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ApplyThe New Ivies in 2026: Academics, Admissions and Affordability
If you’re considering colleges, the “New Ivies” present strong options. Use this guide to explore and compare them by academics, admissions, and affordability. In This Article: What Are the New […]
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College Financial PlanningParent PLUS Loan vs. Private Student Loan: Which Is Right for Your Family?
When federal grants, scholarships, and your student’s Direct loans still leave a funding gap, most families face the same fork in the road: a Parent PLUS loan or a private […]
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Student & Parent LoansWhat Are Private Student Loans for College?
As your student looks at options to finance a college education, you may be struggling to keep everything straight. There are various sources of funding – federal loans, scholarships, private […]
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Student & Parent LoansParent PLUS Loan Limits: What Every Family Needs to Know
Parent PLUS loans now have annual and lifetime borrowing caps for new borrowers. If your family has relied on Parent PLUS to fill the gap between financial aid and college […]
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College Financial PlanningHow Do Student Loans Work: Guide to Federal, State and Private College Loans
Students and parents often must borrow money to help pay college tuition and other educational expenses. However, understanding how student loans work and navigating the process can be daunting. This […]
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ACTHow to Find a College Where Your Student Will Thrive
One of the biggest misconceptions in the college search is that there’s a single “best” type of college. But talk to enough families and a very different picture emerges. Students […]
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AdviceWant Lower College Costs? Start in the Midwest (66 Great Options)
Many people in the Paying for College 101 Facebook group are from the East and West coasts of the United States. Unfortunately, in regard to the cost of a small […]
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ApplyBest U.S. Aviation Schools: Quality, Affordability, and Overall Value
This is a guide to top U.S. aviation bachelor’s programs, ranked for overall quality and credibility, then compared on costs, flight fees, financial aid, and overall value. Also, get a […]
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Merit ScholarshipsTop U.S. Engineering Schools by Academics, Aid and Value (2026)
Choosing the right engineering school can feel overwhelming. You want a program that’s strong in academics, gives you good financial support, and delivers a return on your investment after you […]
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AdviceWhat This Track Athlete’s College Search Can Teach Every Family About Affordability
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow. I’m sharing this in case it helps another parent starting the […]
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AdviceAdmitted Students Day: What Smart Families Ask (And What They Don’t)
Admitted Students Day feels different from a regular campus tour. This isn’t about “Could I get in?” — it’s about “Should I go?” You’ve already seen the glossy brochures. You’ve […]
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AdviceHow to Adjust Your College Plan When the World Feels Uncertain
You’ve spent months researching schools, comparing financial aid offers, and building a college budget. Then the world shifts. Gas prices climb. The job market softens. News cycles bring fresh anxiety. […]
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AdviceIs Admitted Students Day Worth It? What Parents Say After Attending
Once college acceptance letters arrive, many schools invite admitted students to a special event—often called Admitted Students Day or Accepted Students Day. These programs are designed to help families make […]
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AdviceWhy We Stopped Chasing Merit Scholarships—and Focused on “Meets Full Need” Colleges Instead
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow. I’m the mom of two graduates of the University of Tennessee […]
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ACTIf I Could Do It Over: Hard-Won College Planning Advice From Parents Who’ve Been There
When it comes to college planning, hindsight really is 20/20. I went back to the parents in Paying for College 101 (PFC101) and asked a simple question: What do you […]
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AdviceWe Had Triplets — and Paid $0 in Tuition. Here’s How
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow. If you spend any time reading about college admissions online, it’s […]
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College AdmissionsHow I Found a College My Daughter Loved—and We Could Actually Afford
This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow. I’m a single mother in California who never went to college, […]
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AdviceShould AI Factor Into Choosing a College Major?
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just reshaping technology; it’s reshaping the job market, the classroom, and the very skills employers value. As students think about majors and career paths, many are […]
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AdviceHow We’ve Afforded College for 5 (Out of 6) Kids — Without Parent Loans
Family photo courtesy of Sabrina Malone Editor’s Note: This originally appeared as a post in our private Facebook group, Paying For College 101. Can anyone relate to the feeling of […]
