The 5 Worst Ways to Pay for College

      The 5 Worst Ways to Pay for College

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Apr 02, 2026
      Paying for college is one of the biggest financial decisions families make, and with so many options, it’s easy to feel unsure about the “right” path.
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      Denied Student Loan Refinancing? Here’s What to Do Next

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Mar 19, 2026
      Being denied for student loan refinancing can be discouraging, especially when you’re trying to lower your interest rate or ...

      If You’re a Junior or Senior, Read This Before March Is Over

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Mar 02, 2026
      March is a weird month in the college planning world. Winter is technically over, spring is just a few weeks away, and ...

      To Refi or Not to Refi Your Student Loans

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Feb 12, 2026

      Email Etiquette 101

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Jan 30, 2026
      Your Guide to Not Accidentally Stressing Out Your Professors Let’s be honest: email is not exactly your preferred ...

      Becoming Your Own Boss in College

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Jan 15, 2026
      Unlike in high school, no one checks if you’ve managed your time well in college. It’s entirely on you. Seems a little ...

      How to Protect Yourself: Your Identity Theft Questions, Answered

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Dec 18, 2025
      What is identity theft and how can I protect myself?

      15 College Interview Questions & How to Answer Them Without Panicking

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Dec 04, 2025
      College interviews don’t have to feel like an interrogation under a fluorescent light. Think of them more like a ...

      What Does It Mean to Be a First-Generation College Student?

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Nov 13, 2025
      Every year on November 8th, we celebrate First-Generation College Day - a day to recognize the students who are the first in ...

      CSS Profile 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Fill It Out

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Oct 27, 2025
      Hey — what is the CSS Profile anyway? The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, as financial aid 2.0, or in other ...

      The Pros & Cons of Student Loan Refinancing

      Posted by Robert Tetreault, Oct 10, 2025
      If you've borrowed money to pay for college, at some point, you may want to consider refinancing those student loans. ...

      Can AI Help with Student Scholarships?

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Sep 23, 2025
      You may have heard of it or even used it by now. To put it simply, Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is technology that ...

      7 Tips for Parents of College-Bound High School Seniors

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Sep 03, 2025
      Senior year of high school is exciting, stressful, and, let’s be honest… a little chaotic. One day, your teen is full of ...

      8 Everyday Ways to Cut Spending

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Aug 15, 2025

      How to Create a Scholarship Game Plan Before School Starts

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Aug 08, 2025
      Let’s be real… when you think about August, your mind probably goes to the beach, back-to-school shopping, or maybe ...

      9 Smart Ways to Pay Off Your Student Loans Faster

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Jul 25, 2025
      So, if you're trying to crush your student loan debt, you’re not alone. Although managing your overall personal budget ...

      The Value of Volunteering

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Jun 25, 2025
      Even though the weather is getting warmer, the fall college application process will approach quicker than you think. It ...

      College Planning Tips for June

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Jun 13, 2025
      Don’t snooze on your future just because it's poolside season.

      Who Should Write My College Letters of Recommendation?

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, May 30, 2025
      Recommendation letters are a crucial part of the college application process. College admissions use letters to understand ...

      Summer To Do List Before Heading to College

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, May 13, 2025
      (aka your pre-college glow-up checklist 🎓)

      Scholarship Basics, Let's Break It Down

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Apr 08, 2025
      Are you a student searching for scholarships? Or maybe you’re a parent trying to understand what scholarship opportunities ...

      College Choices and the Perfect Fit

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Mar 25, 2025
      Your college acceptances have arrived—major congrats! But now comes the hard part: deciding where to actually go. With all ...

      More to Consider When Considering Community College

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Mar 04, 2025
      Okay, let’s be real—community college sometimes gets a bad rap. Maybe you’ve heard people say it’s just for students who ...

      Writing the Perfect ‘Thank You' for College Recommendation Letters

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Feb 05, 2025
      First things first, congrats on taking the next step toward college! With those recommendation letters out of the way, it’s ...

      The Scholarship Search:  What I would have done differently.

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Jan 21, 2025
      As scholarships open in the new year, students will begin their hunt for financial opportunities. As a soon-to-be college ...

      Going out of state? 7 things to consider if it’s right for you:

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Jan 07, 2025
      Let’s talk about going out of state for college. Can it be an incredible opportunity to grow or something you are not quite ...

      Navigating College Decision Letters

      Posted by Samantha Eskew, Dec 16, 2024
      The day has finally arrived. Whether you open your mailbox to secure your envelope or receive a notification in your email ...

      How to Make the Most of Campus Visits During the Holiday Season

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Dec 03, 2024
      The holiday season is here, and while most of us are thinking about cozy vibes, food comas, and spending time with family, ...

      College Planning Isn’t Over After Hitting Submit: Here’s What Comes Next

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Oct 23, 2024
      So, you’ve finally submitted your Common App – first of all, congrats! That’s a huge step, and you deserve a break (and ...

      College Planning Tips and Timeline for High School Juniors

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Oct 08, 2024
      As a high school junior (or the parent of one!), you probably have a lot going on: schoolwork, sports, and possibly even a ...

      Exploring the Benefits of Parent PLUS Loan Refinancing

      Posted by RISLA, Sep 19, 2024
      Discover the advantages of refinancing your Parent PLUS loans and how it can help you save money and simplify your finances.

