7 Costly Mistakes About Paying For College

Debbie Schwartz

Debbie Schwartz is a former financial services executive and founder of Road2College and the Paying For College 101 Facebook group. With an expertise in personal finance, analysis, and marketing, she's working to give families the information and tools they need to make smarter financial college decisions.

Articles by Debbie

An Ivy League Journey: From Yale to Medical School

June 7, 2023

This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow….

Showing Demonstrated Interest in a College Helps Prevent Being Labeled a “Stealth Applicant”

June 5, 2023

There’s nothing secretive about applying to college. So, what do admissions officers mean when they refer to some students as…

College Dorm Checklist: Full List and Advice for Parents of Incoming Freshmen

May 30, 2023

Moving into a college dorm is a significant milestone, representing the first step towards independence and the start of a…

A Mother’s Guide: Transforming College Admissions into Bonding Time

May 26, 2023

College applications can be a bonding time with your child! Read on to learn how we turned stress into success.

What Is a Good GPA? See How You Stack Up

May 18, 2023

Colleges and even employers use a student’s GPA to help determine aptitude. But defining a “good GPA” depends on different…

How a Student With a 2.7 GPA Got Into 19 Colleges

May 9, 2023

You don’t have to have a high GPA to get into college and qualify for merit aid. One parent shares her student’s inspiring story.

How Students Should Spend the Summer Before Senior Year

April 29, 2023

With just one summer left before high-school students graduate, parents had ideas for how to best spend that time.

College Tours: 6 Things to Pay Attention To

April 13, 2023

A recent discussion in our Paying for College 101 Facebook Community focused on what parents noticed on college tours that…