Connecting With $1,000 Scholarship Winner, Terry N.

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 21, 2026

$1,000 scholarship winner Terry is an engineering student and ROTC member on his campus. His strong work ethic and drive carried into his college search where he used College Raptor to explore options, learn more about potential schools, and utilized our free tools to support him along the way.  College Raptor: What College Raptor tool …

College Raptor Helped Amen Build a Strong Foundation for His Future

By College Raptor StaffPublished on October 19, 2026

$2,500 scholarship winner Amen Martin Obanor has always been captivated by robotics and the possibilities of STEM. Movies and pop culture, including characters like Baymax and WALL-E, helped spark his interest in what robots can do and how engineering can be used to make people’s lives better. He knew his next step was to pursue …

College Raptor Announces 2027 College Rankings

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on September 11, 2026

College Raptor’s twelfth annual college rankings focus on colleges with the highest long-term value Every parent wants to help their child choose a college that will be worth the investment. The challenge is knowing which schools are most likely to deliver. Citizens is helping families answer that question through College Raptor, it’s college planning platform,  …

Karen’s Story: Navigating the Application Process with a Village

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 6, 2026

College Raptor Scholarship winner Karen knows firsthand that applying to college is a team effort. She shared that she received support from both her parents and her school guidance counselor throughout the process.  “As a family, we went through the different options I would have in the future,” Karen explained. “We specifically discussed what schools …

Michayla’s Journey as a Self-Supporting College Student

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 4, 2026

Every college student’s financial journey looks different. For $1,000 College Raptor Scholarship winner Michayla, navigating college means taking full ownership of her finances while balancing a demanding academic schedule. Michayla is a senior at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, where she is studying engineering. She started her college journey as a member of ROTC, which …

From High School to Higher Education: How Smart Planning Is Helping Sidney Reach Her Dream Career

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 4, 2026

For many students, the college application process can feel overwhelming, especially when balancing big dreams with real financial considerations. High school senior Sidney from California is a firsthand example of this situation. With aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, Sidney has spent the past few years navigating college applications, financial aid, and scholarships. Sidney shared that …

The College Match Tool Helped Tristen Find the Right Campus Energy

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 4, 2026

There’s a lot to consider when starting the college search journey. College Raptor’s $2,500 Scholarship winner Tristen shared his top three priorities: Program Affordability Campus environment Third was certainly not least. For Tristen, a university’s “energy” was especially important. He shared that the places and opportunities around the college contributed to its overall vibe. That …

The Road to College Is Paved with Smart Financial Choices

By College Raptor StaffPublished on December 1, 2025

Throughout the college search process, finances can often create barriers for many students. College Raptor scholarship winner and first-year Stanford University student Addison knows firsthand how navigating finances plays a vital role on the road to your dream school. Addison spoke with her guardians before applying to school to gain an understanding of where she …

Sofia Finds Her Perfect Fit with College Raptor’s Top Lists

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 1, 2025

When scholarship winner Sofia began her college search, she turned to College Raptor’s ranking lists for guidance. “It really helped me to look at College Raptor’s lists and see which colleges were better at different things in different categories,” said Sofia, now a first-year at the University of Washington. Sofia found the University of Washington …

College Raptor Helped Connor Rank What Really Matters and Find the Right College

By College Raptor StaffPublished on November 3, 2025

When first-year marketing student Connor began exploring colleges, he turned to College Raptor’s tools to help identify what mattered most to him. At the top of his list were campus resources, followed closely by cost. Reflecting on his first priority, he explained, “Resources are so important because not only do they help prepare you for …