Step One

Write Essays

A good college essay is key to college admissions. Learn what makes a compelling essay before your student begins writing.

What You Need to Know

Early Decision Colleges: Read the Fine Print

Here’s what to know before committing to an Early Decision college.

Advice From Parents on Applying and Paying for College

We asked parents from our Paying for College 101 Facebook community to tell us one thing they’ve learned about the...

Holistic Admissions: Your Child Is More Than Their Grades and Test Scores

What Are Holistic Admissions? Applying to college can be one of the most stressful times of your child’s life, and...

College Essay Topics You’ll Want to Avoid

Students preparing to get into college are naturally going to be pitted against each other in a game of stats....

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...

Use the Secrets of Screenwriting to Write Your College Essay

The perfect time for students to start writing college essays is NOW! It may sound like a broken record, but...

Step Two

Fill Out College Applications

When your student has an idea of what's needed to complete an application, there won't be any unexpected surprises. Make sure they are able to review the application before beginning the process.

What You Need to Know

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

Your student may be able to boost their admissions results by showing colleges their interest. Get tips for genuine ways to engage before they apply.

Early Decision Colleges: Read the Fine Print

Here’s what to know before committing to an Early Decision college.

The Common Black College Application Lowers Costs and Stress

Parents dish about how the Common Black College Application makes it easy to apply to more schools and earn more scholarships.

How I Fought to Remove Compulsory Test Scores on Transcripts

Compulsory test scores on transcripts can hurt students who apply test-optional. Here’s how one parent fought to get the scores removed.

Our Full-Tuition Scholarship Journey

This post was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity...

PROOF POINTS: Why elite colleges won’t give up legacy admissions

This story about legacy admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused...

Step Three

Understand Admissions Deadlines

Avoid the disappointment of missing a deadline by working together to keep records and staying organized.

What You Need to Know

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

Your student may be able to boost their admissions results by showing colleges their interest. Get tips for genuine ways to engage before they apply.

Early Decision Colleges: Read the Fine Print

Here’s what to know before committing to an Early Decision college.

FAFSA Corrections: How to Make Changes to Your FAFSA Form

If you made a mistake when submitting the FAFSA, contact your school’s financial aid office and let them know. They...

PROOF POINTS: Colleges that ditched test scores for admissions find it’s harder to be fair in choosing students, researcher says

This story about test optional admissions was written by Jill Barshay and produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused...

How to Get Into Highly Rejective Colleges

This story was originally published in R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group. It has been edited for...

Advice From Parents on Applying and Paying for College

We asked parents from our Paying for College 101 Facebook community to tell us one thing they’ve learned about the...

Step Four

Complete Scholarship & Financial Aid Forms

Make sure your student has the necessary information and paperwork ready before they begin filling out scholarship and financial aid forms. It will save time and make the process less stressful.

What You Need to Know

How Students Can Earn Employee Scholarships for College

Find out how one student tapped into employee scholarships twice to help pay for college!

Teen Jobs May Come With a Bonus: Scholarships

Parents may be surprised to learn their teen's part-time job can help pay for college.

Financial Aid and More: How to Pay for College With No Money

For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible....

Our Full-Tuition Scholarship Journey

This post was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity...

FAFSA Corrections: How to Make Changes to Your FAFSA Form

If you made a mistake when submitting the FAFSA, contact your school’s financial aid office and let them know. They...

How to Make Affordable Colleges Even More Affordable

This story was written by Elizabeth, a member of R2C’s Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook group, where it...

Tools & Services Recommended for You

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.

Become a Member

At Road2College you’ll find everything you need to make the admissions and paying for college process less stressful and more transparent.

TOOLS

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Coaching

Get coaching on admissions and college financing.

Community

Join Road2College where parents and experts work together to inform and inspire college-bound families.