Analyze Your Award Letter Before You Accept It!

Analyze Your Award Letter Before You Accept It!

Some colleges and universities are already sending out financial aid award letters for 2018/2019. That’s great news! After all, you’ve worked hard, and it’s time you reap the rewards of that hard work. But before you sign and return that award letter, it’s essential to look at it with a critical eye.   As we wrote in a previous blog, analyzing your award letters can be a complicated process, but it’s well worth your time. Is your offer clear and easy to…

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46% Of IL Families Didn’t Fill Out The FAFSA!

46% of IL Families Didn’t Fill Out the FAFSA!

There’s a lot of paperwork to be completed in preparation for the college application and admission process, so who could blame anyone for overlooking one form or another. But not filling out the FAFSA could cost your family thousands of dollars in free money for school. Does This Sound Familiar? Families often state many reasons why they don’t complete a FAFSA: “We earn too much income to qualify for aid.” “A FAFSA is only for government grants and loans.” “It’s…

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Make Social Media Work For You!

Make Social Media Work for You!

There are many tips and articles on what you should not post on social media and the Internet, but let’s consider some ways that social media can be used in a positive way. LinkedIn LinkedIn is not only for your parents. This social media tool is an excellent way for you to promote yourself. More and more students are using this site to share their work experience, their successes, and resources as well as finding a job. Start connecting with…

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Greek Life: Is It For You?

Greek Life: Is it for You?

You might know already know if Greek life is - or is not - the right choice for you. But, if you are like many college students you just aren't sure. Joining a sorority or a fraternity has pros and cons. On the plus side, there are parties, immediate friend connections, possibly a place to live as an upperclassman, and a lifetime of memories to be made. But joining a Greek organization also means additional fees, extra commitments and activities,…

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Freshman Year For Free!

Freshman Year for Free!

The name itself sounds appealing to anyone looking to cut the cost of college—the “Freshman Year for Free” program. Launched in August 2017 by Modern States Educational Alliance, the program provides more than 40 free online courses taught by top professors from top schools. Once students complete a course, they take an AP or CLEP exam giving them the opportunity to earn traditional academic credits at more than 2,900 major colleges and universities. We asked Steve Klinsky, founder and CEO of Modern States…

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Getting College Credit For Prior Learning

Getting College Credit for Prior Learning

Having college credits before you even finish your first semester on campus is a great way to save money. Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is helping students do just that with its Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) program. Since the program’s launch in January 2016, about 100 students have earned a combined total of more than 350 credits through CPL. Administrators expect the program to expand in the coming semesters. We asked Alverno’s Rosland Briggs-Gammon, assessment coordinator and coach,  Assessment…

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Freshman Year Of College For Free?

Freshman Year of College for Free?

College for Free? As any family can attest, it takes a lot of time, effort, and attention to detail in order to successfully navigate the college admissions and student loan applications processes. So it’s easy to overlook valuable programs and resources that can really help families meet their overall college costs by actually making freshman year of college free! Learn and Earn While most  families know about Advanced Placement or AP courses and exams, there’s another often forgotten avenue to…

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A Gap Year Can Save You A Boatload

A Gap Year Can Save You A Boatload

As the number of kids who graduate high school and go on to college increases, the number of kids who choose to complete a gap year increases, too. Gap years have been common overseas for years. Their popularity, which has been relatively low here in the U.S. is changing, and quickly. The most recent high-profile student taking a gap year was President Barack Obama’s daughter Malia. She’s beginning her freshman year at Harvard University after spending a year interning. What…

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Don’t Count On Public Universities To Fill Need-Based Aid!

Don’t Count on Public Universities to Fill Need-Based Aid!

Once upon a time, a student in need of financial aid who applied to colleges and universities could be reasonably confident that a need-based aid package would be offered. He or she would receive an amount that would bridge the gap between tuition fees and family finances. Not any longer, unfortunately. These days, students can no longer count on having their documented financial needs met by public colleges and universities. It’s Not Just One State Before anyone thinks that this…

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Greek Life: Is It For You?

Greek Life: Is It For You?

  You might know already know if Greek life is - or is not - the right choice for you. But, if you are like many college students you just aren't sure. Joining a sorority or a fraternity has pros and cons. On the plus side, there are parties, immediate friend connections, possibly a place to live as an upperclassman, and a lifetime of memories to be made. But joining a Greek organization also means additional fees, extra commitments and…

Read More