Blog | College Planning Team

Why Families May Want To Consider Asset Repositioning Strategies To Reduce College Costs

About 20% of middle-income families will qualify for need-based aid that is higher than their merit scholarship. It often makes sense for these families to consider asset repositioning strategies to reduce their EFC so they are able to capture the additional gift aid that may be available to them. Upper middle-income families, especially those that will have more than one child in college at the same time, can also benefit from this strategy—especially if their student is headed to an…

How To Research Colleges

Deciding to attend college is one of the biggest decisions you'll make during your life. Hence, it shouldn't be taken lightly. Rather, it should be researched earnestly and thoroughly. As a starting point for how to research colleges, you should think of what interests you, what makes your heart sing, and what would be fun to do as a lifetime job. However, there are many other factors to consider as well which we'll address in full below. How To Research…

How To Save Money For College Tuition

“And as with any investment, but especially with college savings plans, it's always best to begin putting aside money as soon as you can.” This tagline from U.S. News says it all. It doesn’t matter what you put your money into to save for college — starting as early as possible is universally the best decision you can make. But, when exactly should your financial plan begin for funding college? Ideally, it's best to start when you're thinking about having children.…

Is It Better To Live On Or Off Campus?

May 31, 2022
Joanne Leone
Campus Life

It would seem that there are only two choices of where to live during college. So, the final decision should be an easy one, right? Well, there are several factors to consider when trying to pick on-campus or off-campus housing. The wrong decision could affect your credit rating, your stress level, and the rest of your life - but don't worry, we're here to help! Below we'll provide both the pros and cons of each situation to help you decide…

Expert Tips On How To Pay Off College Debt Fast

You thought you finally had peace of mind because you graduated from college, but now the weight of the debt you incurred feels like a mountain on your shoulders. How can you pay this money off faster and still remain relatively sane? Here are tips from 3 experts on how to pay off college debt fast. We hope this helps! How To Pay Off College Debt Fast - Advice From 3 Experts Kayla Matthews, Dumb Little Man According to author…

What Are Junior Colleges And Why Do Some Students Go There First?

Whenever I go to my grandma’s house, I hear her use words that are old-fashioned (yet adorable!) such as icebox instead of fridge, or neat instead of cool. When someone uses the term junior college instead of community college, I’m reminded of my grandma - using a word that is technically correct, but out of fashion. So, what are junior colleges, and why do some students attend them over universities? I'll answer that question in full below and explain why…

What Looks Good On A College Application?

If your child is planning on attending college after they graduate high school, it’s important to get an early start on academic preparation. It’s pretty hard to boost a 2.5 GPA to a 3.5 when you have only one year left. But academics aren’t the only consideration in college admissions. While there is no specific combination of factors that will guarantee your student a spot at their preferred college, a survey compiled by the National Association for College Admission Counseling reports…

What Happens If You Fail An AP Exam?

In the first 2 weeks of May, students around the U.S. brave the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam process, with over 35% of high school students nationwide taking the exams. If your child just finished taking their AP exams or is pondering taking AP classes in the next few years, you may be doing a risk-benefit analysis in your mind. Some students who consider AP courses feel worried about what would happen if they fail an AP exam, but…

National College Decision Day: Ready Or Not, Here It Comes!

For many high school seniors and their families, the end of April feels like it’s near the end of a long (possibly sweaty) but rewarding hike. May is the summit of 4 long years with final exams, AP tests, and the all-important senior activities to enjoy the end of the journey. But what will the end of the journey bring? What Is National College Decision Day? This Sunday, May 1st is known across the U.S. as College Decision Day 2022…

How Many Scholarships Should You Apply For?

April 26, 2022
Kate Kaushal
Scholarships

College finances are all over the news and it’s not a secret that many people are saddled with the burden of student loans. Scholarships, although desirable, seem to have their own secret mystery about them... How do you find them? How do you win them? How many should your child apply for? There’s no perfect number of scholarship applications. The answer is a very unsatisfying “it depends”. As a college counselor for many years, I’ve seen students apply to over…