Hilary Cairns

Hilary Cairns is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and has a BA in English/Creative Writing. She's an established freelance writer who also has a hand in marketing, social media, and editing for various businesses across the United States.
Student thinking about offer letters
financial aid

What You Should Know about Front-Loaded Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Many students rely on financial aid in order to attend college, but. While researching financial aid, you may have come across the term “front-loaded.” But what is it? Is it good or bad? Are there other options available? Here’s what you need to know about this front-loaded financial aid. What is Front-Loaded Financial Aid? Front-loaded …
A dentist considering her undergraduate major
majors & industries

Great Undergraduate Majors for a Dental Career

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you’re hoping to pursue a dental career, you’ll definitely want to consider these undergraduate majors. For a majority of careers in dentistry, you will need more education after your Bachelor’s degree, but these options can be a great start to your education and career. Pre-Dentistry A given, pre-dentistry can be an excellent option for …
Parents playing in moving boxes with their daughter. They're thinking about 529 savings plans for her future education.
financial advice & planning

Myths About 529 College Savings Plans

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Did you get a 529 college savings plan for your child or relative? Considering getting one? There are a lot of myths surrounding this excellent way of financing education that need to be debunked, including these five. Myth: If My Child Doesn’t Go to College, the Money Will Be Lost One concern many parents and …
A student getting a Covid-19 vaccine as required by her college
student life

Are Colleges Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022
If you’re getting ready to attend college in the fall, you may have to get a few vaccinations before the first semester. MMR and HPV are two common ones that are already requested by colleges. You may be wondering though – are colleges requiring COVID-19 vaccinations? It Depends on the State Whether or not your …
Two high school seniors reading outside during summer to prep for college.
student life

5 Things Seniors Can Do This Summer to Prep For College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Congratulations on graduating high school! Though you should definitely take some time for yourself this summer, you don’t want to put off college prep too long. There are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure your first semester starts without a hitch and is less stressful overall. Here are 5 things seniors can …
A father and daughter reviewing how 529 plan affects the FAFSA
financial aid

How a 529 Plan Affects your FAFSA

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Calculating the amount of financial aid to award a student can be tricky. Many elements are connected and affect each other. One such example is 529 savings plans and the FAFSA. Your 529 plan affects your FAFSA and how much aid you can receive. Here’s a rundown of those details. What is a 529 Plan? …
College student's alarm clock sitting on a desk.
scholarship search & applications

Am I Too Late to Apply To Scholarships?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2023
Whether you’ve just graduated high school or you’re a sophomore in college, you may be asking yourself: “Am I too late to apply to scholarships?” The short answer is, “No, you’re not.” The long answer is, “It depends on the specific award.” Here’s what you need to know though about scholarships as you go through …

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