questions & answers

How To Graduate College in 3 Years

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 20, 2024

For students on a strict budget or those who want to enter the workforce a bit faster, completing your bachelor’s degree in 3 years can be enticing. It is possible to complete your bachelor’s degree and graduate college in 3 years, but it takes solid planning and forethought. Here are some things you should consider …

student loans

What To Do If Your Lender Closes

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 6, 2025

If you have a student loan with a lender who is closing, you still need to make payments on the loan. Make sure to check your mail or email from your old lender to find out what, if any steps, you need to take next. Your old lender will likely sell your loan to a …

college admissions

High School Graduation Requirements: What You Need Before May

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 8, 2024

Congratulations, you’re a senior in high school and your graduation is on the horizon. While you should use this time to celebrate your achievements (and avoid senioritis), there are a few requirements you’ll need to take care of for high school graduation in May or June to receive your diploma on time. Let’s take a …

careers & internships

What is a Practicum?

By Hilary CairnsPublished on February 8, 2024

If you’re aiming for a certification during your college experience or when you’re getting ready to enter the career field, you might find that a practicum is necessary. But what is it? In short, a practicum is a program where you will apply what you have learned in a classroom setting in the field. They …

student life

How To Get the Most Out of Your 8 AM Classes

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 2, 2024

If you start searching on Google about 8 AM classes, one of the first autocomplete suggestions that pops up is “8 am classes should be illegal.” Many college students hate 8 am classes, and for good reason. The student may have an evening class that makes getting up at the crack of dawn difficult. Or …

scholarship search & applications

How to Safely Apply and Search For Scholarships Online

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 29, 2024

Scholarships are a great way to save money on college tuition and fees. When you apply for scholarships online, look for red flags including: required payments, “guaranteed” awards, sales seminars, and unsecured websites. Using reputable databases can help students and their families avoid scholarship scams. Scholarships are a great way to make college more affordable …

college search

A Quiz to Find Your Perfect College Match

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 29, 2024

There are around 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. What if there was an easy quiz that would match you with the perfect college? We have good news — there is! College Raptor’s College Match tool is a resource that will help you find the best colleges and universities in the United States …

college search

College Raptor: Your One-Stop Shop for College Planning

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025

College Raptor’s Toolset: College Match Tool – Find the best fit school for you. Scholarship Search Tool – Find FREE money* to help pay for college. Career Finder – Explore 1,000s of careers. Majors Search – Discover degrees that you can pursue. Financial Aid comparison Tool – Compare offer letters. Student Loan Calculator – Estimate …

questions & answers

What to Expect as a D1 Athlete

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 14, 2025

  Key Takeaways A D1 athlete is a highly skilled college athlete playing at the most competitive NCAA level. D1 athletes must balance intense schedules, academic performance, and high expectations. D1, D2, and D3 differ in terms of athletic budgets, scholarship availability, and time commitment. Athletic scholarships are available at D1 and D2, but many …