College Raptor Staff

Essay papers - there are things to avoid on the ACT essay
ACT & SAT

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid in the ACT Essay

You know what you need to focus on, but do you know which things to avoid in the ACT essay? Sometimes during the ACT the essay section, students inadvertently do things that cause them to lose points. Luckily many of the mistakes are easy to avoid if you know about them. Here are some things …
A pile of money - it begs the question how much can you take out in private student loans?
student loans

How Much Can You Take Out In Private Student Loans?

College is expensive. On top of tuition and board, a student needs to worry about balancing funds for food, college activities and other extra spending. After scholarships and grants, student loans can at least help cover the cost of tuition. Most federal student loans have limits in how much you can take out, but what …
university courses
questions & answers

Do AP Test Scores Affect Your Acceptance Odds?

If you’re taking AP classes, you may be wondering “Do AP scores affect acceptance odds for colleges?” Here’s a rundown of whether or not they affect your chances of admission and why AP courses can help in your college education. Do AP University Courses Scores Affect Admission to Colleges? Actually, AP scores don’t affect admission …
Homophones are the bane of most students.
ACT & SAT

It’s all about the Homophones, Right? (or is it Write?)

Key Takeaways Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings, so it’s extremely important to understand their usage and context. Homophones are often challenging because of how much they sound alike, their different spelling variations, the confusing sound-to-letter relationship, and different types like homographs. From their/they’re/there to affect/effect and it’s/its, …
average student loan payment
student loans

Where to Begin with Your Student Loan Repayments

Paying off your student loans can become challenging very quickly as you juggle multiple loan payments every month. The only way to stay on top of it and avoid the risk of getting into default is by making a plan that works for you. Wondering where to begin? Here’s a step-by-step plan that will help …
Quarter - if you set scholarship goals you can save much more than 25 cents
scholarship search & applications

7 Tips for Setting Goals for Scholarships

Scholarships are competitive – and time-consuming. Between the searching, essay writing, interviews, and submissions, it can get pretty overwhelming. But setting goals for scholarships can help you tackle this massive project and potentially get some free money for college! When it comes down to it, scholarships are a great way to pay for college. They’re …
South Dakota State University - tuition is something to consider when deciding between in-state or out-of-state colleges
college search

In-State vs Out-Of-State Tuition: Picking the Right School for You

In most cases, in-state tuition is much less than out-of-state college costs. On average, tuition for a public 4-year in-state school cost $9,750 in 2022-23 vs $28,297 for out-of-state tuition. Scholarships, reciprocity programs, and other financial aid packages can reduce the cost of tuition. When researching colleges, students often consider the proximity to home. Some …
Two beige tags with pink and blue corners against a blue background.
student loans

What Are Private Student Loan Interest Rate Discounts?

While private student loans typically have much higher rates of interest as compared to federal student loans, private lenders often offer a discount on a student loan interest rate if you meet their qualifying criteria. These are some of the private student loan interest rate discounts that you may qualify for: Auto-Debit Student Loan Interest …

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