financial aid

What’s the Difference Between Need-Based and Merit-Based Aid?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

College can be quite expensive, which means you’re looking for ways to afford it. As you look for aid to help pay for college, you’ll hear a lot of phrases and acronyms. These are two phrases you probably hear a lot while you’re researching scholarship and financial aid opportunities: need-based and merit-based. But what is …

student loans

Questions You Should Ask Your Private Student Loan Lender

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 3, 2025

College is pricey, which means students are looking for ways to pay for their college education. Student loans are one of many ways to pay for college—but unlike gift aid, loans have to be paid back. A private loan should only be considered after you’ve fully exhausted scholarships, grants, and federal aid programs. Even then, …

financial aid

How GPA and Test Scores Affect Financial Aid Opportunities

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on March 4, 2025

Over the course of your high school career, people have probably told you to make sure you keep your grades up. You’ve probably stressed about your standardized test scores and your GPA. Those two factors play a very large role in the college admissions process. But do better grades result in better financial aid opportunities? …

scholarship search & applications

Why Winter Break is the Perfect Time to Hunt for Scholarships

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Ah, Winter Break. A nice and necessary reprieve from the hard work of schooling, testing, and busy activities. Finals are over, you don’t have to worry about homework for a while; it’s a great time to relax and refresh. You have more free time than a typical week would allow, and you’re ready to use …

scholarships

Scholarships That Span All Four Years of College

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

The college process can be confusing for first-time families, not knowing what to expect when they send their child off to an expensive campus crawling with possibilities. One of the most complex aspects of the system is, quite simply, paying for it. For a large section of students (and their parents), it is difficult to …

financial aid

Bad Excuses for Not Filing for Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025

No matter the reason, everyone should be filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application For Federal Student Aid, each year. Here are a few bad excuses we’ve heard students give when asked why they didn’t complete the application: I Won’t Qualify The number one reason that students or parents don’t complete the FAFSA is that …

student loans

Dangers of Defaulting on Student Loans

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on March 24, 2025

Taking out student loans means eventually paying them back. Failing to make your loan payments on time can result in some pretty hefty consequences. When getting your loan, the lender sets legal terms that you sign for in a document. You also agreed to a schedule of paying back the loan. This document, the promissory …

scholarships

Scholarships for Students Who Live in Rural Areas

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 7, 2023

Cities aren’t the only places that could put you in the spotlight. Many homegrown American figures came from small towns and fly-over states. Coming from small town USA doesn’t make your dreams any smaller, or your goals any less desirable. The gateway for many rural folks’ success is enrolling in college. The problem? College is …

student loans

Avoid These 3 Big Student Loan Mistakes!

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 6, 2025

Obtaining student loans is one of the biggest and most expensive decisions you will ever make in your lifetime, and it is up there with purchasing a car or a house. It’s important to understand what you’re getting into, agreeing to, and what is expected of you in the years to come. Here are three …

student loans

How Do I Refinance a Student Loan?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

Emanuel Lasker, a chess world champion, thought of as one of the greatest of the game’s players, was once asked what basic advice he would give to beginning chess players. “When you see a good move,” Lasker replied, “look for a better one”. Even if you don’t play chess, Lasker’s advice applies to a variety …