Edmit Blog

October 05, 2020

Factors to Consider When Evaluating a College's Career Services Center

A guest post from Barbary Van Dyk, Senior Advising Specialist at Bright Horizons/EdAssist

August 31, 2020 choosing a college college search online learning remote learning

3 Popular Types of Remote Learning Options

A guest post from Emily Brangwynne, Director of Development and Communications at Duet. As fall quickly approaches, co...

August 25, 2020

What Your EFC Is — and Why It Matters

As you enter college, you know you’ll learn a lot — but you might not expect the crash-course in finances that many stud...

August 17, 2020 Salary and Career* degree programs college majors choosing a major

4 Resources to Compare College Majors — and What to Consider Before You Choose

You’ve selected your top college choices, applied, and are now enrolled — but your decisions aren’t all made yet. You st...

August 10, 2020

How to Apply for a Private Student Loan in 5 Steps

If federal student loans aren’t enough to cover your college expenses, applying for private student loans may be your ne...

August 10, 2020

6 Key Details to Compare As You Shop for Private Loans

When it comes to private student loans, there’s a lot to track. You need to be aware of your debt’s interest rates, fees...

August 03, 2020 Student Loans* federal student loans private student loans student loan debt

How Do Federal Loans and Private Loans Compare?

Though federal and private student loans work similarly and fund the same thing — your college education — they differ i...

July 27, 2020 Student Loans* federal student loans repayment plans

7 Flexible Repayment Plans for Federal Student Loans

For most borrowers, it’s commonly advised to max out your federal student loans before turning to private debt to pay fo...

July 21, 2020 Student Loans* paying for college private student loans student loan debt repayment plans

How long does it take to pay off student loans?

After graduation day has come and gone, you’ve probably forgotten the details of those student loans you took out as a f...

July 08, 2020 Student Loans* federal student loans subsidized loans unsubsidized loans

What's the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized Federal loans?

For most Americans headed to college, taking out a loan to pay for college is a necessity. But once you get into the wee...

June 18, 2020 Student Loans* federal student loans private student loans budgeting for college student loan debt

How to Decide How Much Money to Borrow In Student Loans

You’ve experienced the joy of deciding which college you’ll be attending in the Fall, and now it’s time to determine how...

May 08, 2020 Cost of College* college viability coronavirus college financial health distance learning

The Coronavirus Impact on College Financial Health

Higher education has been one of the most severely impacted sectors by the coronavirus. College-bound students and their...

April 30, 2020 college tuition Cost of College* tuition increases coronavirus online tuition distance learning

Is online tuition less than in-person tuition?

One of the biggest education stories this spring was how many students - of all ages - have transitioned to virtual onli...

April 28, 2020 choosing a college college search coronavirus college financial health

Researching Colleges: COVID-19 Edition

The higher education landscape is changing, fast. There are stories every day of how colleges are responding differently...

April 21, 2020 Cost of College* paying for college choosing a college college transfers coronavirus community college

How to Decide If a Community College Is Right for You

Nearly 7 million students were enrolled in two-year (community) colleges in 2018 - representing about 41% of all undergr...

April 09, 2020 college financial planning gap year coronavirus

Is it a good idea to take a gap year during the coronavirus?

With the coronavirus continuing to keep us home and keep schools and campuses closed, high school seniors and their fami...

March 18, 2020 college visits

Making College Decisions When A Visit Is Not An Option

College campuses are closed. What can high school juniors and seniors faced with college decisions do?Here is one tip to...

February 18, 2020 edmit team financial literacy financial wellness

SoFi and Edmit Partner to Help Next Generation of College Students Get Their Money Right

When we started Edmit in 2017, our mission was to empower families as they approached the decision of where to go to col...

February 05, 2020 Salary and Career* choosing a major student loan debt

Should you care what income your major earns?

The most heartbreaking email I ever received was a master’s graduate who had $250,000 in student loan debt between herse...

January 28, 2020 Financial Aid and Scholarships* college costs net price financial aid award net price calculators

Government Regulations that Help Families Shop Smarter for Colleges

The spring is “decision season”: the time when college-bound high school seniors learn whether they’ve been accepted to ...

January 17, 2020 Cost of College* college transfers college credits

Transferring Colleges: Everything You Need to Know

January 15, 2020 Cost of College* private universities public universities for-profit universities non-profit universities

What's the difference between a for-profit and a non-profit university?

