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College List BuildingUC Berkeley Common Data Set
Sifting through a college’s Common Data Set can take a lot of time. Instead, we’ve gathered the most important information from UC Berkeley’s most recent Common Data Set to provide you with the information you need at a quick glance. This guide contains key information from UC Berkeley Common Data Set 2025-2026. Berkeley Common Data…
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College Financial PlanningWhat Is A Trade School? Your Guide to This Path
Explore trade schools – a hands-on education path for specialized skills and swift career entry. Learn the differences, benefits, costs and how they match your goals. What Is a Trade School? A trade school, also known as a vocational school, is a focused educational institution where students acquire specific skills for particular jobs or fields.…
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AdviceHow We Found the Ideal Small Liberal Arts College for My Daughter
Parent Meg A. discovered that a college she had never heard of was the perfect fit for her daughter. Here’s her family’s college journey and how it led them to an unexpected place. This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) group. It has been edited for clarity and flow. …
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College AdmissionsA Parent’s Guide to the Pros and Cons of Community College
Community colleges are an excellent option for millions of students each year. Over 10 million students are enrolled in community colleges, and over half of the adults in the United States with a bachelor’s degree attended community colleges at some point in their higher education journey. By contrast, 14 million college students attend four-year institutions.…
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Advice12 Great Ideas For Celebrating Your Child’s College Acceptance
As the long-awaited acceptance letters arrive for high school seniors, families are coming up with unique and memorable ways to commemorate this significant milestone. From symbolic hoodie selections and festive family dinners to fun-filled videos and even “bed parties,” parents are finding countless ways to express their boundless love and support. In a heartwarming display…
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AdviceThis Parent’s Clever Idea Can Help You Build The Perfect College List
You’ve heard of vision boards designed to help you “see” what it is you want from your life and career, but what if a vision board was just the tool to help you and your child build a college list and narrow down the schools that are the best fit? A dad in our Paying…
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AdviceParenting Dilemma: To Assist or Not to Assist in College Applications? Hear What Parents Have to Say
During the height of college application season, many parents start to wonder just how much assistance they should be giving their students, especially when many of them are on the cusp of legal adulthood. We asked parents in our Paying for College 101 Facebook Group and followers of our Facebook page if they thought it…
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AdviceHow to Secure College Merit Aid: 9 Steps To Take Junior and Senior Year of High School
Recently Melissa G., a parent in our Paying for College 101 Facebook Group whose child got into the College of Charleston with significant merit aid, looked back on her child’s junior and senior year of high school and offered her best advice for how both students and parents can prepare. Other parents were so appreciative…
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AdviceAn Open Letter To My Second College-Bound Child: Forget Prestige, Embrace Passion!
There is a lot you learn on the college journey, and if you have multiple children, that experience proves quite valuable when you go through it the second time or even third around. Recently, a parent in our Paying for College 101 Facebook Group shared an open letter to her next child after going through her…
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Family JourneysElite Schools vs Full-Ride Scholarships — Parents Debate The Pros And Cons
What happens when your student opts for the big, pricey college offering zero dollars in merit aid over myriad schools offering full rides? You digress and commiserate with other parents who’ve faced the same fate. Recently, Olga K., a parent in our Paying for College 101 Facebook Group, shared her family’s experience with choosing a…
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College AdmissionsState Schools Can Be the Smart Choice for Many Students — If You Can Get In!
In-state tuition costs far less than out-of-state tuition, so for years state schools have been considered an affordable pathway to college. Many provide a top-tier education and have plenty of resources to rival more selective schools, but there are still some families that view them as subpar to more recognizable, brand-name schools. Chrissy M. is…
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ApplyHow to Get Into College Without Test Scores and Only 1 AP Class
The mom of a Penn State-bound high school senior shared the following story in our Paying for College 101 Facebook Group, and it garnered tons of attention. It summarizes her daughter’s high school experiences both in and out of the classroom — experiences that included only one AP class and skipped standardized tests altogether. It’s…
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AdviceBe Prepared for These 10 Key FAFSA Changes When You Fill Out Your Form
After delays and confusion, a significant change in the college financial aid landscape has arrived with the overhaul of The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These changes, which took effect December 31 in a “soft launch,” promise applicants a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Here’s what you need to know about “Better FAFSA,”…
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AdviceFAFSA Application Ultimate Guide: How to Apply, Steps, Tips, FAQ
In this comprehensive guide for the FAFSA application, we provide the essential information you need to successfully apply for financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education will introduce a revamped application process by Dec. 31, 2023, creating both anticipation and anxiety. This guide will help you navigate the FAFSA process and maximize your chances of…
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AdviceGet Ahead of the Admissions Curve: Early Planning Was the Key to Our Success
This story, as told by Fidela L. was first published in our Paying for College 101 Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and flow. (Go here to read the original post and the nearly 100 comments from other group members.) As the parent of a high school senior who has officially graduated and chosen…
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ApplyExploring the Midwest Student Exchange Program: Making College More Affordable in 8 States
Pursuing higher education in the Midwest brings unique challenges and opportunities, especially when your home state lacks certain academic programs. The Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), also known as the Midwest Exchange, steps in as a solution. It offers an innovative way to access educational programs across state lines, often at significantly reduced costs. What…
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EssaysStep-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Supplemental Essay for College
Understanding the nuances of supplemental essays in college applications is crucial for aspiring college students. This article delves into what a supplemental essay is, its importance in the college admissions process, and how it differs from the Common App essay. It provides a comprehensive guide on writing effective supplemental essays, including strategies to showcase your…
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Financial aidDeciphering College Financial Aid: A Guide to Need-Based vs. Merit-Based Aid
College financial aid falls into two basic categories: need-based and merit-based aid. It’s important to know the difference between the two. Merit-based financial aid can come from institutional, state, federal, or other sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) and is awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit, or any other non-need-based…
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Standardized testsWhat Is a Good PSAT Score? Essential Guide to Scoring, Scholarships, and Prep
More than 1.5 million high school students take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) each year. This guide explains what constitutes a good PSAT score and how to improve yours. What Is the PSAT? The PSAT, also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, is a national assessment that high school juniors take before the SAT.…
