questions & answers

Does Applying for Financial Aid for College Affect Admission Odds?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 29, 2024

Applying for financial aid for college may make you wonder: “Does applying for financial aid affect admission?” Many worry that asking for help might hurt their chances. But the truth is, colleges look at many things when deciding who to admit. So, it’s not easy to say if it helps or not. Let’s dive into …

questions & answers

Is There Any Way To Guarantee That We Can Get A College Scholarship?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

When it comes to college scholarships, there are no 100% guarantees as schools take into consideration several factors before they make any decision. However, there is one thing you can do to boost your chances significantly—get good grades. It’s true—while colleges across the U.S. offer scholarships for accomplishments in areas that range from athletics and …

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Can Scholarship Funds be Used on Expenses Other than Tuition?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

The cost of college includes a lot more than just simply tuition—there’s housing to consider, groceries, school supplies, text books, etc. So, to cover those costs wouldn’t it be great if you could use the scholarship awards you’ve earned to pay for them? To answer the title of this article: Yes, but only if the …

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Why Do Some Scholarships Require Interviews?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

No two scholarships are quite the same. In fact, it is all the varying scholarships available to students that make them so accessible. From need-based scholarships to random scholarships designated only by a student’s skillset and values, students have plenty of scholarships to choose from. There is a scholarship-or three-for every student, but it is …

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Who Can Qualify for Federal Student Financial Aid?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you know the biggest sponsor of scholarships and grants is actually the federal government? Or that they offer student loans with adaptable repayment plans? In fact, utilizing the government’s student aid is one of the best ways to help pay for college! Their student aid programs include grants, work-study funds, and student loans. But …

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Will I Be Notified If I Don’t Earn a Scholarship I Applied To?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

After applying for a scholarship, you just can’t wait for that all-important award or rejection notification to arrive informing you whether or not you won the scholarship. As time goes by, anxiety starts to creep in. You start wondering whether no notification means there is still hope or whether it means your application was not …

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Should I Apply to One Big Scholarship or Many Smaller Scholarships?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many of us dream about having enough money to pay for all of college’s expenses. You know what I’m talking about: Buy that car, get a new computer, pay tuition. And to many of us, working toward a larger reward or a big scholarship so we can do it faster makes more sense. One big scholarship …

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What’s the Difference Between an Independent and Dependent Student?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

When you go to fill out your FAFSA form for federal financial aid, one thing you will have to determine is if you’re a dependent or an independent student. This is crucial as it will affect how much money you can receive from the Department of Education. An Independent Student You must meet multiple criteria …

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What are PLUS Loans?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

Despite what they say, many parents secretly dread the day their child walks out the door to head away to college. This is an emotionally trying time for both parents and their burgeoning students, even for the most experienced at sending kids to school. As the elder child in my family, I was the pioneer …

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Should I Hire a Financial Advisor for College?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

There is no doubt that your college tuition payment method is one of the more important financial decisions you will make in your life. Prior to leaving for college, most students do not have experience in financial decision-making. Personally, before I left my parents’ house to attend college, the largest thing I’d ever paid for …