January 09, 2020 Financial Aid and Scholarships* need-aware colleges need-blind colleges lists

Colleges and Universities That Are Need Blind

“Need blind” and “need aware” are different financial aid admissions policies. The terms refer to whether the college co...

January 09, 2020 Salary and Career* graduate school medical school

How to Choose an Undergraduate College when Grad School is on the Horizon

Has your child known since they were five years old that they want to be a doctor? Have late-night courtroom dramas conv...

November 18, 2019 edmit team paying for college

Better Off After College: Q&A with the Authors of Edmit's Book

About the Book Better Off After College is a step-by-step guide for families who want to enjoy all of the benefits of a ...

November 01, 2019 Cost of College* college costs expected family contribution

[Better Off Book Preview] How to Estimate Your Costs for Schools You are Interested In

We’re continuing to share previews of our upcoming book, Better Off After College. From Chapter Three, "Junior Year: Ref...

October 25, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid merit-based financial aid need-based financial aid

[Better Off Book Preview] “Need-Based” vs. “Merit-Based” Financial Aid

We’re continuing to share previews of our upcoming book, Better Off After College. From Chapter Two, "Early High School:...

October 18, 2019 Saving for College* 529 plan retirement savings saving

[Better Off Book Preview] Saving For College or Saving for Retirement

We’re continuing to share previews of our upcoming book, Better Off After College. From Chapter One, "Pre-High School: P...

October 16, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid college visits

How to get help from the financial aid office

One thing I hear over and over again from college financial aid directors is they can’t help students researching school...

October 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* merit scholarships FAFSA early decision

When Should You Apply for Financial Aid?

October 11, 2019 Salary and Career* choosing a major career

What Are Career Clusters Interest Surveys?

Career exploration starts the moment you buy your child a career-specific toy such as a toy stethoscope. Then, it contin...

October 09, 2019

Seven Questions Seniors Should Ask Their High School Counselors

Senior year isn’t too late for choosing a college, finding career direction, or choosing a major. It’s the perfect time ...

October 03, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* FAFSA state aid

How to Avoid Costly FAFSA Mistakes

Filling out the FAFSA, the federal form for requesting financial aid, is one of the single most important things your fa...

September 13, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* standardized testing merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

Should I submit my scores if the school is test optional?

Last year, 41 colleges and universities joined the test-optional movement, no longer requiring applicants to submit the ...

September 02, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* college applications private scholarships applying to college

How Students Write Successful Essay for College Admissions and Scholarships

Writing a successful essay for scholarships and college admissions isn’t up to luck. It’s a combination of good research...

August 29, 2019 Cost of College* SAT standardized testing ACT

SAT or ACT Test Prep on a Budget

My heart breaks a bit more every time I see a story or parent comment about not having the same privileges rich families...

August 27, 2019 Salary and Career* private universities public universities college spending

Are Public Universities a Better Deal Than Private Universities?

If you keep up with our blog, you should already be familiar with the difference between a public and private university...

August 21, 2019 Saving for College* paying for college 529 plan college savings plan

Strategies for Withdrawing Money from Your 529

After all that time saving in a 529 college savings plan for your student’s college education, it’s time to finally spen...

August 19, 2019 Cost of College* living expenses dorms

5 Tips for Financially Savvy Dorm Shopping

According to a recent HGTV survey, nearly a quarter of college families plan to spend over $500 on dorm decorations.

August 16, 2019 Salary and Career* career

5 Courses High Schoolers Should Take to Narrow Down Career Choices

Whether your high school offers career specific courses for your student or not, there are a variety of courses that can...

August 14, 2019 Salary and Career* liberal arts degree career

What jobs do liberal arts majors get?

A liberal arts education prepares students for a wide range of occupations rather than for one specific career path. How...

August 12, 2019 Cost of College* paying for college expected family contribution FAFSA

What Percentage of Parents Pay for College in 2019?

No one is alone in the struggle with figuring out how to cover college costs. Every year, Sallie Mae puts out a survey o...

August 08, 2019 Student Loans* loan repayment income repayment plans

How Income-Driven Repayment Plans Work

Student loan payments based on income seem like the answer for students worried about taking on too much student loan de...

August 06, 2019 Cost of College* paying for college credit score

How Your Student Can Responsibly Build Credit

For decades, one of the scariest thoughts for parents has been their students getting credit cards before they can repay...

July 30, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid school-based scholarships

How to Keep Your Financial Aid Past Freshman Year

Financial aid award letters often detail financial aid you’ll receive your first year of school, but they can neglect to...

