Refinancing Student Loans – What You Need to Know
Many students look into refinancing student loans. Often, getting a lower interest rate or monthly payment is the main goal, making an existing student loan more affordable. However, there can be other motivators for student loan refinancing, including avoiding defaulting on a debt. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to understand that there are limitations…
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10 Common Scholarship Essay Questions and How to Answer Them
When your student applies for scholarships, writing the essay often feels like the most challenging part. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. By learning about common scholarship essay questions and how to answer them, your student can be prepared for most of the topics they’ll need to address. While it’s true that different scholarships may…
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Learning Disabilities and College Admission – What You Need to Know
Overall, one in five students have attention or learning disabilities. Even facing those challenges, many of those students can thrive in college. Learning disabilities and college can certainly go hand-in-hand. Not only may students have access to learning disability college scholarships, reducing the financial burden associated with earning a degree, but they also have access…
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Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA: What You Need to Know
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA; while students know that colleges look at their GPAs when making admissions decisions, it’s common to have questions about these two variants. However, the biggest one is usually, “What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPAs?” Luckily, how these two options stand apart is pretty easy to figure out once…
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FAFSA’s EFC Is Going Away: Here’s What You Need to Know
In years past, a student’s expected family contribution (EFC) played a big role in their college financial aid package. Essentially, the EFC – is calculated based on data students enter on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – determined how much a student was going to have to pay out-of-pocket for their college…
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What You Need to Know About HBCU Schools
As your student begins exploring colleges, they may notice that some of them are referred to as HBCU schools. While some students will recognize the term immediately, for others, it may be entirely new. Since the college search process can often be daunting in its own right, coming across an unfamiliar term can be jarring….
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How to Find Local Scholarships to Pay for College
Local scholarships are a boon for students. Often, there’s less competition for the awards. This could make them easier to land, allowing students to bolster their funds and pay for college with greater ease. In some cases, they can even make a previously unaffordable school a viable option. That’s right; local scholarships can make a…
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It’s College Acceptance Letter Time: How to Manage the Highs & Lows
It’s official college acceptance letter time. It’s one of the most exciting and one of the most stressful times of the college application season. The notices are working their way toward students’ front doors, and they can spark great joy or severe disappointment. Navigating college acceptance letter season is tricky. Most parents want to be…
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Attending College in Texas: What You Need to Know (Including Texas Scholarships)
Higher education is receiving a big push in Texas. According to the Texas Higher Education board, “by 2030, 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree.” That renewed focus isn’t just outstanding for Texas residents; it’s good for all students who may want to study in the state. For many students,…
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How to Create the Ultimate 4-Year High School Plan (with Template)
When your student gets ready to start high school, it’s an exciting time. It’s a big life step on the path toward becoming an adult, a moment that’s both exhilarating and, often, a tad anxiety-inducing. Luckily, by creating a 4-year high school plan, your student can chart a course toward success. College is just four…
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