financial aid

FAQs About Work-Study Programs

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 5, 2025

A work-study program is a type of financial aid that allows students with financial needs the opportunity to earn money that can be used to cover part of their educational and living expenses. It is offered to eligible students as part of their financial aid package. Do all students automatically qualify for work-study?   No, …

financial aid

Pros And Cons Of Front-Loaded Financial Aid Packages

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Financial aid for college students comes in many different forms, from grants and scholarships to work-study and study loans. Each of these financial aid forms differs in terms of eligibility requirements and maximum aid offered.  In addition, schools differ in the way that they distribute financial aid to students. Front-loading is one way that financial …

financial aid

How I Paid for College: Financial Aid in Hindsight

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025

When you’re 18, paying for college may sound like a scary prospect, especially if you know you’re going to have to take out loans. My story on how I paid for college is a bit more fortunate, but there are some things I know now that I wish I had known then. I Was Fortunate …

financial aid

How To Use Grants To Fund Your College Education

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

Grants are definitely something you should consider applying to when you are looking for ways to get free money for your college education. Grants work much the same way as scholarships in that you do not have to repay any money you receive. You can use grants to fund your college education. Keep in mind, …

financial aid

How To Maximize Your Merit-Based Financial Aid

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 24, 2025

When it comes to merit-based financial aid, students are awarded based on their academic accomplishments, special skills, and demographics. You may qualify for merit-based financial aid if you’ve earned good grades in high school, or you’ve gained special recognition for your skills in any field, or for your dedication to community service, or belong to …

financial aid

Common Mistakes Students Make With Financial Aid

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

With the cost of college tuition increasing every year, it has become uncommon for families in America to self-fund their students’ college education. Most students need at least some financial aid to help cover their tuition fees. Fortunately, there is plenty of financial aid available in the form of scholarships, grants and loans. Unfortunately, many …

financial aid

A FAFSA Mobile App May be On the Way!

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

12/21/17 No one will deny that college is an expensive investment. But what people don’t talk about nearly as often are the financial aid opportunities available to students that can make college a reality. Conversations automatically go towards student loans and the astronomical national debt, but not towards federal student aid. In fact, studies have …

financial aid

How Financial Aid And Work Study Affect Each Other

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 27, 2025

All students who submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), are awarded some sort of financial aid by the federal government. The financial aid offered is different for every student. Your package is calculated based on the information you provided on the FAFSA form.  The financial aid package typically includes a combination of scholarships, …

financial aid

Is There A Way To Increase Your Odds For More Federal & Institutional Aid?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 25, 2025

Financial aid packages are calculated using the information that you file on your FAFSA. While you definitely do not want to manipulate your financial details in an attempt to get a higher aid package, there are a few things you can do to legally increase your odds for more institutional aid. How Expensive Is College? …

financial aid

How Student And Parent Assets Affect Financial Aid

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 13, 2025

Key Takeaways: The FAFSA, CSS Profile, schools, and organizations may consider your assets when determining financial aid eligibility. Students and parents don’t have to report all types of assets, but the CSS Profile requires more information than the FAFSA. Students are expected to use more of their assets (up to 20-25%) to pay for college …