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.
Two high school seniors reading outside during summer to prep for college.
student life

5 Things Seniors Can Do This Summer to Prep For College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Congratulations on graduating high school! Though you should definitely take some time for yourself this summer, you don’t want to put off college prep too long. There are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure your first semester starts without a hitch and is less stressful overall. Here are 5 things seniors can …
A father and daughter reviewing how 529 plan affects the FAFSA
financial aid

How a 529 Plan Affects your FAFSA

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Calculating the amount of financial aid to award a student can be tricky. Many elements are connected and affect each other. One such example is 529 savings plans and the FAFSA. Your 529 plan affects your FAFSA and how much aid you can receive. Here’s a rundown of those details. What is a 529 Plan? …
College student on train tracks
college comparisons

What are Regional Exchange Universities?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When searching for your college, you may be ruling schools out because they simply cost too much, especially if they’re out of state. You might want to hold off on crossing them out though! Regional Exchange Universities or Programs can be exactly what you need to go to a school in a nearby state without …
Student with not enough hours in a day
college admissions

Can colleges revoke your admission? 7 reasons why they could

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on June 2, 2026
Key takeaways Yes, it is possible for your college admission to be revoked. Tops reasons are for poor grades, plagiarism, broken college application agreements, suspension, expulsion, or arrest, offensive online postings, missed deadlines, and false information provided to the college. If a college revokes your admission, you may be able to request an appeal. If …
A building on the University of Iowa campus.
tips tools & advice

5 Important Things to Do Before College Starts

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
It’s the summer before your college education begins – are you ready? This is an exciting but often stressful and hectic time in your life, so you want to be sure you have all your ducks in a row before heading off to your first semester! Here are 5 important things to do before college …
A person fanning out hundred dollar bills.
scholarship search & applications

How to Get the Most Scholarship Money

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Scholarships can provide much needed money when it comes to paying for your college tuition and other expenses. There are a lot of scholarships out there, for varying amounts ranging anywhere from $100 to full rides. So how can you get the most scholarship money? First, Develop a Schedule To get the most scholarship money …
Summer classes at a college.
college majors & minors

How to Use this Summer to Pick Your College Major

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
The summer is the perfect time to start doing some research into your future education! This includes your college major. While not strictly necessary, there are many benefits to knowing your major before you start college. Here are three steps to get you on the right track to use this summer to find your college …

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