We all know how the story of the tortoise and the hare ends, don't let that be you! Midterms are over. Acceptance letters have rolled in. You’re passing all your classes. The countdown to graduation has begun. It’s time to kick your feet up; seems like summer break is coming early. The fatigue of the past year sets in, and suddenly, you find yourself putting more and more of your assignments on the back burner. Procrastination is at an all-time high, but it doesn’t matter because you’ve already been accepted into college… right? You may have heard about this before but never fully understood t ..read more

If you think your opportunity to get a scholarship has passed, think again. Many local scholarships are still accepting applicants through April, May, or June.   Start your search today, make a list, and manage your deadlines carefully so you don't miss out on any opportunities. National scholarships are incredibly competitive and often are hard to win. They take lots of time and dedication and often result in little or no payoff.  On the other hand, local scholarships traditionally have fewer applicants, making your chances better in the long run. The amounts may be less, but e ..read more

Fall is here, and so are corn mazes, pumpkin-spiced lattes, and apple-flavored desserts. Don't get too caught up in all of the fall fun, though; it's time to get serious about applying to college! Not sure what you should be doing for the month of October? You've come to the right place to help keep you on track.   Attend a Financial Aid Night Start off October on a strong note by attending a financial aid night at your school or a neighboring high school. These presentations tell you everything you need to know about applying for college financial aid. You will become knowledgeable  ..read more

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 by so fast, and so does each year of high school as you get closer to graduation. College fairs are a great way not to have to travel too far but yet get the opportunity to speak to admissions representatives from several different schools. Does it give you the look and feel of the campus? No, of course not, but an introductory conversation may lead to prioritizing a college visit in the near future or taking a college off the list that you thought you had an interest in ..read more

August is considered the "kick-off" month for applying to colleges because the Common Application is released on the first of the month. Senior year is a busy time, and it is extremely important that you stay organized so you can successfully navigate the college admissions process. This means it is time to get all your ducks in a row and develop a solid plan for applying to colleges.    Gather Supplemental Materials Start by collecting your writing samples, portfolios, and any necessary audition tapes. In order to apply to specific majors, some schools require you to submit addition ..read more

Summertime is finally here, and the beach is most definitely calling your name, but it doesn't mean you should slack off when it comes to college planning. Sure, use this time to relax and spend time with family and friends. But also use your recess from school to get ahead with planning for college. There are some things you should continue to think about and do as your senior year quickly approaches. Here's our short list to keep you on track this July!  Keep busy Getting a job isn't always the most exciting way to spend your summer, but we can guarantee you'll be happy when you get a ..read more

If you are in need of a loan for college, it is important that you understand how to compare your options in order to get the best deal for your family.  Students typically should borrow Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans before seeking a loan elsewhere. These loans have low fixed rates and the most flexible repayment options on the market. If your family applied for financial aid, these loans would have been included in the student's financial aid award letter.  However, federal student loan options have annual borrowing limits and unfortunately, for many ..read more

Choosing a college can be a daunting task, with so many options available. It can be overwhelming to narrow down the choices to just 4-8 schools to apply to. To make things easier, you can use an online tool to find colleges that meet your specific selection criteria. This could include ensuring that they offer your desired major (or a variety of options if you're unsure), providing opportunities for your favorite extracurricular activities, or being in a certain area.  After compiling a list of potential schools, it's time to start exploring campuses. Use your time wisely by attending ad ..read more

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. Grants & Scholarships Often referred to as "gift aid" because it doesn't have to be repaid, grants and scholarships can come from the federal government, state government, coll ..read more

Scholarships are like buried treasures.  Some harder to find than others, but they are worth the time and effort to conduct a search.  Scholarships have been helping students for generations to pursue their academic dreams that would otherwise be completely cost prohibitive.  Best of all scholarships do not need to be repaid.  So we say start searching for the treasures that could be in your back yard (by that we mean your local community) and beyond. So how do you start searching for scholarship treasures?  Or where? Or when? We are here to help.  Below are impo ..read more