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• You need good credit to borrow
• You need to have borrowed to establish a credit history 
• You cannot borrow before age 18
• Your'e heading to college and need good credit to pay for tuition and other expenses

Which comes first, borrowing or good credit?

Having good credit is just as important to help ensure your stability and help you successfully do things such as rent an apartment, buy or lease a car, and even get a good job. Maintaining good credit is very important to your future and will afford you many opportunities that would otherwise be impossible. It can show stability, consistency, responsibility, and maturity – all of which are positive traits that can help you succeed in life. Below, are some helpful tips on building and managing a good credit profile.

Excuses, excuses. Preparing for college is a time-consuming task. Evidenced by the many online and other forms of checklists that have been published for this very purpose. I have prepared a different list. A list of excuses heard in my household that I thought might be helpful to share so you will be armed and ready for battle.

At our annual school counselor breakfast on March 7th, the Director of the College Planning Center, Stacy Crooks, announced that they will begin offering help with career planning. In efforts to assist students in determining a career path that's right for them, students will take a personality assessment to help highlight their interests.

Research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that students who work less than twenty hours per week have a higher GPA than non-working students. Due to the rising costs of college and declining affordability, working while in college is necessary for many students as they use this income to support themselves financially while being away from home. The more students earn while in college, the less they will have to borrow  to pay for school and working while in school also helps students learn to keep themselves organized, manage their time, and understand how to prioritize.

Many college-bound students and their families have fallen for the dangerous myth: "I won't qualify for aid so I'm not going to apply." The reality is, everyone should file the FAFSA, even if they think they may not qualify. The FAFSA is absolutely free to fill out and it can give families money to help cover the rising cost of college. Below is a quick rundown of what you could be eligible for by filing the FAFSA.

Don't leave free money on the table!!

October 1 has come and gone, which means it's time to fill out the FAFSA for the 2019/20 academic year! Creating an FSA ID is the very first step to take in applying for financial aid. An FSA ID is a username and password that allows students and parents to access federal student aid systems and "sign" the FAFSA online. Both the parent and student need one in order to file the FAFSA. For a run down of common FSA ID mistakes to avoid, check out the video below!

Approximately 20 million students choose to attend a post-secondary institution every year.  Many students and their families struggle with where to start in the college planning process. Figuring out which schools might be a good fit, which career path to take, and how to pay for college are just a few of the many things that worry families. Rhode Island might be a small state, but it has a large amount of free resources available to help Rhode Islander's plan for college.

Have you been playing sports for as long as you can remember? Has it been your dream to play sports in college? Collegiate sports provide opportunities to learn, compete, and succeed. Student-athletes receive academic support, medical care, and access to outstanding coaching, facilities, and equipment. Plus, student-athletes tend to graduate at higher rates than the general student body and feel better prepared for life after college.

Test optional.  Test Flexible. Test Blind.  Over the past few years, many colleges have made changes in how your standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) play a role in their admission decision.  What do these different terms mean for you as you plan to complete your college applications?

College Kickoff week is over, but we still have some fun facts to share about Rhode Island's colleges and universities to help you with planning for college. Here are some fun facts provided by Roger Williams University!