We Simplify Your Road to College
You’ll find everything you need to make the admissions process, and paying for college, less stressful and more transparent.
What We Offer
TOOLS & SERVICES
Explore College Insights™—your source for finding merit aid and managing the college search process.
GUIDANCE
Read our articles, take our classes, and get answers to your questions.
Community
Join our Facebook and College Insights Live Community where parents and experts work together.
College Insights
Pick An Option That Fits Your Style and College Planning Needs:
THE TOOL
$24.99/mo
You want to work though the admissions process on your own, but value the information at your fingertips.
- Access to articles, weekly newsletter, search tool, select videos
PLUS Most Popular
$39.99/mo
You enjoy figuring things out independently, although sometimes you'd like more instruction.
- Access to articles, weekly newsletter, search tool, all videos
ACADEMY
$79.99/mo
You're a DIYer at heart, but want to learn from professionals and have a team to lean on.
- Access to articles, weekly newsletter, search tool, all videos, live classes, 1:1 reviews, and Q&A with admissions and funding professionals
What Our Members Have to Say
Feeling thankful for being a member in CIA Live. My son heard back from most of his EA schools and was accepted with their highest levels of merit scholarship. The process worked!
“With the great suggestions from this group and the College Insights tool, my son and I created a college list with more options for him to receive merit scholarships.”
“Being a member of the Paying For College 101 Facebook group made me realize that I wasn’t alone going through this crazy process. What a huge sense of emotional and practical support.”
“Your site has been priceless and I appreciate being a part of the membership!”
“Thank you so much for your webinars. I’ve learned so much from the site and College Insights tool. I wish I had found all this information sooner.”
84% of colleges ranked grades in college prep classes as a top factor for admission.
Resources Tailored for Every Step of Your Journey
Pick Your Starting Point:
Plan
Make Financial & Academic Plans
Research
Explore Colleges & Begin Building a List
Apply
Fill Out College Applications & Financial Aid Forms
Compare
Evaluate Colleges Where Your Student Was Accepted
Decide
Determine the College That’s Right for Your Student
Pay
Understand Loan Options & How to Pay the Bill
Go
Off to College
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Read Our Featured Stories
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May 20, 2023 | Ana Pelayo Connery
The number of aviation schools with hands-on learning opportunities is skyrocketing.
How Students Should Spend the Summer Before Senior Year
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With just one summer left before high-school students graduate, parents had ideas for how to best spend that time.
How Attending a Military Academy Pays for College
May 25, 2023 | Mindy Trotta
Find out how much the military can pay for college if you’re able to get in to a service academy. Students should know the program is rigorous and competitive.
Six Job Options for Students with an Engineering Degree
May 20, 2023 | Arlena McClenton
If you’re a student majoring in engineering, consider these top five highest-paying jobs that require an engineering degree.
Determining Your College Budget: Affordability vs. What You’re Willing to Pay
June 9, 2023 | Rebecca Blauch
Parents share how they created a college budget and stuck to it.