      From Bare to Bold: 10 Underrated Items to Elevate Your Dorm Room

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Aug 28, 2024
      Calling all dorm dwellers! So, you're about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your life—college. Amid all ...

      Diploma to Dorm Room: Freshman Year Prep Guide

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Jul 30, 2024
      From your first day of 9th grade to crossing the stage with your diploma, we're sure high school went by in a blur. Although ...

      Questions to ask about student loans if you need to borrow.

      Posted by RISLA, Jul 09, 2024
      By now, you probably have been accepted to college and you know where you are headed to this fall. But have you decided how ...

      College Entrance and Exit Counseling - What to expect

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, May 01, 2024
      What to expect . . .

      "Senioritis" and How to Beat It

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Apr 03, 2024
      We all know how the story of the tortoise and the hare ends, don't let that be you!

      Discover the Benefits of a Summer Internship

      Posted by RISLA, Mar 18, 2024
      Uncover the advantages of participating in a summer internship program and how it can boost your career prospects. Summer ...

      The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Scholarship Essay

      Posted by Melanie Trindade, Feb 13, 2024

      College Planning Tips for October

      Posted by RISLA, Oct 19, 2023
      Fall is here, and so are corn mazes, pumpkin-spiced lattes, and apple-flavored desserts. Don't get too caught up in all the ...

      You Should Attend a College Fair and Here's Why

      Posted by RISLA, Sep 08, 2023
      My bet is that a college visit may have been on your summer to-do list, or any to-do list for that matter. But summer passes ...

      College Planning Tips for August

      Posted by RISLA, Aug 10, 2023
      August is considered the "kick-off" month for applying to colleges because the Common Application is released on the first ...

      College Planning Tips for July

      Posted by RISLA, Jul 12, 2023
      Summertime is finally here, and the beach is most definitely calling your name, but it doesn't mean you should slack off ...

      Making the Most of College Campus Visits

      Posted by RISLA, May 18, 2023
      Choosing a college can be a daunting task, with so many options available. It can be overwhelming to narrow down the choices ...

      4 Tips for Your Scholarship Search

      Posted by RISLA, Jan 31, 2023
      Scholarships are like buried treasures. Some harder to find than others, but they are worth the time and effort to conduct a ...

      Compare Financial Aid Offers with Caution

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Dec 22, 2022

      Have you had the "COLLEGE TALK" with Your Guidance Counselor Yet?

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Oct 06, 2022
      If you are a junior or senior in high school, NOW IS THE TIME to have one or more discussions with your guidance counselor ...

      Responsible Borrowing is the Key

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Jul 07, 2022

      Is the PLUS Loan really a plus?

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Jun 23, 2022
      As parents begin to consider how best to support their son or daughter in their pursuit of a college education, consider the ...

      FAFSA Verification? Do I Need To Do That?

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Jan 13, 2022
      The simple answer is, only if you are asked to.

      FAFSA and Financial Aid Myths

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Oct 07, 2021

      What do Student Loan Repayment and the Jeopardy Game Have in Common?

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Sep 20, 2021

      What to Consider When Considering a Parent Loan to Help Fund Education Expenses

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Aug 05, 2021
      Parents have choices when it comes to borrowing for college. Outlined below are details for you to consider when researching ...

      6 Ways to Get Your Tuition Bill Paid

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Jul 08, 2021
      Many students and families cannot write out just one check in order to pay the tuition bill in full for each college ...

      Why Volunteering Matters

      Posted by RISLA, Apr 23, 2021
      People choose to volunteer for a multitude of reasons. For some, it gives them a chance to give back to the community or ...

      Scholarship Searches - Do's & Don'ts

      Posted by Stacy Crooks, Mar 04, 2021

      Work-Study: What It Is and Isn't

      Posted by Stacy Crooks, Feb 24, 2021

      Common Application Tips & Reminders

      Posted by Alyssa Pascarella, Sep 28, 2020
      Don’t let the thought of completing your college applications stress you out. Think about it as an opportunity to write ...

      How Tuition Payment Plans Can Reduce Borrowing Need

      Posted by Alyssa Pascarella, Jul 09, 2020
      If you’re headed back to school in the fall or are already enrolled at a college or university, it’s time to start thinking ...

      What You Need to Know Before You Borrow for College

      Posted by Alyssa Pascarella, Jun 11, 2020
      Remember to borrow only what you really need! For every dollar you borrow, you will have to pay back more than that dollar ...

      Adjusting to a New Semester

      Posted by Alyssa Pascarella, Feb 03, 2020
      There’s nothing better than vacation, right? Hopefully your winter break was restful and you are recharged and ready to get ...

      Can Refinancing Your Student Loans Save You Money?

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Jan 10, 2020
      While some borrowers refinance their loans just to simplify their monthly repayment, remove a parent from their existing ...

      5 Reasons to Refinance Student Loans

      Posted by RISLA, Aug 26, 2019
      Student loan refinancing is a hot topic in the news these days. Not many days go by without some big headline about soaring ...

      How to Start Building Credit as a Student

      Posted by Alyssa Pascarella, Jul 19, 2019
      The credit conundrum when starting out:

      5 Reasons Why Your Student is Saying "NO" to College Tours

      Posted by Jodi Anderson, Jun 12, 2019
      Excuses, excuses. Preparing for college is a time-consuming task, evidenced by the many online and other forms of checklists ...
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