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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.
Graduating students in red robes and caps sitting together.
financial advice & planning

5 Great Things to Do With Your Graduation Money

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 28, 2023
Congratulations on graduating high school! Many graduates receive money from their parents or relatives before heading off to college. Have you made plans for the money yet? If you’re not quite sure what to spend your graduation money on, here are four ideas that could prove beneficial. #1: Put the Money Towards College There’s no …
College student researching financial aid on her laptop at campus.
scholarships

What can I use scholarship money for and how do I use it?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 4, 2025
Key Takeaways: Scholarships can cover many education-related costs, including tuition, room and board, and supplies. Some organizations restrict how you can use scholarship money, limiting you to tuition or a similar expense. Always read over the terms before accepting an award to better understand how to spend the money and how you’ll receive it. Scholarships …
High school student playing soccer as an extracurricular activity
majors & industries

Undergraduate Majors for a Physical Therapy Career

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Thinking about becoming a physical therapist? Although you need a Doctoral of Physical Therapy (DPT), your education needs to start somewhere. This is a competitive field and growing, so a good undergraduate degree can help you get into top schools and give you a foundation needed for success. Here are just undergraduate majors for a …
Student thinking about offer letters
financial aid

What You Should Know about Front-Loaded Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Many students rely on financial aid in order to attend college, but. While researching financial aid, you may have come across the term “front-loaded.” But what is it? Is it good or bad? Are there other options available? Here’s what you need to know about this front-loaded financial aid. What is Front-Loaded Financial Aid? Front-loaded …
A dentist considering her undergraduate major
majors & industries

Great Undergraduate Majors for a Dental Career

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you’re hoping to pursue a dental career, you’ll definitely want to consider these undergraduate majors. For a majority of careers in dentistry, you will need more education after your Bachelor’s degree, but these options can be a great start to your education and career. Pre-Dentistry A given, pre-dentistry can be an excellent option for …
Parents playing in moving boxes with their daughter. They're thinking about 529 savings plans for her future education.
financial advice & planning

Myths About 529 College Savings Plans

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Did you get a 529 college savings plan for your child or relative? Considering getting one? There are a lot of myths surrounding this excellent way of financing education that need to be debunked, including these five. Myth: If My Child Doesn’t Go to College, the Money Will Be Lost One concern many parents and …
A student getting a Covid-19 vaccine as required by her college
student life

Are Colleges Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 21, 2022
If you’re getting ready to attend college in the fall, you may have to get a few vaccinations before the first semester. MMR and HPV are two common ones that are already requested by colleges. You may be wondering though – are colleges requiring COVID-19 vaccinations? It Depends on the State Whether or not your …

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