All Paying for college Articles

Dollar bills stacked on top of each other.
student loans

Can GPA Affect My Ability to Get a Student Loan?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
After exhausting their financial aid opportunities for scholarships, grants, and work studies, many students turn to take out a loan. There are a host of things that affect students’ chances of earning a student loan, and GPA is definitely one of them. So in short: Yes. In terms of Federal Student loans (which should be …
Here are two kinds of scholarships
scholarship search & applications

The Two Kinds of Scholarships

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
When financial aid is concerned, it’s important to explore every opportunity available—and thoroughly! Scholarships are, perhaps, the most ideal way to pay for a college education. Since scholarships fall under the category of “gift-aid” they do not have to be paid back, unlike student loans. So essentially, scholarships are free money. There are primarily two …
A close-up shot of a chess set.
scholarships

Scholarships for Chess Players

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022
The famed German writer Johan Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game”. The metaphor of chess-as-life repeats many times over history, but the basic idea remains the same. The game, which revolves around sacrifices of certain pieces to strike …
Scattered 100 dollar bills.
student loans

Will Taking Out a Student Loan Hurt My Credit Score?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022
The college application process is important for a myriad reasons, one of the most important being that it provides practice for something you’ll have to do for the rest of your life: figure out how you’ll pay for something. Upon graduation, young adults find themselves leasing cars, apartments, and houses, but the first of these …
questions & answers

Can A Scholarship Expire?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When applying for a scholarship (or after you’ve been awarded one), it’s important to understand how their specific terms and how they work. One question you might be asking yourself is “Can they expire?” Here’s what you need to know about expiration dates and your scholarship: Can They Expire? Some students who win scholarships wonder …
Working a government or nonprofit job, like a firefighter, is one way to qualify for student loan forgiveness
student loans

How Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Works

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
With the cost of college tuition becoming more expensive every year, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for students to realize their higher education dreams without taking a loan. However, while this solves one problem it does create another in that students bear the burden of having to return that loan with a huge interest …
A student sitting at a table with a tablet.
financial aid

What Happens to Financial Aid for Transfer Students?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 4, 2023
According to the National Student Clearinghouse, about 33% of students choose to transfer schools at least once within their collegiate career. While transferring schools may make you happier in the long run, it’s no easy task, and shouldn’t be done lightly. In fact, a big consideration transfer students might forget about in the shuffle is …
A red gummy bear among clear gummy bears.
financial aid

Common Mistakes Students Make On Their FAFSA Application

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) gives you access to different types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans. Making a mistake on your FAFSA application can cost you money. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon. Every year, hundreds of students lose out on their entitled financial aid because they made mistakes on …
scholarship search & applications

Questions To Ask Your Scholarship Provider

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Don’t know something? Ask! It’s always important to seek clarification to confirm or clear up confusion. This rings especially true when dealing with financial aid and your future college education. So if you have questions surrounding a scholarship, best ask the provider themselves! Here are a few things you should definitely clarify: How much is …