financial advice & planning

Do You Really Need A Credit Card?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Frustrating as it may sound, the answer to ‘do you really need a credit card’ is – it depends. That’s true. Whether you really need a credit card depends on a number of factors, primarily your financial goals and your spending habits. There’s no doubt a credit card offers some powerful benefits, from helping finance …

financial advice & planning, questions & answers

What Does the Student Loan Repayment Extension Mean for You?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

If you’ve got federal student loans and are following the latest updates, you’ve definitely heard about the latest student loan repayment extension. On December 21, 2021, President Biden announced that the student loan repayment pause would be extended from January 31, 2022 to May 1, 2022. The additional 90 days of no payments has students …

financial advice & planning

Saving for College: Your 2022 Strategy

By adminLast updated on February 26, 2025

With college tuition increasing every year, saving for college costs may seem like an impossible undertaking. Almost every family in America ends up taking federal and private student loans to fund college tuition. If you’re thinking taking loans and paying them back at a later date is a better strategy, think again. When you take …

financial advice & planning, financial aid

Types of financial aid to help fund your education

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 16, 2025

Key takeaways College can cost more than $38,000 per year, which puts it out of reach for many students and families. Financial aid, including loans, Work-Study, grants, scholarships, state aid, and more, can help bridge the gap between what you have and what you need. Complete the FAFSA and research financial aid awards as soon …

financial advice & planning

What is Tuition Insurance for College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

From pet insurance to health insurance, there’s quite a lot of coverage options available for different aspects of life. There’s also tuition insurance, believe it or not. Here’s a rundown of what it is, what it covers (and doesn’t cover), and how you can get a policy. What is Tuition Insurance? Some colleges and universities …

financial advice & planning

Should I Get a Work-Study or a Job in College?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Some students, when entering college, maybe trying to decide if they should work during school. There are definitely pros and cons to this approach, and you may have the option between work-study and a job. These are some considerations you should make, and some tips to help you decide between a work-study or job in …

financial advice & planning

5 Great Things to Do With Your Graduation Money

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 28, 2023

Congratulations on graduating high school! Many graduates receive money from their parents or relatives before heading off to college. Have you made plans for the money yet? If you’re not quite sure what to spend your graduation money on, here are four ideas that could prove beneficial. #1: Put the Money Towards College There’s no …

financial advice & planning

Myths About 529 College Savings Plans

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you get a 529 college savings plan for your child or relative? Considering getting one? There are a lot of myths surrounding this excellent way of financing education that need to be debunked, including these five. Myth: If My Child Doesn’t Go to College, the Money Will Be Lost One concern many parents and …

financial advice & planning

What Are Tuition Payment Plans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Tuition payment plans allows students to split their total tuition payment into equal monthly installments. This makes it easier for families to manage college expenses without breaking the bank. Some colleges may call it a tuition installment plan or deferred payment plan. This is different from a standard plan where the full tuition is spread …

financial advice & planning

How Does A 529 Plan Work?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The 529 plan is a type of savings account that’s designed to save money specifically to pay for education. The biggest benefit of this plan is that it offers tax breaks if the money is used for qualified expenses. Here’s how a 529 savings plan works and the pros and cons of this plan. What is …