Blog for Students & Families

  • Our Dorm Room Checklist: The Ultimate Guide

    If your student is heading to college this fall, they will need things to help make their space comfortable and support a successful dorm life. But figuring out precisely what they will need isn’t necessarily easy or intuitive. Creating a comprehensive dorm packing list is an essential step for preparing for college move-in and ensuring…

  • How to Eat Healthy on a College Food Budget

    If your college student is going to be a bit cash poor while they are at school, having a college food budget is essential. After all, it’s hard to learn, study, or take tests when your stomach is growling, so your student needs to make sure they can afford enough to eat. Additionally, knowing how…

  • How to Create a Budget for College Students

    Going to college can be expensive, which is why having a comprehensive budget for college students is so important. Without a solid budget, your student could struggle to make ends meet, making their time in school less comfortable and more stressful. Luckily, a college student budget can help your student avoid financial hardship. While the…

  • What is a 529 Plan and Which Ones Are the Best?

    One of the best ways to save for college for your student is a 529 college savings plan. A 529 plan allows your family to sock away cash to pay for future educational expenses. Plus, your investment grows over time, usually at a rate that significantly beats traditional savings accounts. Scholarships are a great way…

  • 25 of the Best Discounts for College Students

    For many students, money is tight. Even if they can pay for much of their education with federal grants and scholarships, eliminating the need for student loans, scoring some of the best discounts for college students can make it easier to stretch a tight budget. Many college students are unaware of the many discounts available…

  • Valedictorian? Salutatorian? Do Class Rankings Matter?

    In the name of “fairness,” some schools are ditching the traditional class rankings system, eliminating the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian from their lexicon. Starting next year, Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana will join the ranks of schools forgoing these titles. The hope is it will help students focus on bettering themselves and not…