Hilary Cairns

Hilary Cairns is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and has a BA in English/Creative Writing. She's an established freelance writer who also has a hand in marketing, social media, and editing for various businesses across the United States.
A college student looking at the sunrise, contemplating filing the FAFSA sooner rather than later.
financial aid

The Benefits of Filing the FAFSA Sooner Rather Than Later

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 26, 2021
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) recently became available for students on October 1st. Although it’s not technically due until June 30th of the year after the school year you need aid for, that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute. There’s actually very little reason to delay at all, and …
Three high school friends discuss college acceptance odds.
college search

What You Need to Know About College Acceptance Odds

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 20, 2021
When researching, you should look into how schools decide who they’ll accept. Knowing your acceptance odds at any particular college will help you determine which schools you should apply to. After all, you don’t want to apply to too many schools that are likely out of your reach. Here is what you need to know …
A college student sits on a desk, researching tuition insurance on her laptop.
financial advice & planning

What is Tuition Insurance for College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 15, 2021
From pet insurance to health insurance, there’s quite a lot of coverage options available for different aspects of life. There’s also tuition insurance, believe it or not. Here’s a rundown of what it is, what it covers (and doesn’t cover), and how you can get a policy. What is Tuition Insurance? Some colleges and universities …
A student in a lab coat performs an experiment at her research university.
college search

What is a Research University?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 15, 2021
When searching for a college to attend, you may come across the phrase “research university” as the school’s classification. What does it mean though? And how does it differ from other classifications for colleges and universities? Is it right for your education? What is a Research University? A research university is a school that focuses …
Two students standing in their liberal arts college library
college search

What is a Liberal Arts College?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 14, 2021
Have you ever seen a school called a “Liberal Arts College?” The term “liberal arts” can vary quite a bit depending on who you ask. Some even think it’s not worth getting a degree in liberal arts! However, that’s very far from the truth. There are plenty of lucrative careers that can be achieved with …
A student watches a professor on her laptop during an online class in her hybrid program.
tips tools & advice

What You Need to Know about College Hybrid Programs

By Hilary CairnsPublished on October 13, 2021
The world of higher education is always changing but has made more significant changes in the last few years due to the pandemic. You may have heard about college hybrid programs recently. Understanding what this term means and determining whether or not it’s the right type of program for you is essential. Here’s an explanation …
Student thinking about appealing his award letter
college admissions

Are Rolling Admissions Right for Me?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 26, 2021
When it comes to the college application process, you generally have quite a few options for when you can send your application in. There’s the regular decision, early action, and early decision. A fourth option that may be available to you is actually “rolling admissions.” Are you wondering: are rolling admissions right for me? Let’s …
A student writing in their notebook, sitting in front of a computer.
financial advice & planning

Should I Get a Work-Study or a Job in College?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on July 19, 2021
Some students, when entering college, maybe trying to decide if they should work during school. There are definitely pros and cons to this approach, and you may have the option between work-study and a job. These are some considerations you should make, and some tips to help you decide between a work-study or job in …