift aid, which is money that does not need to be earned or repaid. It is...

August 29, 2018

 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free form. You do not need to pay someone to file the form on...

August 29, 2018

 

Getting a campus job is never a bad idea, whether you are paying your own way through school or would just like a little...

August 29, 2018

 

Roth IRAs have some characteristics that may make them an attractive way of saving for college. But, using a Roth IRA to save for...

August 28, 2018

 

Student loans are confusing; repayment plans, forgiveness and deferral can spark anxiety in even the most financially-savvy grads. So let's dive right in: there...

August 28, 2018

Graduating college is a big accomplishment to be proud of, yet there's still work to be done if you used student loans. After you receive your diploma...

August 27, 2018

Most scholarships require more than just a simple application. You may be asked to complete a number of additional requirements, such as an essay, a...

August 27, 2018

 

New college graduates hear a lot about student loan discharge and cancellation and it's an appealing idea. After all, who wouldn't want permission to not...

August 27, 2018

After working hard to receive a scholarship, you definitely don't want to lose it! Some scholarships are renewable, which means that each year, upon review of certain criteria...

August 27, 2018

 

If you are entering your junior year of high school, the National Merit Scholarship is a great program to keep in mind. Any US...

August 27, 2018

There are many reasons why you should have a part-time job during high school and college. You’ll earn spending money, save a little and make great...

August 24, 2018

Our college expert Mark Kantrowitz answers your questions about college and financial aid. 

Q: Do I have to pay back the money I get from FAFSA...

August 24, 2018

With school, extracurriculars, your part-time job and sports, it’s tempting to wait until the last minute and submit your scholarship applications. But before you do, ask for...

August 24, 2018

Understanding student loans is hard, but repaying them doesn't have to be confusing. 

After a student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment, their loan will enter a...

August 24, 2018

Financial aid award letters can be cryptic and confusing. Figuring out how much each college will cost you can be challenging.

There isn’t yet an...

August 23, 2018

Understanding your financial aid award letter can be complicated, but there's no reason to avoid talking to your college's financial aid office if you need more...

August 23, 2018

Student loan scams have become much more common over the past few years. Federal and state consumer protection agencies are starting to take action against...

August 23, 2018

The difference between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans depends mainly on who pays the interest on the loans during the in-school and grace periods.

The...

August 23, 2018

We get it – student loans are confusing. Before you sign on the dotted line, review our glossary of student loan terms to make sure...

August 23, 2018

We all know college is expensive. Average student loan debt has skyrocketed in recent years - some experts put the average student's debt burden at...

November 9, 2022

 

Student and parent assets can affect the student’s chances of getting grants and other need-based financial aid. There are, however, several steps you can...

August 23, 2018

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths surrounding financial aid and the FAFSA, and we understand why. It certainly can be confusing! Unfortunately, certain...