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.
Here are some nursing scholarships you should consider
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 …
Tired student sleeping during 8 am classes
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 …
Student to apply for scholarships online.
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 …
Sample of output of college match quiz.
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 …
Infographic that displays College Raptor's planning tools and resources.
college search

College Raptor: Your One-Stop Shop for College Planning

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 2, 2024
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 Finder – Find …
D3 football game
questions & answers

What to Expect as a D1 Athlete

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 17, 2024
If you’re an elite athlete at your high school, you may just be recruited to a D1 athletic college program. This can be an exciting prospect, but it’s important to understand what to expect if you decide to accept their offer! We’ve highlighted some of the things you should know below. What is a D1 …
college search

Colleges in Washington DC

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 17, 2024
If you’re not quite sure about where you want to go to school yet, you might just want to consider our nation’s capital: Washington DC. This area has plenty to offer curious students who are looking to be constantly learning and having fun. DC is also home to some of the best colleges in the …
Hidden Gems in the Northeast - Trinity Washington University
financial aid

State Grants for Washington DC College Students

By Hilary CairnsPublished on January 11, 2024
Do you live in Washington DC and plan on staying in the area for college? There are several state grants dedicated to students in the DC area, even for those who are planning on leaving the city to attend college in another state! Below, we’ve outlined some of the grants the country’s capital offers and …