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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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FinanceCan Private Scholarships Displace My Financial Aid?
Your student has worked hard both in school and in the scholarship application process. You’re excited that they’ve won some small scholarships, which you hope will help make a dent in the high cost of college. Suddenly, you get an update to your student’s aid offer from their target school. The amount of need-based aid…
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Standardized testsUnderstanding the PSAT
The PSAT is a big focus of many students’ sophomore and junior years. Freshmen can take it as well. Some families use it to help their student prepare for the SAT, but it is much more than a practice test. According to Princeton Review, “over 1.5 million high school students” take the PSAT So, 1.5…
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Private Loans5 Steps to Help You Improve Your Credit Score
If you are considering getting private student loans to help pay for your child’s education, your credit score will be an important factor in how much the loan will cost you. Having a higher credit score will make you more creditworthy in the eyes of lenders, and the rates you may be offered will be…
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Federal LoansAre Private Student Loans the Better, Cheaper Option?
Not too long ago, the student loan world was a lot like the Wild West. Back then, it was a common belief that private student loans were the “bad guys,” and federal loans like the Parent PLUS loan, were the “good guys.” That way of thinking has changed and private student loans are now, in…
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ApplyWhat’s the Single Best Piece of Essay Writing Advice?
Regardless of whether it’s crunch time for your high school senior who may have been “a little lax” about applying to college, or whether your student is a great planner and has left herself with a good time buffer, writing college essays, filling out applications, asking for teacher recommendations, requesting transcripts, and on and on,…
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College SportsA Student-Athlete’s Path to College — Tips From an Expert
Expert advice on how student athletes can find the most money, athletic scholarships, and the best choice for college.
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Financial aid10 Questions to Ask Financial Aid Officers
As you prepare to apply for college, or even as you go on college visits, it can help to get an idea of what to expect as you figure out how to pay the bill. Financial aid interview questions can help you determine which schools are likely to provide you with the best package. A…
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ApplyRecalculating High School GPAs: How It’s Done
Ask any college admissions officer the most important part of a high school senior’s application and the answer is likely, “The strength of the student’s curriculum and the grades the student gets in those classes.” Sounds straightforward, no? It should be. But it’s often more complicated than that, thanks to high schools’ various grading scales,…
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ApplicationsHow Much Should Parents Assist With College Admissions?
For students, the high school years can be a whirlwind of growth, enlightenment…and stress. As a parent, these years can be a difficult as well. But in a different way. Each year that goes by has you watching your baby grow up and move on into their own life. As a result, you may wonder…
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ApplyHow Attending a Military Academy Pays for College
Students who are interested in serving their country and getting a college degree would be well-advised to look into attending a military academy. Five elite United States military academies prepare students to become the next generation of officers while providing them with a free education that, according to Ellie Kay, an Admissions Liaison Officer for…
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FinanceHow to Compare Your Student Loan Options
Paying for college is one of the most difficult challenges faced by parents and students. This is especially true since it’s been more than ten years since the government adjusted the amount students can borrow in federal loans. As a result, parents are bearing a larger portion of the burden. “As a freshman, the most…
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Find ScholarshipsScholarships for African American Women
API Study Abroad and Intern Abroad Scholarships Amount: Varies Apply By: June 10, 2019 Description: There are several scholarships with specific requirements. In addition to general scholarships, there are scholarships specifically open to community college students, military veterans, non-traditional students, students with disabilities, minority students, LGBTQ students, STEM majors, and student athletes. Sponsor: API Study…
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Standardized testsHow to Get SAT or ACT Accommodations
For students with learning disabilities and/or ADD/ADHD, figuring out whether to take the SAT or ACT isn’t so straightforward. My first piece of advice is to apply for accommodations on both tests. Then evaluate the differences in approved (or declined) accommodations and consider which test to take. Sometimes SAT and ACT approve identical accommodations; but,…
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Student & Parent LoansStudent Loans Without a Cosigner — What You Need to Know
As the cost of college continues to rise, the reality is that there’s a good chance you’ll need a student loan to help cover the cost of your education. Even if you have a scholarship, you might need to use a student loan to help close a funding gap. But what if you can’t get…
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ApplyFinancial Aid for Minorities: Busting the Myths
I have a confession to make. It’s not going to be very popular with most people, and I know this is a relatively taboo subject, but I want to share my family’s story to help other families who might be going through what we went through. In the beginning, I honestly, truly, legitimately believed that…
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Federal LoansFeatures You Must Know About When Choosing the Best Student Loans
The reality for many college students is that loans are a necessity if you need additional funding to help pay for school. When choosing loans, it’s important to understand what the loan will really cost you — and how to calculate the true cost of your loan. Going in with knowledge can help you make…
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Federal LoansTypes of Student Loans: Which Ones Are Best for You?
Chances are that you’ll need to use student loans as a way to help fund college. After all, the price of college continues to rise, and while it’s possible to get scholarships and grants, these might not completely cover expenses. Figuring out the right student loan mix between the types of federal and private student…
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Federal LoansUsing Student Loans for Living Expenses
Most people know that you can take out a loan to help pay for your tuition, but you may be wondering whether you can take out a student loan for living expenses. The answer: Yes, you can! Here’s how. Calculating Living Expenses vs. Tuition First, let’s take a look at what counts as a living…