July 26, 2019 Cost of College* budget college visits

5 Tips for Budgeting for College Tours

When deciding what college your student is going to apply for, it can be important to see them first. But it gets expens...

July 25, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships free tuition

States With Free Tuition Programs

Earlier this month, we posted a blog on countries with free college tuition. But there’s something we didn’t mention in ...

July 23, 2019 Cost of College* college search college visits

Financial Questions to Ask on a College Visit

While we often recommend checking out a college campus during the school year to get a real feel for the vibe on campus ...

July 16, 2019 Cost of College* tuition insurance

What is College Tuition Insurance?

For most high school seniors and their parents, the costs of college tuition become more and more real every day. Whethe...

July 15, 2019 Salary and Career* work-study choosing a college career college search

5 On Campus Offices Your Child Should Visit on any College Tour

College tours often skip important offices: student money management, career services and academic department offices.

July 11, 2019 Student Loans* private student loans parent PLUS loan

Comparing Private Student Loan Options

Choosing among private student loans involves a variety of factors: getting the lowest interest rates, whether you want ...

July 10, 2019 Cost of College* tuition payment plans in-state tuition out-of-state tuition

How to Actually Pay Your Tuition Bill

The process of paying tuition bills seems fairly simple. However, depending on what method you use, you may pay fees or ...

July 05, 2019 Salary and Career* internships

Last Minute Summer Career Exploration Activities

Summer is a great time for short career exploration activities that can boost your career knowledge and help you choose ...

July 03, 2019 Cost of College* paying for college

Are parents legally obligated to pay for their child's college?

Parents do not have a legal duty to pay for their child’s college—with one exception.

July 01, 2019 Student Loans* loan forgiveness

How Public Service Loan Forgiveness Affects Future Borrowing

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a program by the federal government where after 10 years of on-time payments w...

June 22, 2019 Student Loans* private student loans credit score

4 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score, Fast

When you’re applying for private student loans in the next few weeks, there are several ways you can boost your credit s...

June 21, 2019 Salary and Career* paying for college work-study internships

Should I participate in a work-study program or get a part-time job?

If you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may be eligible to participate in the Federal ...

June 14, 2019 Saving for College* 529 plan retirement savings

Saving for Your Retirement vs. Saving for Your Child’s Higher Education: How a Financial Advisor Views the Choice

The choice between applying savings to retirement versus to a child’s higher education (usually through a 529) is a comm...

June 12, 2019 Cost of College* free tuition international students

10 European countries with free or virtually free college tuition

Contrary to what you might expect, studying abroad can actually save you money.

June 05, 2019 Cost of College* off-campus housing health insurance options meal plans

Are college students eligible for government benefits programs?

As the cost of college continues to rise, a considerable number of college students are being classified as food- or hou...

June 04, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* FAFSA

How are assets treated on the FAFSA?

When you’re filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may think that you and your family’s i...

June 03, 2019 Student Loans* federal student loans private student loans student loan debt

What is the average student loan debt? (Updated for 2020)

You’ve probably seen the reports and articles about the student loan debt crisis in America. 43 million people of all ag...

May 31, 2019 Salary and Career* work-study internships

What Jobs Are Available During College?

As a student, you may be responsible for all or the majority of the cost of attending college, or maybe you just need so...

May 29, 2019 Cost of College* budgeting for college meal plans

How To Choose the Right Meal Plan for Your Budget

Once you are accepted to college, it’s time to make some other logistical choices. Many students don’t even consider cho...

May 21, 2019 Saving for College* MEFA Inversant

How to Save for College in Massachusetts: Speaking with MEFA and Inversant

There does not appear to be any indication that college tuition and living expenses will decrease in the immediate futur...

May 15, 2019 Cost of College* budgeting for college budget

Moving to College on a Budget: 5 Things You Can Do Right Now

As you tear open your acceptance letter, you feel a sigh of relief come over you. You are in! You look at your paperwork...

May 13, 2019 Student Loans* private student loans

What should I know before cosigning a student loan?

Sometimes federal student loans issued to students aren’t enough to pay for college after scholarships, savings, parent ...

May 10, 2019 Student Loans* paying for college federal financial aid parent PLUS loan

What Happens if I'm Denied for a Parent PLUS Loan?

If you apply for a Parent PLUS Loan and are denied, you may be wondering what your alternatives are for financing your c...

May 10, 2019 Student Loans* private universities financial aid student loan assistance

Colleges that Offer the Most Student Loan Assistance

Most every college and university in the United States provides need-based financial aid to students. However, need-bas...

