Step One
It’s senior year—and the time to start checking the last college application tasks off your to-do list. Your student should have a firm grasp on their grades, be finishing any standardized test retakes, getting recommendation letters, and tracking admission deadlines.
A version of this story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community and on U3k4college.com. It’s
This post was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
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 about test optional admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused
This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it
Step Two
You’ve done your research. Now it’s time to whittle down your college list to the schools your student actually wants to apply to. Make sure there’s a good mix of safety, match, and reach schools
A version of this story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community and on U3k4college.com. It’s
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
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 Three
A good college essay is key to college admissions. Your student should have a few essay drafts to work from as they fill out the Common Application, Coalition Application, and/or other admission-related forms.
A version of this story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community and on U3k4college.com. It’s
This post was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
This story about test optional admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused
This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it
When you have a teenager, each new year of high school inches them closer and closer to graduation. And if
Your student isn’t the only one worried about college acceptances. Schools are as well–they want to know the rate at
Step Four
Familiarize yourself with financial aid forms and gather the paperwork necessary to fill them out before you begin. It will save you time and make the process less stressful.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and
A version of this story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community and on U3k4college.com. It’s
For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible.
This post 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
If you made a mistake when submitting the FAFSA, contact your school’s financial aid office and let them know. They
Step Five
Deciphering financial aid and merit scholarship award letters isn’t always an easy task. Being able to suss out the hard-core information takes a discerning eye.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and
A version of this story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community and on U3k4college.com. It’s
For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible.
This post 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
This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
Step Six
Once you have a financial offer in hand, determine whether you’ll need more aid/scholarships. If so, devise an approach to successfully appeal the offer.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and
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 originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it
If you’ve determined that you have good cause to appeal your financial aid award, and as a result, have made
The following questions were asked during our webinar on how to appeal financial aid and merit scholarships. Watch the webinar
Step Seven
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
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and
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 originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it
Grants are a type of “gift aid,”or financial assistance. Unlike a student loan, a grant doesn’t need to be repaid.
Step Eight
You’re nearing the finish line, but there are still a few things left to do. After reviewing your college offers, do a final run-through of costs, weigh the pros and cons of each school, and make a decision.
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 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
We did it! My high school senior said yes to the right school for him. With this milestone behind us,
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 originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity
Step Nine
There’s more than one path when it comes to funding college. Some families get help from relatives, use their own assets, apply for loans, or do a combination of these. Make sure you educate yourself on the entire process before making a decision.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and
We did it! My high school senior said yes to the right school for him. With this milestone behind us,
Comments in this story were first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook community. They’ve been edited
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 originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) group. It has been edited for clarity and
Loans can help students cover college funding gaps. If your student has already accepted all scholarship and grant opportunities and
Step Ten
You want to create a comfortable home away from home for your student, but you also don’t want to go overboard. The reality is they will likely move often during school, so when it comes to dorm shopping, less is more.
Going to college can be scary for many students. For the first time in their lives, they will be on
Here’s a new item of concern for parents planning college visits with their high school students: Check for mold and
It’s never too early to start collecting essentials for your soon-to-be college student’s dorm room. And we agree with so
Well, summer is in full swing, and most high school graduates have been vegging out for weeks. (Notice I didn’t
Around the last week of August last year, just as the first Hello Kitty notebook hit the shelves at Target
STEP ELEVEN
Your student may think they’re ready for college, but just to make sure, there are some important legal documents to fill out and practical financial tips to go over.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
We did it! My high school senior said yes to the right school for him. With this milestone behind us,
This anonymous post originally ran in our Paying For College 101 group. It really struck a chord. We’ve edited the
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Group. It has been edited for clarity and
Today’s teens face increased pressure in all aspects of their lives — from trying to “keep up” with their peers
As a mom, I’m learning that “the money talk” with teenagers is about more than money—it’s about family values and
STEP TWELVE
Your student isn’t the only one who will be adjusting to a new normal. As you transition from active parenting to the role of mentor, be sure to consider your own future as well.
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow.
This anonymous post originally ran in our Paying For College 101 group. It really struck a chord. We’ve edited the
A version of this story by Alison Lowenstein was originally published on Frazzled, a parenting humor publication on Medium. PARENTING HUMOR ????
What does it look like when your kid has reached his last day of regular undergrad classes for the rest
Parents of high school seniors— I know this can be a crazy, stressful time in the college process for so
Introspection at this point in life—when the kids are headed off to college, and we’re transitioning to an empty nest—is
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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