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.
Here are some good questions to ask alumni during your college search process
college search

College Search: Questions to Ask College Alumni

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
During your college search, there are quite a few things you should be doing including research into various schools, visiting the campus, and talking to students and representatives. One step some students forget about though is talking to alumni from that particular college. Your best bet is to talk to people who graduated in your …
Here are some myths you need to know about student loan refinance and consolidation
myths

Myths about Student Loan Refinance and Consolidation

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Necessary knowledge of student loans doesn’t end after you’ve applied and accepted the granted loans. After college, whether you graduate or leave early, you will be responsible for repaying those amounts so it pays to understand how to do that, which may include loan refinance and consolidation. However, there are a lot of myths floating around …
A student holding a stack of books, standing against a white board covered in writing.
scholarships

Scholarships for Students with ADD

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When searching for scholarships, it’s truly important to do your research to see what is out there. For those with learning disabilities such as ADD, you may find there are quite a few options available to you. Here are just a few scholarships you might want to consider applying for. DisABLEDperson, Inc. Scholarship Amount: $2,000 …
college search

45+ Questions to Ask College Students on Your Campus Visit

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 3, 2024
Asking current college students questions on your visit to campus can give you some unique insight into the school. Always be polite and considerate when approaching students on campus! Ask questions that are important to you and your unique college needs and wants in addition to more general ones. You know you’re supposed to compare …
Red phone handle with a cord.
student loans

How Often You Should Connect with Your Student Loan Lender

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
For the most part, after you accept a student loan, you won’t have to connect with the lender very often. However, there are a few times that contacting them will be absolutely necessary. Here are a few examples of times you should connect with your student loan lenders. To Change Contact Information Changing or updating …
One dollar bills are on top of each other.
questions & answers

How Does Divorce Affect Financial Aid Applications?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Filing out financial aid applications, more specifically the FASFA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid), can be daunting already for many students. However, with those who have divorced parents, it’s important to understand how that may affect your application and awarded financial aid. Who is Your Custodial Parent? The parent who completes the financial aid …
What do colleges look for in an application essay
college applications

What Do Colleges Look for in Application Essays?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 29, 2024
Submitting your test scores, grades, achievements, and personal essay is all part of your application checklist. Many believe that the most important factor in the decision process is school grades or admission test scores. And while these are important, your essay holds more value than you might initially think. It’s not just a formality—it’s a …

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