May 10, 2019 Student Loans* federal student loans private student loans loan forgiveness taxes

How will Student Loans Impact My Taxes?

If you have student loans, then you may be wondering how they will affect you at tax time. The good news is that you ca...

May 10, 2019 Cost of College* budgeting for college college deposit student bank accounts

8 Essential To-Do’s After Accepting a College Admissions Offer

You are finally able to take a breath. Endless college essays, test scores, recommendations, and scholarship application...

May 01, 2019 grants and scholarships Cost of College* financial aid taxes

How will financial aid impact my taxes?

Scholarships, grants, and fellowships (which fall under “gift aid”) are often described as “free money” since they don’t...

April 23, 2019 Cost of College* financial literacy

How the University of North Texas (UNT) helps students succeed financially

Understanding basic money management skills like living within a budget and understanding credit and debt is very impor...

April 19, 2019 Salary and Career*

What should you do in college to maximize your success after graduation?

You might have heard the phrase before: “it’s not where you go, it’s what you do when you’re there.” While we should be ...

April 15, 2019

Introducing: Edmit Badges

Here at Edmit, we are dedicated to helping families make smarter financial decisions about one of the largest purchases ...

April 12, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid appeal financial aid award paying for college

How Often are Financial Aid Appeals Approved?

Every colleges is a bit different when it comes to financial aid appeals. Some are very systematic and formulaic, while ...

April 12, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* federal student loans financial aid merit-based financial aid FAFSA

Should I Submit FAFSA Even if I'm Not Applying for Financial Aid?

No one likes filling out the FAFSA - and you may be tempted to bypass this part of the college process if you think your...

April 08, 2019

What’s the Difference Between a College and a University?

In the U.S., many people use the terms “college” and “university” interchangeably. Here’s how a college is different fro...

April 08, 2019 Salary and Career* income college majors career

Which College Majors Make the Most Money? The Answer May Surprise You

Which college majors pay the most? Researcher Hannah Kwak looks into the top college majors in demand offering high ear...

April 08, 2019 college tuition Cost of College* college costs cost of attendance taxes

Can Grandparents Deduct College Tuition?

If grandparents will be helping with college tuition, there may be gift tax implications.

April 08, 2019 college tuition Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial need need-aware colleges need-blind colleges

Need Blind vs Need Aware Colleges

When it comes to financial aid, need blind colleges and need aware colleges approach admissions differently. Find out wh...

April 08, 2019 Student Loans* paying for college federal student loans private student loans

How Much Student Loan Debt is Too Much?

Here at Edmit, we are hearing from both parents and students that they are afraid student loan debt will harm their futu...

April 08, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships financial aid esports

Can I Get a Scholarship for Video Games?

Talented e-jocks (aka competitive video gamers) may be eligible for university financial aid.

April 03, 2019

Top Four College Tax Breaks: Do You Qualify?

If you’re a parent paying for college, I bet you feel like you could sure use a break. Well, you’re in luck. You might q...

March 29, 2019 college applications Cost of College* application fees application fee waivers

How Can I Apply to College for Free?

If you’re a student getting ready to apply for college, you might experience some shock when it comes time to pay for th...

March 29, 2019 Student Loans* western colleges cost of attendance financial aid student loan assistance

Western Colleges that Offer the Most Student Loan Assistance

Most every college and university in the United States provides need-based financial aid to students. However, need-bas...

March 29, 2019 Student Loans* southern colleges financial aid student loan assistance

Colleges that Offer the Least Student Loan Assistance

Most every college and university in the United States provides need-based financial aid to students. However, need-bas...

March 29, 2019 Student Loans* southern colleges financial aid student loan assistance

Southern Colleges that Offer the Most Student Loan Assistance

Most every college and university in the United States provides need-based financial aid to students. However, need-bas...

March 29, 2019 Student Loans* public universities financial aid student loan assistance

U.S. Public Colleges that Offer the Most Student Loan Assistance

Most every college and university in the United States provides need-based financial aid to students. However, need-bas...

March 29, 2019 Student Loans* cost of attendance financial aid student loan assistance

U.S. Colleges that Offer the Most Student Loan Assistance

Most every college and university in the United States provides need-based financial aid to students. However, need-bas...

March 28, 2019 college financial planning college applications Cost of College* application fees southern colleges

Colleges That Cost More Than $60 To Apply To

So why is there a fee to just apply to college? An application fee is the cost that a school charges to review your appl...

