Blog for Students & Families

  • How to Pay for Summer Classes: Your Questions Answered

    Most college students already understand how college tuition is paid for during the fall and spring semesters. However, when it comes to paying for summer classes, many students have questions. Taking summer classes — whether at your primary institution, a local community college, or another school — can help you save money and graduate faster….

  • 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. If your student is trying to avoid debt, scholarships are a great…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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 expenses. But, now, things…

  • 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….

  • 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. Even if the award amounts seem small, every bit helps, so these scholarships are worth applying for, no matter the size….

  • 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…