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.
How to Save for College AND for Other Things You Really Want
I vividly remember working with a student whose dad said, “Whaddya mean, it costs $XX,XXX for my daughter to go to college? I’m not giving up golf and vacations!” He was joking, he was joking. (I think.) At any rate, I know that on some level, just about everyone can...
Do You Get Extra Financial Aid for Off-Campus Housing?
Your child may be gung-ho about experiencing all there is to soak up about residential living during his or her first year at college. On the other hand, your kid may refuse to set foot in a dorm. Maybe she doesn’t like the idea of sharing a bathroom with 30 other...
How to Help Your Teen Combat Scholarship Application Overwhelm
Can you guess the hot topic in every single admission counselor meeting? That’s right — financial aid and scholarships! I loved this part of what I liked to call my “admission spiel,” because I enjoyed helping families dive into financial aid and scholarships. ...
6 Powerful Ways to Combat Financial Stress When Your Child’s College-Bound
When your child is college-bound, financial stress is a very real thing. In fact, the financial part of sending a child off to college can be overwhelming. I spent 12 years working in college admission at my alma mater. Every so often, parents would break down...
Why Ask, “How to Get Rid of Student Loans?” 6 Reasons Why They Might Be What Your Kiddo Needs
I posted an article on social media a few days ago about student loans (How Do Student Loans Work?). Then I started thinking some more about them. About the feelings they stir up. About their purpose. And gah, how can something so boring drum up so many emotions?...