March 28, 2019 financial aid appeal college applications Cost of College* application fees midwestern colleges

Colleges That Cost Less Than $35 To Apply To

March 28, 2019 college financial planning college applications Cost of College* application fees midwestern colleges new england colleges

Colleges With No Application Fees

Before even deciding which college you ultimately want to attend, you have to apply to get in.

March 28, 2019 college applications Cost of College* application fees budgeting for college application fee waivers

How Much Should I Budget for College Application Fees?

If your child is about to be college age, it’s likely you’ve been thinking about how to pay and budget for college.

March 28, 2019 college tuition grants and scholarships Cost of College* paying for college federal student loans private student loans

How Can I Pay for College with Bad Credit?

If you are a parent of a soon-to-be college aged student, and you have bad credit, you might be worried that it will aff...

March 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* cost of attendance financial aid financial need percent need met

What is “Percent Need Met” in Financial Aid?

The price of attending a college or university is substantial, especially if you have to pay for school in full - meanin...

March 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* paying for college FAFSA taxes

Do I Have to Wait Until Our Tax Return is Out to File FAFSA?

You may already know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, can be key to helping y...

March 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Schools that Cover Most of Your Financial Need

College is an expensive adventure. The good news is that there are a lot of schools that aim to cover your financial nee...

March 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* edmit team

Meet Your New Best Friend: Your Financial Aid Office

We often hear from families that they are confused about what the financial office actually does, and how to work with i...

March 13, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships western colleges financial aid award merit-based financial aid

Which Colleges in the West Award Merit-Based Financial Aid to the Most Students?

If you are applying to colleges in the West, then you may be wondering which colleges and universities in the region awa...

March 13, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships private universities financial aid award merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

Colleges That Award Merit Scholarships to the Most Students

Learn which colleges award merit scholarships to the most students by public and private status and by location.

March 13, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships paying for college merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

Which Colleges Award Merit-Based Scholarships to the Most Students?

If you are applying to college, then you may be wondering which colleges award merit-based scholarships to the most stud...

March 13, 2019 Salary and Career* degree programs college majors choosing a major

What is the Difference Between College Degrees?

Welcome to the world of higher education! There are so many options and so much terminology in this place, where do you ...

March 11, 2019 edmit team

Edmit Wins Startup Competition at SXSWEDU

We're thrilled to announce that we won the best startup award at SXSW EDU last week in Austin!

March 07, 2019 Saving for College* paying for college 529 plan taxes

Are there Estate Tax Benefits for 529 Plans?

If you are considering establishing a 529 college savings plan to finance a child’s higher education, then you may be wo...

March 07, 2019 Saving for College* paying for college 529 plan

Can I Have 529 Plans from Multiple States?

If you are evaluating 529 college savings plans to save money for a child’s higher education, then you may be wondering ...

March 07, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* expected family contribution FAFSA income

How is Income Treated on the FAFSA?

If you are applying for financial aid to pay for a college education, then you may be wondering how your family’s income...

March 07, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid award paying for college financial aid FAFSA

How Would Capital Gains Impact My Financial Aid?

If you are considering selling financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, to pay for a college education,...

March 07, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

How Indiana University's MoneySmarts Program Helps Students Reduce Debt

February 25, 2019 financial aid appeal

8 Winning Strategies for Negotiating Your Merit Scholarship

The following post is written by Shannon Vasconcelos, Director of College Finance, College Coach.

February 22, 2019 Saving for College* college savings plan UGMA

What is an UGMA Account?

You may have heard the acronym “UGMA” in reference to saving for a child’s college education, but what does it mean? Mo...

February 22, 2019 Saving for College* paying for college college savings plan UTMA

What is an UTMA?

You may have heard the acronym “UTMA” in reference to saving for a child’s college education, but what does it mean? Mo...

February 22, 2019 Salary and Career* income college majors choosing a major

What are the Lowest-Paying College Majors?

Among the many factors which can determine the value of your college degree, such as job satisfaction or personal aptitu...

February 22, 2019 Saving for College* paying for college education savings accounts education expenses

What is a Coverdell ESA?

If you want to save money for a child’s college education, then you may be wondering about Coverdell Education Savings A...

February 21, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

What is a Research University?

With the incredible pool of colleges and universities available around the world, it can be daunting to even begin your ...

February 19, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid award affordable college expected family contribution financial need

Why Would I Attend a School that Doesn’t Cover 100% of My Financial Need?

There are so many colleges in the United States and around the world all with their own unique qualities. For each futur...

