College Planning

College Funding Tips: Private Versus Federal Loans

College Funding Tips: Private Versus Federal Loans

Funding college can be difficult with tuition in the tens of thousands of dollars per year at most private institutions. There are many options for loans, but how can you know which one is right for you? Here are a few differences between private and federal loans. Private lenders are going to want to know …

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The Real Reason College Tuition Costs Continue to Escalate

The Real Reason College Tuition Costs Continue to Escalate

In the past 30 years, the average cost of tuition at public universities has increased by 213% and private schools have also more than doubled their tuition. To go to a 4-year private school with room and board, you are looking at an average of nearly $47,000 per year according to a recent article in …

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5 Ways to Boost Your Profile for Universities

5 Ways to Boost Your Profile for Universities

If you are hoping to be accepted at your favorite university, it is important to remember that schools are looking for more than just your GPA. Here are 5 ways to give yourself a competitive advantage when it comes to your student profile. Work on your writing – The essay can make or break your …

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Financial Aid Tips for Upper Middle-Class Families

Financial Aid Tips for Upper Middle-Class Families

Yes, you read that right. Just because your household income is over six figures doesn’t automatically exclude you from getting tuition assistance. However, it does make things a little tougher, so you need to start early and know the right places to look. Here are three tips for higher-income families who don’t want to take …

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3 Standardized Tests You Should Know About If You Plan on Attending a University

3 Standardized Tests You Should Know About If You Plan on Attending a University

Standardized tests are the bane of a high schooler’s existence and yet, if you plan on attending college, they can be the most important tests you will ever take. Here are a few test types you should know about. SAT – This is probably the most well-known test for high school students, and it has …

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Merit-Based Vs. Need-Based Financial Aid – Understanding the Difference

Merit-Based Vs. Need-Based Financial Aid – Understanding the Difference

If you are looking for financial aid for school, you have two main options: merit-based aid and need-based aid. Before you write yourself off as only being able to apply for one or the other, we’re going to discuss both options, the pros and cons, and why you need to apply for both types regardless …

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How to Think Like a College Admissions Officer

How to Think Like a College Admissions Officer

If you are struggling to come up with ideas for your college admissions essay, a good thing to do is to put yourself in the place of the person who will have to read it. College admissions officers have a desk full of essays to read, so knowing what they are looking for is all …

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The Best Tips for Students Seeking Financial Aid for College

The Best Tips for Students Seeking Financial Aid for College

With college tuition costs constantly on the rise, it makes sense to begin looking for financial aid as soon as possible. But you may have some questions regarding the process and whether or not it is even worth going through it based on your family’s income. Here are a few tips for students seeking financial …

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3 Things to Do the Summer Before College Starts

3 Things to Do the Summer Before College Starts

Every year, students graduate high school with the prospect of college beginning in the Fall. You should already know where you are going by the time summer arrives, but what can you do with those last few months? Here are a few suggestions for high school seniors who are thinking about how to spend their …

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4 Ways to Maximize Merit-Based Aid and Other Forms of College Funding

4 Ways to Maximize Merit-Based Aid and Other Forms of College Funding

Don’t write off need-based aid just because your family isn’t low income. Plenty of financial aid for school goes uncollected every year, so by applying for the right aid at the right time, you may have access to funds you never imagined possible. At the same time, you want to put all of your hard …

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