Financial Aid & 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?
Melissa Brock
Writer & Blogger
My name is Melissa and I’m a longtime admission professional, personal finance writer, editor and parent of two (very!) busy kiddos. I couldn’t make it all happen without my husband, Steve.
I hatched my site because I’ve heard so many head-scratching questions from parents. I’ve journeyed in the footsteps of hundreds of families, trekked to dozens of college fairs and even weighed the (billions?) of college savings options for my own two kiddos.
What is Merit Aid? Everything You Need to Know About Merit-Based Financial Aid
When you start looking into all the different types of financial aid, your confusion level may feel like it's flying off the charts. Among the different types of financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships and work-study (the main types), merit aid is another...
Room and Board Meaning: What is Room and Board in College?
When your child compiles a college list, you'll discover that the cost analysis sheet contains many line items. Besides tuition, room and board will almost always climb to the top of the expense list. But what is the meaning of room and board? Put simply, it's a...
The Smartest Way to Pay for College: A Comprehensive Guide to Financial Planning and Budgeting
College is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth, learning and self-discovery. However, the financial aspect of higher education can often feel overwhelming. Understanding the ins and outs of college funding is crucial. When asked, "What is...
What is Financial Aid? Everything You Need to Know About College Financial Aid
What is financial aid for college? The meaning of financial aid isn't always clear to all families. In fact, many people believe that financial aid will cover the cost of college, but that's not the cost for all. In my years of admission, I've seen situations where...
How to Get In-State Tuition When You Live Out of State
Have you ever compared the tuition cost differences between in-state and out-of-state schools? Did you gasp out loud when you saw out-of-state costs? Yep, yep. It’s often thousands of dollars more expensive to go to an out-of-state university compared to an in-state...