Today many colleges and universities have parent orientations. They are often called something like “Freshman Parent, Family, and Supporter Orientation”. These orientations are typically optional. So common questions I hear from parents or other people close to the student are “Should I attend parent orientation?” or “Is attending parent orientation worth it?” Attending a parent … Read more
With the rising costs of tuition, securing financial aid based on academic and extracurricular achievements can significantly alleviate the financial burden for students and their families. This has made the pursuit of merit scholarships a vital aspect of the college admissions process for many families in today’s current landscape of higher education. The process of … Read more
Are you worried about the rising costs of college education? Well, you’re not alone. Many families, regardless of their income level, are feeling the squeeze when it comes to paying for higher education. That’s where the concept of “chasing merit” comes in. It’s a term that refers to an admission strategy that many families are … Read more
After working in financial aid for several years, I understand that you may have questions and uncertainties about whether or not to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). So I thought that I would compile a list of the top 8 reasons why you should consider filling out the FAFSA. You … Read more
For most students, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a key first step in securing financial assistance for college. However, over the years I have had many students and their families ask me if filling out the FAFSA is mandatory or if it is worth their time and effort. In this article, … Read more
With the cost of college on the rise, more and more students are taking out loans to help pay for their education. While federal loans are available to everyone, they may not, along with any other financial aid you are receiving, cover the full cost of your education-related expenses. This is where private student loans … Read more
Finding the money to pay for college can be a difficult task, especially with the astronomical cost of tuition these days. Sometimes the scholarships, grants, and work-study that you are eligible for just aren’t enough. With that being said, a large number of students are taking out student loans, whether to help pay for their entire tuition … Read more
The Pell Grant is the largest federal need-based grant program, providing aid to eligible undergraduate students. The program is funded by the Federal government but administered independently by each college financial aid office. The Pell Grant is named after Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island, who was instrumental in establishing it under President Lyndon B. … Read more
If you or your student are looking at which colleges to apply to in the future you probably feel overwhelmed at the amount of data you will encounter as you try and compare schools. Included in all of the data you are inundated with is the acceptance rate for each school. So you might be … Read more