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.
Why is FAFSA Important?
This post may contain affiliate links. Oooh, friends, the FAFSA opens October 1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), used to calculate something called the expected family contribution (EFC), measures a family's financial strength and eligibility for...
What to Do When Your Parents Want to Establish College Funds for Grandchildren
I’m in awe of the things my parents say to my kids: “Sure, you can do/have/play with/buy that! And here’s an ice cream cone. And $50. Oh, and a kitten.” Whaaaaa…? I find myself wondering, “Where was that generosity when I was a kid?” Then I remember: Oh, yeah,...
Take Advantage of College Savings Month in September!
September is College Savings Month! Saving for college can seem like one of those long, arduous tasks that never ends… like figuring out what to make for dinner for the rest of your life, perpetual laundry, etc. I know there are a couple of fears out there when it...
Go for “Fit” Instead of College Selectivity: Here’s Why!
Move over, Yale and Harvard. Not everyone needs to (or should) shop for a top-name school. You can still find lots of high-quality colleges and universities among the elites. Gems glisten everywhere. Don’t discount the liberal arts college down the street...
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...