questions & answers

What is Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The Estimated Family Contribution or EFC is a calculated measure of your family’s financial strength. It is an index number that colleges use to determine your eligibility for different need-based financial aid programs. What EFC is NOT: Your EFC is not an indication of the amount you or your family are liable to pay towards …

questions & answers

How Is EFC Calculated Exactly?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

EFC (click here to check out more acronyms) or Estimated Family Contribution is calculated using the information that you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA and CSS) application. The calculation is done according to a formula established by the U. S. Department of Education’s Federal Methodology Calculation. It takes into account the …

student loans

What Does Forbearance Mean?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Forbearance is a special type of program that gives students temporary relief from making their loan payments. This is a great alternative for students if money is tight and they cannot afford to make their scheduled loan payments. Unlike when you defer your student loans, where the outstanding payment does not accrue any interest, under forbearance …

ACT & SAT

3 Mistakes To Avoid On The SAT Math Section

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

All students, whether they are good or bad in high school math, can make the same mistakes on the SAT math section. These are some of the common mistakes that all students tend to make and how you can avoid them. Mistake #1: Not Writing Out All Of The Steps Writing out all the steps …

college search

Advice On Making Your Final College Choice

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 9, 2023

Your hard work right through your high school years has paid off and you’ve received several acceptance letters. Congratulations! Now it’s time to make that huge decision that will influence your next few years. Here is some advice when choosing a college. Receiving multiple acceptance letters can be exciting. But, if you do not have …

student loans

Are You Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

According to the National Student Loan Data System for Students, around 25% of the American workforce may be eligible for forgiveness programs. However many people lose out of the benefits of student loan forgiveness simply because they presume they are not eligible. Take the time to learn about how student loan forgiveness works and also …

scholarship search & applications

Can Parents Apply for Scholarships for Their Child? Here’s How You Can Help.

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 20, 2023

Parents should not apply for scholarships on behalf of their child. However, you can assist them in the process by: Helping them hone their time management skills. Brainstorming essay topics together. Proofreading their applications and essays. Helping students search for scholarships. Completing FAFSA While parents can technically apply for scholarships for their children, it’s recommended …

student life

2 Great Ways To Find A Mentor in College

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Finding a mentor can take a significant amount of time. After all, you want to make sure that you find the right person to mentor and guide you during your college years. There are several ways to find a mentor but two of the easiest are through internships and student organizations. Using Internships To Find …

questions & answers

Do Employers Care About Your ACT/SAT Score?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Most employers do not even think about checking out standardized test scores when hiring candidates. This is especially if the applicant has had some amount of work experience under their belt already. However when hiring applicants who have recently graduated and who do not have a lot of work experience, employers do not have any …