Blog

College List Building
UC Berkeley Common Data Set

Sifting through a college’s Common Data Set can take a lot of time. Instead, we’ve gathered the most important information from UC Berkeley’s most recent Common Data Set to provide you with the information you need at a quick glance. This guide contains key information from UC Berkeley Common Data Set 2025-2026. Berkeley Common Data…

September 13, 2026

College Financial Planning
June 23, 2020

Georgia Tech Merit Scholarships

Finding individual college merit scholarship information can take a lot of time. Instead, we’ve gathered the statistics you need to know about Georgia Tech’s merit scholarships, at a quick glance. Before diving in, make sure to review The Ultimate Guide to Merit Scholarships. Georgia Tech’s Merit Scholarships Statistics To learn more about Georgia Tech’s Merit…
Federal Loans
June 21, 2020

When and How to Apply for Student Loans

Financial conversations aren’t always easy, but they’re the first step in helping your child achieve their higher-education goals. Road2College founder Debbie Schwartz, who’s not only a parent navigating college admissions and paying for college, but an expert in personal finance and analysis, says that a family’s financial ability to pay must be an early part…
High School Academics & Activities
June 20, 2020

Extracurricular Activities: What They Are and How to Find Them

Your best friend is lamenting that their high school senior has too many things to list on the Activities section of the Common App. You admit you and your senior are scrambling to come up with activities to fill half of the 10 slots. Instead of wasting time complaining that you should’ve pushed your kid to participate more,…
Finance
June 20, 2020

Home Equity Line of Credit: What You Need to Know

You may have heard that you can access home equity to help your student pay for college. But… should you take out a home equity loan? Are there other options? There are options, and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be exactly what you’re looking for. There are many advantages to a HELOC…
COVID-19
June 18, 2020

Pressure Mounts for Universities to Anticipate In-Demand Jobs

As record numbers of Americans lose their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kathleen Perlmutter has been desperately trying to turn out enough graduates to fill a critical shortage of workers. This story also appeared in PBS Newshour Perlmutter trains phlebotomists, the people who draw blood in hospitals and clinics, for which demand is surging and will…
College Life
June 17, 2020

The Decline of College Student Mental Health and What Parents Can Do About It

An increasing number of high schoolers in the U.S. are struggling with mental health challenges. And the numbers continue to rise as these high school students go on to college. Mental Health of College Students The media is filled with articles about students experiencing high levels of stress and mental health on college campuses. More…
College List Building
June 16, 2020

Virtual College Tours: Are They Worth It?

Virtual college tours were very helpful during the height of COVID-19, but even now, they can be useful. While there’s nothing like visiting in person, online tours remain a viable option for those who can’t. Read the pros and cons of taking a virtual tour and decide if it’s right for your family. What are…
College Financial Planning
June 15, 2020

Scholarships with July Deadlines

American Indian Medical Scholarship Program Amount: $1,500 per semester Apply by: July 1, 2026 Description: Scholarship is open to American Indian college students enrolled in a nursing or health education program. Sponsor: National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) Criminal Justice Scholarship Award Amount: $500 Apply by: July 31, 2026 Description: Scholarship is…
College List Building
June 13, 2020

Parent Advice on Starting the College Search

If your child is a high school sophomore or junior, you may be thinking about your college search process. But with more than 4,000 colleges around the United States, it can be an overwhelming thought. Yikes – how to begin? We talked to veteran college parents about how their families got started and gathered a…
12th Graders
June 12, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on Rising High School Seniors This Fall

We looked at the kinds of challenges and changes that rising high school seniors may face this fall. Here’s what we found. All schools that return to on-campus learning will have new procedures in place for keeping students and staff healthy. That includes whatever the state mandates for the number of students allowed in buildings,…
COVID-19
June 12, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on College Students This Fall

We looked at the kinds of challenges and changes that entering freshmen and current college students may face this fall. Here’s what we found. All schools that return to on-campus learning will have new procedures in place for keeping students and staff healthy. That includes whatever the state mandates for the number of students allowed…
Finance
June 10, 2020

College Acceptance Letters 2020: Did You Get What You Expected?

Families of high school seniors in our Paying For College 101 Facebook group took our 2020 Did You Get What You Expected? survey about their college admissions experiences and financial aid offers. The survey was conducted with College Ave Student Loans in April and May of 2020. Respondents hailed from all over the United States.…
College Financial Planning
June 9, 2020

Four Key Things to Know About the Lifetime Learning Credit

If you’re like many families with students in (or nearing) college, understanding the two major education tax credits is important. The American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit are tax credits available to students to help offset the costs of higher education. Knowing how to handle taxes wisely can make all the difference when it comes to…
College Financial Planning
June 9, 2020

10 Income Strategies to Reduce Your Cost of College

Reducing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a viable strategy in trying to reduce your SAI and maximize how much financial aid colleges will offer your child. It’s important to understand that your income is assessed against you anywhere from 5 to 9 times more than your assets. Colleges don’t want you reading this info…
Applications
June 7, 2020

Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing College Essay Topics

It is important to first understand the purpose of the college application essay. Simply put, essays help the admissions office evaluate your potential to fit into their school’s community and culture as a person. (Not as a student….not as club president….not as the driving force for raising money with a dance-a-thon or relay-for-life team and…
Applications
June 6, 2020

What’s the Difference Between the Coalition App and the Common App?

Back in 2015, a group of 83 public and private colleges announced a new collaboration, naming themselves The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success. Better known as The Coalition, the group, which includes all Ivy League schools along with many selective and prestigious public and private institutions, came together over frustration with the Common Application.…
College Life
June 5, 2020

Having Second Thoughts About Sending Your Child Off to College in These Difficult Times?

The deposit is in, and your family has made the best decision possible about what school to attend in the fall, given the pandemic. But as the days have passed, you’ve started to wonder if it was the right decision. Or perhaps your child is returning to college or considering a school for 2021, and…
College Financial Planning
June 5, 2020

What This Mom Wishes She Knew Earlier About the College Admissions Process

There’s so much misinformation swirling around about how to afford college nowadays. I have six kids and four in college at the same time! (Yes, I said FOUR!) I have learned A LOT along the way, but I do wish I had known much of it before…when my firstborn was applying to college a few…