Hilary Cairns

College student with money
questions & answers

Can You Use Scholarships to Pay off Student Loans?

When you’re trying to pay off your student loans, it’s a good idea to explore all your options. Some students wonder if they can pay off their loans with scholarships. If you received a scholarship your junior year, for example, can you use it to pay off a student loan from your freshman year? The …
A student holding a stack of books with both hands.
majors & industries

What are the Easiest College Majors?

“Easy” and “hard” are subjective. However, these majors usually get pinned as the “easiest” because they have higher GPAs compared to harder majors, such as engineering or chemistry. They may also have fast track degree programs, meaning it’s easier to complete them and earn your degree in under four years. If easy isn’t for you …
A student at home on their laptop.
scholarships

What You Need to Know about Non-Traditional Scholarships

Are you heading back to school after your original education was interrupted? Or are you considering studying abroad? Some students fit the mold of “non-traditional.” Finding scholarships and grants may prove difficult for these types of students, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips, tricks, and information you need to know if you are …
Student picking a college on a map
college comparisons

Pros and Cons of Going Out-of-State for College

While you’re putting your list together of potential colleges, you may want to consider adding a few out-of-state colleges and universities. There are pros and cons that come with going out of state for college, so it’s important to weigh all your options before making a decision when you receive those acceptance letters. Here are …
A woman holding several $100 bills to pay for college
myths

Myth: I Can Fully Pay for College With a Few Scholarships

Many parents and students believe the myth that a student can fully pay for college tuition with just a few scholarships. Sadly, this is not the case. While scholarships can definitely be helpful and can go a long way towards paying tuition, it is extremely rare for it to cover the entire cost. Join us …
A student holding a pencil over a test sheet.
ACT & SAT

How to Budget for Test Prep

Whether you’re taking an SAT, an ACT, or an AP Exam, it’s going to cost you a little bit of money. It’s essential to budget for them so it doesn’t end up costing you more than it has to. There are even ways you may be able to save some cash if you feel the …
The front of a building on a college campus with trees surrounding it.
college admissions

The Benefits of Choosing to Attend a Safety School

If you applied to safety, match, and reach schools, you most likely received an acceptance letter from your safeties. Even if you received acceptance letters from other colleges, you might actually want to consider attending your safety school. Here are the benefits of choosing to attend a safety school.  You’ll Most Likely Be Ahead of …
student waitlisted by a college looking at her watch
college admissions

What To Do If You’re Waitlisted by a College

Getting waitlisted by a college can be disappointing, but remember it’s not a rejection. It also gives you a chance to reassess your college choices and decide the best route for you for the next four (or so) years. Here’s what to do if you’re waitlisted by a college. Step #1: Decide If You Want …
Group of people working on a project
college admissions

Narrowing College Lists: Consider an Outside Perspective

When crafting your college list, you’re usually talking to people in your “inner circle” including your immediate family and your friends. However, when you’re narrowing down your school choices, you may want to go outside of this zone a little bit and consider some other perspectives. Here are some people you can talk to about …

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