February 18, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid financial need full ride scholarship

What’s the Difference Between Getting 100% of Financial Need Covered and Getting a “Full Ride”?

Parents and students alike are looking to make college more affordable. There are a variety of ways that schools and sch...

February 18, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* cost of attendance financial aid expected family contribution financial need

What Does Demonstrated Financial Need Mean?

When applying for college or university, the first thing any student and family should do is complete the FAFSAⓇ. The FA...

February 18, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships federal student loans cost of attendance expected family contribution financial need

What Does it Mean When a School Covers 100% of Need?

Going to college is expensive - or at least it can be. To combat this, there are some schools that claim to cover 100% o...

February 18, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* paying for college financial aid financial need

Schools that Cover 100% of Your Financial Need (2020 Update)

We have great news! There are a lot of schools across the United States that cover 100% of student financial need.

February 18, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships paying for college merit scholarships

What Can I Spend My Merit Award On?

If you have received a merit scholarship, first of all: congratulations! Now you may be wondering what exactly you can ...

February 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* paying for college federal student loans financial aid grants title IV schools

What is a Title IV School?

Title IV: You might have seen this term around during your college research. Whether or not your school of choice is a T...

February 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* public universities paying for college tuition discount

Colleges & Universities that Offer the Largest Tuition Discounts to Low-Income Families

If you are interested in attending a public or private college or university, then you may be wondering which private in...

February 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid award paying for college cost of attendance financial aid merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

Do Merit Awards Affect My Financial Aid?

If you are applying to colleges, then you may be wondering if receiving a merit scholarship affects your financial aid. ...

February 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships paying for college cost of attendance expected family contribution merit scholarships

How Many Merit Scholarships Can I Get?

If you are applying for merit scholarships, then you may be wondering if there is a limit on how many merit scholarships...

February 15, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships financial aid taxes

Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My Financial Aid?

If you receive financial aid to pay for your - or your child’s - college education, then you may be wondering if you nee...

January 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid FAFSA CSS profile

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Financial Aid?

Deciding how to finance your education can be a daunting task. You’ve done the hard part - you’ve earned the grades, you...

January 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* room and board college expenses financial aid

Does Financial Aid Cover Room And Board?

When researching the cost of college, most people focus on tuition rates. However, the total cost of college is based on...

January 28, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing

10 States With Least Expensive Room And Board

At some universities, living in the college dorms is not only part of the university experience, but it’s also mandatory...

January 28, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing

10 States With The Most Expensive Room And Board

If you’re thinking about going to college out-of-state or attending a college that requires students to live on-campus, ...

January 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

How Can I Apply for Merit Scholarships? (What Merit Scholarships Can I Apply For?)

If you are applying for college financial aid, then you may be wondering how you can apply for merit scholarships, and w...

January 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships financial aid merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

How do I Qualify for a Merit Scholarship?

Did you know that some colleges award merit scholarships to more than 90 percent of students? And that some schools all...

January 28, 2019 college financial planning grants and scholarships Cost of College* room and board college costs college expenses affordable college

Colleges With Free Room And Board

When researching colleges, it’s equally important to look at rates for tuition and room and board. The average cost of r...

January 28, 2019 grants and scholarships Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing private student loans financial aid

How To Pay For Room And Board In College

Many students find that their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is much higher than anticipated, and they are left with...

January 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* paying for college merit-based financial aid merit scholarships

What is a Merit Scholarship?

If you are applying to college, then you may have heard something about merit scholarships. But what are they, exactly? ...

January 28, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships merit-based financial aid need-based financial aid

What’s the Difference Between Merit-Based and Need-Based Financial Aid?

If you are applying for college financial aid, then you may be wondering what the differences are between merit-based an...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for University of Alabama

The University of Alabama Office of Financial Aid has financial aid advisors available as well as a staffed computer lab...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Temple University

Temple University encourages its students to apply early for optimum financial aid consideration. This includes not only...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Emory University

Emory University’s Financial Aid Office links to several resources that will help you pay for your college career at Emo...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for SUNY at Binghamton

SUNY Binghamton provides financial aid packages to its students based on both merit and need. Financial need is determin...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for San Diego State University

San Diego State University provides financial aid to students to help pay for their education. Financial aid packages ar...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Fordham University

Fordham University provides many resources to help students navigate how they will pay for school. There is the Costs an...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University provides comprehensive financial aid packages to its incoming and continuing students. In order to ...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Rutgers University

Rutgers University’s Office of Financial Aid provides need-based financial aid packages to its students. These packages ...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University provides students with personalized admissions counselors to help navigate the admissions and fin...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers many different ways to help students pay for their education. Students...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Michigan State University

Michigan State University provides several ways to help students pay for their education. Need-based aid is provided to ...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for George Washington University

George Washington University works to help students navigate paying for their education. At GWU, students benefit from t...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Florida State University

Paying for Florida State University is easier with access to a wide variety of resources and programs. The FSU Admission...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University prospective students wishing to receive need-based aid must begin by filling out the FAFSA f...

