Whether you’re just beginning to build your college list, or if you’re narrowing down some choices you’ve already made, one of the top factors...

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...

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...

Most students apply for admission to ten or fewer colleges and universities. But some students feel the need to apply for more. Perhaps they are worried...

There are many scholarships for students who had cancer and for children of parents who had cancer. There are even scholarships for students who...

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...

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...

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...

If the price of an undergraduate degree is freaking you out, here is one of the very best things that you can do to save...

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...

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when heading off to college is not tapping into the big wide world of scholarships out there...

Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other loan forgiveness programs are complicated, so there are many ways in which a borrower can lose eligibility for loan...

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

Sometimes, simple financial aid mistakes can cost you money. What you do, or don’t do, when filling out financial aid forms can cause you to...

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...

This table lists all prepaid tuition plans. 11 of the prepaid tuition plans are closed, while 13 prepaid tuition plans, including the Private College...

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

When visiting a college or university campus, you need to stay long enough to ask a lot of questions. That means that you should not...

Earnings in a 529 college savings plan can ensure that all collegiate expenses will be covered. Additionally, earnings grow federal tax-free and will not...

The Big Ten Conference is a bit of a misnomer, since it’s actually made up of 14 universities from across midwestern and eastern America. Each...

The Federal Consolidation Loan combines multiple Federal Education Loans into a single loan, simplifying the repayment process. Read on for everything you need to...

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

Even though it can take several decades to repay student loans, many students don’t know how much they borrowed. Most don’t know how much money...

Zombie student loans are old student loans that someone is demanding you pay, even though you already paid off the student loans in full...

Before applying for a student loan, consider the pros and cons of private student loans. Read below for an in-depth look at the reasons to...

The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides an exception to discharge of federal and private student loans at 11 USC 523(a)(8).

The statutory language that...

Colleges that you’ve never heard of sometimes offer the most tantalizing bargains for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Plenty of families worry whether these colleges...

The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) provides private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students and private parent loans for parents of undergraduate...

Raise Loans provides private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students. Raise loans are made by Cognition Lending Corporation, formerly known as First Marblehead...

Student Loan Finance Corporation (SLFC) provides iHELP private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students through community banks.

Highlights:

• Competitive variable interest rates with...

Connext provides private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students.

Highlights:

• Choice of fixed and variable interest rates
• No application or origination fees
• High...

College Ave provides private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students and private parent loans for parents of undergraduate students.

Highlights:

• Competitive fixed and...

There are many different types of student loans available. The main distinction is between federal education loans and non-federal education loans. Non-federal education loans...

Many lenders offer private student loans, from banks and credit unions to other financial institutions. So how do you choose a private student loan from...

Most community college students who would like to obtain a bachelor’s degree never do. Only 14% of students who start at a community college end up transferring and earning...

Every year, millions of students begin their college journey at community colleges. Did you know that 40% of undergraduate students get their start at...

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

It is cheaper to save than to borrow, but many parents do not save for their child’s college education. Even among the parents who...

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...

Up to $5,250...

If you must work during the summer, try finding a part-time job that fits your schedule and demands. Remember, when applying for a job...

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

There are many reasons why borrowers might want to reduce their student loan payments. Some of the more common reasons include saving money, dealing...

Gifts from a donor to a recipient might be subject to gift taxes, which are paid by the donor. Gifts to the donor’s spouse...

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

The scholarship search doesn’t need to stop once you begin your undergraduate studies. Scholarship money still is available to you in college. Plus, some...

Knowing how to appeal merit scholarships and need-based financial aid awards could ultimately save you thousands of dollars. Here are 10 things that you...

You will be able to apply for a visa after you have been admitted to a college or university and accepted the offer of...

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

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...

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

Tips About Income on the...

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

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

Each state has different residency requirements for a student to be eligible for state grants and in-state tuition. The state of legal residence also...

The marital status of a student and their parents can affect the granted amount of need-based financial aid. Also, be careful to correctly answer...

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...

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...

Veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces have access to the same deferment, forbearance and repayment options as other student loan borrowers, plus...

There are several options for filing a complaint about your student loans, lenders and servicers. Start by gathering information about your student loans and...

There are several options for filing a complaint about your student loans, lenders and servicers. Start by gathering information about your student loans and...

You graduated from college with student loan debt and you want to pay it off as quickly as possible. These tips will help you...

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...

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

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...

How colleges hand out money can seem perplexing, but if you understand what motivates colleges and appreciate that they are indeed businesses, you will understand...

You can’t simply declare bankruptcy and watch student loans disappear. Student loans are not automatically included in a bankruptcy proceeding. Instead, the borrower must...

If you are in default on your federal student loans and can afford to make a lump sum payment, you can settle the defaulted...

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

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

From the FAFSA to your GPA, so many factors are taken into account when applying for college or university scholarships, grants, loans and work-study...

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

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

We all know college can be costly, so that's why financial aid is so important! But since very few students get full-ride scholarships or enough...

Our admissions glossary is here to make your application and enrollment as easy as possible. Be sure to review our complete glossary as you continue...

There are multiple ways to earn a bachelor's degree and one of these options is to enroll in a community college following high school graduation. Once you’ve completed...

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...

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

Q: Exactly how does merit aid work? Do you apply for it...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...