questions & answers

Will I Be Notified If I Don’t Earn a Scholarship I Applied To?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

After applying for a scholarship, you just can’t wait for that all-important award or rejection notification to arrive informing you whether or not you won the scholarship. As time goes by, anxiety starts to creep in. You start wondering whether no notification means there is still hope or whether it means your application was not …

financial aid

What Counts As “Demonstrated Need” For Financial Aid?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on February 26, 2025

There is a common misconception in the minds of many college students: They believe they do not qualify for need-based aid based on their family’s income. But the definition of “need” is actually a little more flexible than what income bracket your parents’ finances fall into. When a college or scholarship requires you to show …

scholarship search & applications

How to Recognize The Signs Of Scholarship Scams!

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you ever give scholarship scams a second thought? Would you ever imagine that they even existed? For most students and their parents, getting scammed while exploring scholarship opportunities is unthinkable. That is, until they get scammed themselves. Getting scammed while looking for funding to realize your education dreams can be a crushing blow. The …

student loans

Student Loan Glossary

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

As you look into the different student loans available, you are likely to come across a slew of words you’ve never heard before. One loan may talk about obtaining a co-signor. Another may include options regarding amortization and capitalized interest. Yet another mentions that you can contact the bursar for further information. Not knowing what …

scholarships

Scholarships for Agricultural Majors

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

Success in agriculture has always been one of the things America takes pride in. Since the American Revolution, farmers have been held up as a symbol of self-reliance and grit. While the future of agriculture is up in the air, it will still surely exist. It also requires dedicated individuals to help push forward. Here …

financial aid

Financial Aid Timeline: Know What to Do and When

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 13, 2024

The financial aid process can be a bit daunting. Different forms of aid have different formalities, eligibility requirements, and deadlines. The key to benefiting from the various financial aid opportunities is to understand and keep track of the requirements and deadlines. Financial aid is typically distributed on a first come first served basis, so the …

myths

Myth: I Can’t Apply for Scholarships During Second Semester

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you think scholarships were only for high school students and incoming freshman? Not quite! There are actually quite a few scholarships you can apply to while you’re in college. Some of the scholarships listed below have due dates in January, designed to be applied for right during the start of your second semester of …

student loans

How to Look for Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 12, 2025

Most students find that they need to utilize multiple funding sources to pay for their college tuition. Generally, it’s best to exhaust federal aid, scholarships, then federal student loans. If you still have costs to cover after all of that, it might be time to start looking for private student loans. You have a couple …

scholarships

Scholarships for Software Engineering Majors

By Rachel KramerLast updated on December 22, 2022

Due to the rapidly increasing demand for talented software engineers across a wide range of industries, the recent uptick in the availability of scholarships for aspiring developers should hardly come as a surprise. Colleges and universities offer truly outstanding resources that make it possible for any aspiring software engineer to achieve their full professional potential …

student loans

What Does “Co-Signing” a Loan Mean?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When applying for a student loan, many lenders ask students to have a co-signer for co-signing a loan. What is a co-signer? A co-signer shares the responsibility with the student to ensure timely repayments. Essentially, if the student who is taking out the loan can not—for whatever reason—repay, it’s up to the co-signer to do …