January 23, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Endicott College

Endicott College requires students to complete the FAFSA as well as Endicott’s own financial aid application in order to...

January 22, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Drake University

Drake University Office of Student Financial Planning will help new, prospective, and continuing students navigate their...

January 22, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Colorado State University

Colorado State University provides merit and need-based aid to its incoming students. Students wishing to be considered ...

January 22, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing public universities

5 Public Universities with Affordable Room and Board

According to the 2018 College Board Trends in College Pricing report, the average cost of room and board at four-year pu...

January 22, 2019 Cost of College* room and board off-campus housing financial aid award paying for college

Do You Have to Pay Room and Board If You Live at Home?

Do You Have to Pay Room and Board if You Live at Home?

January 22, 2019 Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing paying for college cost of attendance living expenses

How Does Room and Board Affect the Cost of Attendance?

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of all allowable costs (see more on allowable cost below) for the period of ...

January 21, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing private universities

5 Private Colleges with Affordable Room and Board

According to the College Board's annual Trends in College Prices study, the average room and board cost for private coll...

January 16, 2019 Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing cost of attendance 529 plan

Can a 529 Plan Be Used to Pay for Room and Board?

What is a 529 Plan?

January 16, 2019 Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing off-campus housing cost of attendance living expenses

5 Things to Consider If You Plan to Live Off-Campus

Living off-campus has many perks including more space, privacy, and freedom than most on-campus dorms. However, not all ...

January 16, 2019 Student Loans* federal student loans FAFSA parent PLUS loan

Can More than One Parent Borrow a PLUS Loan for the Same Year?

If you are considering obtaining a Parent PLUS Loan to finance your child’s college education, then you may be wondering...

January 16, 2019 Student Loans* paying for college taxes parent PLUS loan

Can Parent PLUS Loans be Written Off on Your Taxes?

If you borrowed money in the form of a Parent PLUS Loan to finance your child’s college education, then you may be wonde...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Purdue University (Main Campus)

Purdue University offers many ways to help students pay for their education at the University. Students are encouraged t...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for The College of the Holy Cross

The College of the Holy Cross provides an assortment of ways to help students pay for their tuition and fees and related...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Ohio State University (Main Campus)

Ohio State University offers its admitted undergraduate students with its Tuition Guarantee which promises to keep tuiti...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Northwestern University

Northwestern University offers need-based financial aid to its incoming students. Although they recognize other outside ...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for James Madison University

James Madison University provides several resources and programs to help its prospective and returning students pay for ...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Iowa State University

Iowa State University provides financial aid to its students and families to help pay for their education. Students can ...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Indiana University

Indiana University urges students to apply for financial aid early by submitting a FAFSA along with full application, in...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology awards financial aid packages to its students on a need and merit-based basis. First-yea...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Lafayette College

Lafayette College explains that as long as students meet all of the deadlines, if they are accepted to the school, Lafay...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Drexel University

Drexel University provides merit and need-based assistance to its students along with other types of financial assistanc...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* public universities paying for college tuition discount

Colleges & Universities that Offer the Largest Tuition Discounts to Middle-Income Families

If you are interested in attending a public college or university, then you may be wondering which public institutions t...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* private universities paying for college tuition discount

Which Private Colleges Offer the Largest Tuition Discounts to Middle-Income Families?

If you are interested in attending a private college or university, then you may be wondering which private institutions...

January 14, 2019 Cost of College* college expenses off-campus housing paying for college living expenses

What Is Off-Campus Room And Board?

For students living off campus it’s easy to spend more than you would if you live on campus. When living on campus, room...

January 14, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing

Colleges with the Least Expensive Room and Board Fees

For most colleges, room and board is among the most significant expenses. However, on this list, you’ll find the lowest ...

January 14, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing

Colleges with the Most Expensive Room and Board Fees

Aside from tuition, room and board is the most significant expense at most colleges. At institutions with the highest ro...

