Hilary Cairns

questions & answers

What is the NSHSS?

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a group for advanced students who have distinguished themselves among their peers. Students can join if they meet certain academic criteria and take advantage of several benefits, including exclusive scholarships. Keep reading to learn how you can qualify, the perks you can enjoy, and other details …
Woman holding calendar with text: How to Pick the Best SAT / ACT dates
ACT & SAT

How to change an SAT test date

Key takeaways Students can change their SAT date by canceling their existing test date and scheduling a new one. Although students will receive a registration fee refund, there is a cancellation fee. Students should cancel and reschedule their SAT if they are not prepared for the exam or if they have a scheduling conflict. As …
A father and daughter reviewing how 529 plan affects the FAFSA
financial aid

What can you do if your parents refuse to complete the FAFSA?

Key takeaways: Most college students are considered “dependents” for the FAFSA and need their parents to complete the form with them to maximize financial aid. If your parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA, talk with them first to understand their reasons and enlist the help of your guidance counselor. Explore other resources and sources …
scholarships

State Grants for Maine Students

Maine has a few different college grants available to students, and the Finance Authority of Maine website (FAME) has over 100 scholarships listed that are dedicated to residents of the state. Here are some details you’ll need to know about eligibility for these grants and scholarships! Maine College Grants 1. Maine State Grant Program The Maine …
Student on laptop applying for scholarships
scholarships

Scholarships for Returning Students

Contrary to popular belief, scholarships are not only meant for students who have recently graduated high school. Several awards are dedicated to those who decide to return to college after years or even decades! Here are just a few scholarships for returning students that you’ll want to look into. 1. Return2College Return2College is one award …
college admissions

What Happens if You Miss a College Application Deadline?

College applications should always be turned in on time. For many schools, it is impossible to turn in applications past the deadline (usually January 1st). However, mistakes, and life, happen. You may have experienced a technical issue that didn’t allow you to submit your application, you could have had an emergency, you were waiting on …
Graduating students throwing their caps in the air.
questions & answers

What To Do After Graduation

So, you’ve graduated high school – now what? Well, first off, congratulations on graduation! You’ve done a wonderful job and your whole life is ahead of you. This is a time for celebration, but it’s also a time for planning. So here are some tips and ideas on what to do after your graduate high …
scholarships

State Grants for Iowa Students

Are you graduating high school in Iowa? Or perhaps planning to attend a college in the state? Iowa offers quite a few grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities for its students. Keep reading to find out what’s available. Iowa College Grants 1. Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship For students that have a gap between …

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