Life during college often comes with many ups and downs. Sometimes, life throws an unexpected curveball that requires students to withdraw from school mid-semester. If you’ve already paid for classes, you might not get a refund. That’s where tuition insurance can help. Whether you are a parent or student, tuition insurance can be a worthwhile way to secure your investment. In partnership with GradGuard, let’s take a look at five common reasons you should consider tuition insurance. GradGuard is a leading tuition insurance provider and they can help you protect your college financial ..read more

As high school graduation approaches, you might find yourself at a crossroads. Should you take the conventional route and go straight to college, or have you been dreaming about taking a break from school to try something new? Either option holds its value. While fewer than 5% of high school students in the U.S. choose to take a gap year before enrolling in college, the Gap Year Association reports that “students who had taken a gap year were more likely to graduate with higher grade point averages than observationally identical individuals who went straight to college.” In ..read more

A tuition payment plan is a lesser-known way to pay for college as you go. It breaks your tuition bill up into smaller payments, allowing you to pay in installments over time.  Remember, how you decide to finance your college education is going to be one of the most important decisions you make in your life. While a lot of students opt for student loans or financial aid packages, that isn’t the only way to pay for college. In this article we’ll dive into how tuition payment plans work, how much they cost, and some things you’ll want to be aware of before you enrol ..read more

Did you know: marital status can be a factor when determining financial aid eligibility. If you are making your way through college after tying the knot, your financial situation will likely look different than that of your single peers, which could impact your access to financial aid. But everyone’s situation is unique. We explore some of the potential benefits for married college students below.  ..read more

The college admissions process is notoriously competitive. The last several decades might even indicate that getting into college has become harder, overall. College acceptance rates hover at a national average of 68%, though the rate at some of the nation’s top institutions is a shocking 3%. Let’s put that into perspective, though. Of course, acceptance rates drop when more students are applying, and colleges have largely seen nonstop growth since the mid-twentieth century. There are roughly two million more students enrolled in college today than in 2004 and just over seven million more enro ..read more

In recent years, many colleges and universities have adjusted their campus pet policies to meet the changing needs of students. Having a pet in college was once a rarity, but pet-friendly campuses are now more common as colleges work to create a more supportive environment for their students. That said, having a pet as a college student is a big commitment in terms of financial responsibility and time commitment. From explaining common pet policies to reviewing current trends on campuses, we break down the ins and outs of owning a pet as a college student to help you make the most in ..read more

Ever wonder which schools are considered "Ivy League", and where the term came from? Ivy League schools are an elite group of eight private universities based in the northeastern U.S., best characterized by their historical campuses, rigorous academic programs, and strong alumni networks. From explaining the term “Ivy League” to discussing the current global influence of this network of schools, we’ll walk you through the history of Ivy Leagues over time, including how they’ve impacted higher education and how relevant they are in the current age of expanding access to college ..read more

It can be confusing to understand whether you're a dependent or independent student for FAFSA and financial aid purposes. Given the current cost of higher education, college students need all the help they can get when paying for college. There are a variety of different ways to pay for college, including paying your own way, scholarships, grants, and student loans. Nearly all forms of financial aid start with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that is made available by the U.S. government. And one of the key sections of the FAFSA form is determining whether ..read more

Getting an inheritance is the epitome of a mixed blessing. You receive a financial windfall, but the cause is the death of a loved one. On top of complicated emotions, you may be dealing with the largest sum of money you’ve ever seen. Nobody is born knowing how to handle an inheritance, and few people are prepared to handle one. But if you’ve received an inheritance, you can take a few steps to use the money wisely ..read more

College meal plans are a way to prepay for your meals while on campus. This can be a convenient way to get food, as most college dorm rooms do not have kitchens.  Depending on the college, they may offer a variety of different college meal plans, ranging from pay as you go to an all-inclusive meal plan that covers all of your meals ..read more