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College List BuildingUC 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…
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FinanceHow the American Opportunity Credit Can Save You Money on College
I’m not sure there’s anyone who looks forward to doing taxes, especially when you have college-bound students on your mind. It seems like it’s just one more thing to deal with – and pay for – in an already”overdrawn” life. But the news regarding taxes isn’t all bad. In fact, when you have students in…
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College LifeA Non-Celeb’s Commencement Speech to This Year’s Graduating Class
I’m notBono. OrEllen DeGeneres. Or theDali Lama. Chances are pretty good that I’ll never front a cool band, host the Oscars, or lead a nation of Buddhists. Or stand like them in front of a class of soon-to-be college graduates delivering a commencement speech. (Their speeches were cool so click on the links to hear…
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ApplyCollege Admissions Myths: Pulling Back the Curtain
My father used to say, “If you are waiting for life to be fair, you are going to be waiting a long time.” Nothing drives this point home quite like the college admissions process. I hear, with alarming regularity, “it’s not fair” from students and parents. They are absolutely correct. There are, however, many strategies…
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FinanceWhy You Need a Four-Year College Financial Plan Before Your Student Enrolls
Parents of college-bound students are losing sleep! At least, that’s what the parents in our Paying for College 101 Facebook group are telling us. College admissions are difficult, but most parents find the process of paying for college even more stressful. Unfortunately, it all seems focused on one thing – getting the freshman year paid…
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LearnInside Scoop on Athletic Scholarships
Families of student-athletes very often do not understand the intensity of competition for athletic scholarships. When this happens, they require assistance to financially prepare for college and maximize their recruiting opportunities. College coaches don’t find athletes randomly – families need a plan to be proactive to gain the necessary exposure. If you are a parent…
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FinanceHow to Find Colleges That Give the Most Merit Aid – Follow the Money
We’ve all heard the term “follow the money” but does it come to mind when you think about applying to college? Probably not. If you’re interested in finding merit aid/scholarships, following the money is one of your best bets for figuring out which colleges offer the most merit aid. Many families approach the college process…
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ApplyHow to Earn College Credits in High School
Earning college credits in high school is a great way to save money, get a head start on your college education, and increase your chances of getting into a good college. There are a few different ways to earn college credits in high school, including: Advanced Placement (AP) courses AP courses are college-level courses that…
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11th GradersOvercoming Test Anxiety: Tips From a Test Prep Pro
When it comes to test-taking, it is completely normal to experience a few butterflies in your stomach when you’re in pre-test mode. In fact, Anna Silverman, an expert tutor with Noodle Pros whose specialty is working with anxious test takers to help build their confidence, feels that little bit of extra adrenaline can often be…
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College Financial PlanningHow Grandparents Can Pay for College with 529 Plans
A 529 Plan owned by a grandparent doesn’t get reported on FAFSA, but there’s lots more to know if you have to fill out the CSS Profile.
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ScholarshipsAre Community Service and Volunteering Part of Scholarship Requirements?
Students searching for college scholarship money will quickly notice a recurring theme in many scholarship applications and their requirements. Organizations offering scholarships overwhelmingly require students to share what type of community service and volunteer projects in which they have been involved. Students applying late in their senior year of high school and who did not…
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FinanceScholarships for High School Seniors: 7 Fantastic Tips From a Mom Who Knows
I don’t know about you, but it seems like just yesterday that my oldest son was waving goodbye to me as he excitedly began his first day of kindergarten. Fast forward with lighting speed and suddenly he was graduating from high school, applying for college and trying to figure out how to get scholarships. How…
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ApplyAre Private Colleges Worth It?
Many high school students automatically assume they can’t afford a private college and don’t even consider applying to one. They then mirror some of their friends, applying to a college near their home. The application process can be easy; the high school counselor knows the admittance process for that school, and state schools sometimes are…
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ApplyPlanning Some College Tour Trips? Here’s How to Save Yourself Time, Money, and Heartache
Are you a high school freshman or sophomore, or the parent of someone who is? If so, you’re probably wondering about planning some college tour trips. When’s the best time to start? And where to begin? On the one hand, you don’t need to schedule college visits and hit the road just yet. On the…
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UncategorizedFiguring Out How Much Financial Aid You’ll Get
It used to be that the only way you could figure out how much financial aid you’d get was by being accepted to a college and submitting the FAFSA. However, now colleges have Net Price Calculators (NPC) and you can get an estimate of how much money you’ll get before you even submit an application…
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Finance10 Tips for Helping Parents Pay for College
I wish I could say that if you followed everything we suggest here you would never have a problem paying for college. If that were true, we would certainly become national heroes! Unfortunately, we can’t solve all the problems with college admissions and rising tuition, but there’s a good chance we can help you avoid…
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FinanceWhy These Strategies WON’T Help You Pay for College
We understand that college is expensive, and we’re eager to help you find ways to pay for college. However, not all tactics and techniques are created equal. As tempting as it may be, some methods of trying to fund college are dishonest and unethical, and we can’t recommend them. There are many, many useful ways…
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SurviveHelping Teens Set Boundaries – Knowing When to Say Yes vs No
Of all the pieces of advice I gave my daughter before she set off for college, one of the more important maxims was how to say “No.” And as I look back now, I realize that was something I should have talked more about all during her high school years. Empowering our teens and instilling…
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FinanceHow to Clean Up Bad Credit if Your Student Needs Student Loans
Are you a parent concerned you won’t be able to help your student with private student loans or a parent plus loan because of your own poor credit? Are you struggling to get loans for things you need because your credit report has problems? You’re not alone. Some parents are still struggling with their own…