January 14, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* on-campus housing off-campus housing paying for college financial aid

Do You Get More Financial Aid If You Live Off-Campus?

Students live off campus for a variety of reasons, and it’s not always a personal choice. In fact, some universities don...

January 14, 2019 Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing cost by region cost by state

How Much Will Room & Board Cost Where I Live?

Aside from tuition, room and board is the most costly expense you’ll have in college. In addition to university fees, a ...

January 14, 2019 Cost of College* on-campus housing off-campus housing cost of attendance living expenses

Should I Live On-Campus or Off-Campus?

For most college freshmen, the decision about where to live is relatively easy. Most campuses require first-year student...

January 14, 2019 Cost of College* private universities public universities cost of attendance degree programs

What’s the Difference Between a Public and Private University?

If you are applying to colleges, then you may be wondering what the differences are between public and private instituti...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Miami University-Oxford

Miami University-Oxford stands behind its Tuition Promise that states that their tuition and fees will remain the same f...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Marist College

Marist College requires students to fill out the FAFSA in order to be considered for need-based aid. Once this form is f...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Lehigh University

Lehigh University helps incoming students pay for their education in a variety of ways. While the Admissions Office offe...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University Financial Aid Department provides financial aid to its students based on a need-blind process, ...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College will meet the full financial need of all accepted applicants. In fact, “At Dartmouth, free tuition is ...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships*

Paying for College of William and Mary

William and Mary’s Financial Aid Office offers Financial Aid Guides for students and parents and a Frequently Asked Ques...

January 10, 2019 college tuition Cost of College* private universities prepaid tuition plans tuition guarantee

Private Colleges that Offer a Prepaid Tuition Plan or Tuition Guarantee

If you are considering attending a private college or university, then you may be wondering which private schools allow ...

January 10, 2019 college financial planning Cost of College* tuition guarantee paying for college

Which Colleges Offer Tuition Guarantees?

If you are applying to college, then you may be wondering which schools offer tuition guarantees. If you want an assure...

January 10, 2019 college tuition Cost of College* prepaid tuition plans paying for college

Which Colleges Offer Prepaid Tuition Plans?

If you are applying to college, then you may be wondering which schools allow students to pay tuition via a prepaid tuit...

January 10, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* paying for college expected family contribution FAFSA

How Does Household Income Correlate to EFC?

For families applying to college, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a critical metric in determining eligibility...

January 10, 2019 college tuition Cost of College* prepaid tuition plans tuition payment plans

What is a Prepaid Tuition Plan?

A prepaid tuition plan allows a student to pay the same tuition rate for every year that he or she attends college. Unl...

January 10, 2019 college tuition Cost of College* tuition guarantee paying for college

What is a Tuition Guarantee?

Colleges that offer tuition guarantees allow students to pay the same tuition rate for every year that they attend colle...

January 09, 2019 Cost of College* room and board on-campus housing college costs cost of attendance living expenses

How Much Does Room and Board Cost for College?

It’s time to apply to college. Chances are, like most future undergraduate students, you plan to apply to multiple schoo...

January 07, 2019 Saving for College* 529 plan taxes education expenses

Can I Use My 529 Plan for K-12 Expenses?

If you’re a parent saving for college, you may be using a 529 college savings plan. These plans, also known as Qualified...

January 07, 2019 Cost of College* paying for college home equity loan line of credit

Should I Consider a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit to Pay for College?

If you own your home, then you may be wondering if the equity in your home can (or should) be leveraged to pay for colle...

January 07, 2019 Saving for College* paying for college 529 plan college savings plan

To Whom Can I Transfer the Money in a 529 Plan?

A 529 plan, which includes both 529 college savings plans and 529 prepaid plans, allow individuals to contribute money t...

January 07, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* grants and scholarships financial aid award federal student loans financial aid institutional aid state aid

What Financial Aid Opportunities are Available for Immigrants or Their Children?

There are four main categories of immigration status and each immigration category allows for different financial aid op...

January 07, 2019 Student Loans* paying for college taxes parent PLUS loan

What Happens to Parent PLUS Loans if You Die?

If you borrow money in the form of a Parent PLUS Loan to pay for your child’s college education, then you may be wonderi...

January 07, 2019 Financial Aid and Scholarships* financial aid expected family contribution FAFSA asset protection allowance

What is the FAFSA Asset Protection Allowance? (and Why It Matters)

To apply for federal financial aid, you are required to report nearly all of your assets on the Free Application for Fed...

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