Step One
Now’s the time for your student to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, the arts, hobbies, projects, and more. These can all be added to their brag sheet later.
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
A Stressed Mom Speaks Out (A version of this story was first published anonymously by a mom in our Paying
Junior year of high school is an important time for students in the college admissions process. Use our college planning
Not every student is an A-team athlete or the star of the school play, nor do they have to be
Whether your child is thinking about taking a few classes before college, in between semesters, or even jumping right in
Summer programs for high school students offer opportunities ranging from local college classes to programs around the world. As college
Step Two
Tools and resources like guide books and school websites can be tremendously helpful. Use them often.
A Stressed Mom Speaks Out (A version of this story was first published anonymously by a mom in our Paying
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
Junior year of high school is an important time for students in the college admissions process. Use our college planning
This story was originally published in R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group. It has been edited for
There’s a lot to consider when helping your child make the best possible decision on where to go to college.
Sending a child to college is never easy—financially, logistically, or emotionally—but going at it alone is even more difficult. To
Step Three
Your student has studied, taken practice tests, and studied some more. Now it’s time to take the official standardized test(s). Whether they’re AP, ACT, or SAT, test scores are an important part of the college application process.
This post was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
This post was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
A Stressed Mom Speaks Out (A version of this story was first published anonymously by a mom in our Paying
SAT and ACT prep doesn’t have to be expensive; in fact, many of the best resources are free. Below, I’ve
The benefits of preparing academically for the SAT are obvious, but many families underestimate the importance of preparing emotionally and
You’ve weighed the pros and cons of the AP program, and you would like to have your student try out
Step Four
When it comes to paying for college, make sure you know the FAFSA process, and all of your options, including need-based aid, merit scholarships, loans, and more.
For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible.
If you made a mistake when submitting the FAFSA, contact your school’s financial aid office and let them know. They
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) group. It has been edited for clarity and
This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it
This article was sponsored by College Ave Student Loans. College Ave takes the stress out of paying for college so
Paying for college can be daunting. That’s why more and more parents of college-bound students are looking for additional ways
Step Five
Letters of recommendation are an important component of the process. And again, who to ask and how to ask can make a big difference.
By Jacqueline Palochko Comments in this story were first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook community.
What Are Holistic Admissions? Applying to college can be one of the most stressful times of your child’s life, and
The brag sheet is an integral piece of the college application process, and yet it’s not talked about often enough.
A letter of recommendation for college is one of the most universal parts of the application process. It’s something every
There’s a whole subset of would-be college attendees who do not qualify for financial aid based on the FAFSA, but
I’m going to let you in on a little secret… This is insider information that I’ve never publicly shared before.
Step Six
There’s nothing like seeing a school up close and in person, but it may not always be possible. Know the right questions to ask—whether it’s IRL or virtually.
By Jacqueline Palochko Comments in this story were first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook community.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
When your child thinks of the typical college freshman experience, they might envision moving into a dorm room or rushing
There are many sites that use various criteria to assess colleges and then publish their lists for all prospective college
Step Seven
The college list you and your student create will define the amount of time and effort required to complete the application process. From essays to demonstrated interest, financial aid forms to campus visits, make and hone the list until it reflects the right academic and financial balance for your family.
By Jacqueline Palochko Comments in this story were first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook community.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
This story about legacy admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
Step Eight
When it comes to meeting deadlines, keeping records and staying organized will save your student from potential disappointment.
This story was first published as a post by a parent in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s
By Jacqueline Palochko Comments in this story were first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook community.
This story about legacy admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused
If you made a mistake when submitting the FAFSA, contact your school’s financial aid office and let them know. They
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
This story about test optional admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused
Step Nine
A good college essay is key to college admissions. Learn what makes a compelling essay before your student begins writing.
What Are Holistic Admissions? Applying to college can be one of the most stressful times of your child’s life, and
Students preparing to get into college are naturally going to be pitted against each other in a game of stats.
There’s a whole subset of would-be college attendees who do not qualify for financial aid based on the FAFSA, but
You’re ready to apply for colleges, and perhaps you’ve already begun the process of selecting your preferred schools and filling
I’m going to let you in on a little secret… This is insider information that I’ve never publicly shared before.
Sometimes the best way to learn is to go through the process yourself and then share your learnings with others.
Step Ten
Make sure your student reviews the application before beginning the process. When your student has an idea of what’s needed to complete it, there won’t be any unexpected surprises.
This story was first published as a post by a parent in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s
The Common Application is accepted by more than 1,000 schools. It enables students to apply to multiple colleges and universities at
Students who invest time creating a high school resume for college applications may be handsomely rewarded in the admissions process.
Does the prospect of writing your Common App essay fill you with fear? You are not alone. In the ten
STEP ELEVEN
Merit aid is lovely, but sometimes, it doesn’t come through. There are other options to fill some of the cost gaps, like private scholarships. Although researching these takes perseverance, the effort can pay off.
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible.
This story was written by a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it was
This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it
Everyone wants to know how to find college scholarships. The first step is to understand what type of scholarships you’re
Here is a list of scholarships, all of which have February deadlines. Association of Women in Mathematics Essay Contest Amount:
There may come a time when you realize you can’t do it all alone. Use any of the many tools in our toolbox to assist you on the road to college.
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