For Colleges & Universities
For Colleges & Universities

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.
student loans

What is the student loan rehabilitation program?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 24, 2026
Key takeaways The student loan rehabilitation program is for federal borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans, and completing the program gets you out of default. Most federal borrowers in default can sign up for the program through the U.S Department of Education (ED) Default Resolution Group (DRG). If approved, you need to make …
Application-fees
college applications

What You Need To Know About College Application Fees

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 5, 2024
Key Takeaways: The average undergraduate college application fee is about $47, but fees vary by college. College application fees range from $0 – $500, but most cost within the $30-$90 range. In addition to the application fee itself, you may incur other application related expenses like test registration costs (AP, SAT/ACT), fees for pulling transcripts, …
scholarship search & applications, scholarships

How To Find Merit Scholarships You Can Qualify For

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2023
Academic and athletic scholarships are the two biggest merit scholarship categories, but they aren’t the only ones. Merit scholarships also encompass all scholarships that you are eligible for based on the sponsor’s criteria and they do not take financial need into consideration. Doing a general search for merit scholarships can throw up thousands of opportunities. …
Two high school girls visiting a college before applying to it.
college search

The Benefits of Visiting a College Before Applying

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022
 College visits are an essential part of the selection process. After all, it’s one thing to read about a school on paper, and another thing entirely to actually stand on the campus. These visits give students an in-person look at the school, campus, town, and overall atmosphere. Though college visits have decreased recently, primarily due …
A student reads a book while a laptop rests on her legs as she studies for the SAT and ACT
ACT & SAT

How to Prep for the SAT and ACT At the Same Time

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 22, 2024
Are you considering taking the SAT and the ACT? It is possible to prep for both tests at the same time, but you’ll need a game plan. Follow these tips to create a stress-free strategy that sets you up for success on exam days. 1. Consider Your Schedule and Goals Before you commit to taking …
A white building on a college campus.
college applications

How Big Should My College List Be?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
It’s a good idea to apply to more than one college during your senior year of high school, but should you stop at 2? What’s the recommended amount of colleges you should apply to? And how do you narrow down a larger list? If you find yourself asking the question “how big should my college …

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