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College Admission. Scholarships. Financial Aid. Simplified.

Want to feel in control of the college search?

1. Get Your Essential Timeline and Checklist for the College Search so you know what steps to tackle next!

2. Need College Money Tips’ expert insight on financial aid, scholarships or applications? Check out your how-to guides!

3. Get help right now with the College Visit Toolkit to help you navigate college visits this spring!

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Colleges are great at saying, “We have hundreds of scholarships available!” But that just provokes more questions: What is need-based financial aid? How do scholarships work?

Ask the Admission Office

The college search process is so exciting! But it can give you a little tummy trouble, too. Here’s everything you need to know about college visits from a parent’s perspective.

Building lasting relationships is the key to a successful college experience. And it starts the minute your child sets foot on campus. Did you know that building relationships can also impact your college money outcomes?

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Hi! I’m Melissa.

My goal is to help you along the college journey with one goal in mind: To simplify it.

Let’s go!

I’m a longtime admission professional, personal finance writer, editor, wife and parent of two (very!) busy kiddos.

I hatched my site after listening to hundreds of families’ needs and wants, trekking to dozens of college fairs. I know I have the solution to your head-scratching questions.

I know the college visit process can get simpler.

Let me show you how.

What is Considered a Private Student Loan?

Private student loans are a type of loan that undergraduate and graduate students can use to pay for college. Unlike federal student loans, which come from the federal government (the Department of Education, to be specific), private student loans come from private...

How Long Are College Tours?

How long are college tours? It's a great question when your child is getting started on the path to visiting colleges. However, understanding the answer to "how long is a college tour?" isn't as simple as it seems. Why not? First, it's important to understand...

Do You Have to Decline Admission to Colleges?

Your child may be wondering, "Do you have to decline admission to colleges?" It may not be something that they feel comfortable doing, but yes, it is customary (and thoughtful!) to let a college know that they do not plan to attend that particular school. Your...

How Long Do Admissions Officers Read Applications?

How long do admissions officers read applications? More specifically, how much time do admissions officers spend on each application? You may wonder who sees your child's application, how long they look at it and how they make a final decision. The short answer...

What Does Room and Board Include in College and What Will it Cost?

When you're taking a look at the full costs of college, room and board happens to be part of the cost of attendance. But what is room and board, exactly? What does room and board include in college? How does it fit into the overall costs? These are great questions....