financial aid

What are financial aid refunds?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 27, 2026

Key takeaways:  A financial aid refund is money that’s left over from a financial aid package after a college tuition bill is fully paid.  Colleges will send financial aid refunds through direct deposit or check, or the student can keep it in a school account for future expenses.  Some forms of aid have restrictions on what they …

ACT & SAT

How to Help Your Student Prep for the ACT / SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Your student may have their ACT and SAT coming up and are busy studying every evening for this big exam! Even though they’re at their desk reading away or taking practice tests, there are plenty of things you can do as a parent to help them. Here are a few things you can do to …

myths

Myth: I HAVE to Answer My ACT/SAT Questions in Order

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

You may have heard it said before that you have to answer your ACT or SAT questions in exact order, but did you know that’s not exactly true? In any particular section, you can absolutely jump around from question to question! Here’s a bit of myth debunking on this so-called “fact:” Skip the Toughies Part …

ACT & SAT

Unusual ACT & SAT Test Prep Tips

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

You’ve heard all the regular ACT and SAT test prep tips: Take the practice exams and check your answers. Focus on your weak areas. So here are a few tips that are a bit more unusual when it comes to your ACT and SAT study time. Use a Distraction Add On It’s easy to get …

questions & answers

Why Are the Ivy League Schools Called the “Ivy Leagues?”

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 10, 2025

The term “Ivy League” dates back to the 1930s, when a sports writer coined the phrase. Today, the Ivy League conference consists of eight schools – Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Columbia University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, and Cornell University. Take a trip back in time with us to see what …

college search

How to create a pros and cons list for schools in your college search

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 12, 2026

Key takeaways: Create college lists to help you identify the best schools for your education and career goals. Pros and cons tables allow you to visualize how potential colleges compare to one another. Consider costs, majors, location, campus life, acceptance rates, preferences, and more to create your personalized comparison chart. Whether you’re deciding which colleges …

questions & answers

What Are “Hidden Ivies?”

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on October 15, 2025

The Hidden Ivies are colleges that have an excellent reputation and academic programs but aren’t members of the Ivy League. All eight Ivy League schools are located in the Northeastern United States, while Hidden Ivies are found all over the country. Hidden Ivies tend to have higher acceptance rates, different programs, smaller student bodies than …

college search

How To Use Your Intended Major in the College Search

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

When searching for your potential future college, there will be quite a few things you will have to keep in mind. This may include the school’s dorm rooms, the location, the size of the school, the college’s reputation, and, of course, your major. Here’s how you can use your intended major in your college search. …

ACT & SAT

The Importance of Understanding Your Mistakes on ACT/SAT Practice Tests

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

When you’re taking an SAT or ACT practice test, you’re doing it for more than just to see how many you can get right on your first try (or second or third). You should be timing yourself, but also seeing what mistakes you make and, more importantly, why you made that mistake so you can …