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.
College student smiling as she works on her laptop in a coffee shop.
financial aid

19 Great Work Study Programs

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 11, 2025
Key Takeaways Work-study jobs help pay for school and build real-world skills. Most jobs are flexible and fit around your classes. Use your school’s portal or tools like Handshake to find openings. Look for positions that match your interests or future career goals. Apply early as spots can fill up quickly! If you want to …
Students get help at an educational center
college admissions

What is the Student Support Services (SSS) for Federal TRIO?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 7, 2025
Key Takeaways: The TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program provides resources to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Projects can include academic advising, scholarships, FAFSA assistance, mentoring programs, and more. Students can apply for a SSS program by visiting their school’s website or contacting their financial aid office. Student Support Services is one of the programs under …
The ACT SAT scantron
ACT & SAT

5 Reasons You Should Still Take the ACT and SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 29, 2024
Many colleges and universities don’t require you to take the ACT or SAT to apply or be accepted. However, if your dream school lists these exams as “optional”, it may still be in your best interest to take them. If you find yourself asking, “Should I take the SAT or ACT?” here are five reasons …
Students walking around Iosue Student Union campus on a fall afternoon.
college applications

What are TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You may have not heard of them, but Educational Opportunity Centers are one part of the Federal TRIO Programs. If you’re from a disadvantaged background or area, they may be something you want to look into to ensure you’re starting your college education off on the right foot. Here is an explanation of TRIO is …
MIT is known for engineering majors. Students find a college and decide if it's a good fit for them
college majors & minors

How a Major Can Help You Find a College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Narrowing down your college list can be difficult, but paying attention to what you need or want out of a school can help you find the perfect colleges for your education. One aspect you should pay special attention to is your intended major. Here’s how a major can help you find a college: Not All …
Here are some tips on how to write a persuasive essay for the ACT
ACT & SAT

How To Make a Persuasive Essay on the ACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
During high school, you’re probably most used to writing an essay to prove a fact. You’ve probably written some though that focused on your opinion. That’s what the ACT looks for. They provide you with an essay topic where you have to write on your opinion and work on persuading the reader to see it …
Black calculator close up.
ACT & SAT

Calculator Tips for the SAT Math Section

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You should never attempt to take the SAT without a calculator, but not any old calculator will do. There are some tips and things you should keep in mind when preparing for the exam (and on the test date). Here are some calculator tips to remember for the SAT: Bring The Right Calculator Bringing the …

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