college search

Brandname Isn’t Always Best: Colleges That Change Lives

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

When you’re searching for your college, it’s always recommended to do some research into which school is a good fit for you. This includes taking a close look at their majors and minors, investigating their employment rate after graduation, and checking their tuition, but it can also involve taking a trip to the university to make …

affordability & college cost

Did You Know There are Exceptions to Paying Out-of-State Tuition for College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

For the most part, schools have a separate tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, with out-of-state sometimes costing as much as three times the in-state rate. Most states require you to have called the area home for at least a year to be consider a resident, but there are exceptions to this rule. Here are …

ACT & SAT

What You Need To Know About The PreACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Students have been told to take the PSAT for several years and was often used as a primer for both the ACT and SAT, even though the testing formats are different. Now, however, students can take the PreACT to prepare for the ACT test. Allows For Early Practice Taking the PreACT is a great way to …

questions & answers

Your Guide to Reapplying to College After a Rejection

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 4, 2023

Did you not receive an acceptance letter from your dream school?  Don’t fret! Reapplying to college after rejection may be an option. But, here are a few things to keep in mind and to do in the upcoming months before reapplying to college after rejection. Can You Reapply to a College After Being Rejected? In …

college admissions

What Families Need to Know About Sending Their First Child to College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Sending your child to college can be a stressful time, both for you and them. There are a lot of things to take care of from selecting the school itself to making sure all the correct books are purchased. Here are a few tasks you may have forgotten before your firstborn leaves the nest. Filing …

financial aid

What is the Pell Grant?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 26, 2023

Between scholarships, federal aid, and loans there is a lot to do before heading to college in the fall, but one thing you don’t want to forget about is the Pell Grant. It’s one more reason to complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. But what exactly is it? What Is the …

financial aid

Bad Excuses for Not Filing for Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025

No matter the reason, everyone should be filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application For Federal Student Aid, each year. Here are a few bad excuses we’ve heard students give when asked why they didn’t complete the application: I Won’t Qualify The number one reason that students or parents don’t complete the FAFSA is that …

financial advice & planning

How To Improve Your Credit Score During College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

With tests, student loans, and plenty of studying, credit scores are often forgotten during college. However, these years are a great time to start working on your score. When you graduate, if your score is strong, it will help you get the things you need, like a car or an apartment. Here are some small …

student loans

Avoid These 3 Big Student Loan Mistakes!

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 6, 2025

Obtaining student loans is one of the biggest and most expensive decisions you will ever make in your lifetime, and it is up there with purchasing a car or a house. It’s important to understand what you’re getting into, agreeing to, and what is expected of you in the years to come. Here are three …