scholarship search & applications

10 Interesting Scholarship Facts & Stats

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 5, 2024

Scholarships are free money* that the federal government, colleges and organizations of all sizes offer students to help pay for college. Scholarships may be awarded for academic accomplishments, athletic achievements, community service, ethnicity, or a number of other reasons. Some scholarships are one-time only while others are recurring. Scholarships are a great way to help …

financial aid

How to find financial aid for college: 6 strategies for middle-class families

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 23, 2026

Key takeaways: While most middle-class families won’t qualify for the full Pell Grant amount, there are other sources of financial aid that can make college more affordable. To maximize financial aid, complete the FAFSA each year, apply for scholarships, and don’t rule out private colleges. You can further lower the cost of college by attending …

scholarship search & applications

Scholarship Statistics: Where Most College Scholarships Come From (INFOGRAPHIC)

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Let’s talk about college scholarship statistics. You’ve probably heard about them from your high school counselors, parents, and potential colleges, but what exactly are they? What do they do? How do they help? What is a scholarship? Essentially, scholarships award students “free money” to cover parts of their college education. Students don’t need to pay …

questions & answers

What Happens if Students Save $1,000 Per Year on College

By Allison WignallLast updated on May 30, 2024

Let’s play a game of “what if” — what if every student (pursuing a bachelor’s degree) got an extra $1,000 per year for four years? Maybe it was through a grant, maybe a scholarship, or maybe books and supplies didn’t cost as much. Whatever the reason, in this hypothetical query each student $1,000 — a …

questions & answers

What is a Net Price Calculator?

By Lynell EngelmyerLast updated on December 22, 2022

We all know that the sticker price for college is shocking. How many of us can actually write an annual check for $20,000, $40,000, $60,000 or more? That’s where the net price calculator comes into play. But what is a net price calculator? The difference between net price and sticker price The good news is …

financial advice & planning

How to Reduce Tuition Costs for Out-of-State Students

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

The biggest drawback of attending an out-of-state public institution for many students is that you will be paying a higher price tag than your classmates who are from the state. So, how to reduce tuition costs you might ask? While attending a state school as an out-of-state student isn’t right for every student, if the …

myths

5 Myths About College Costs & Financial Aid Every Parent Needs to Know

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025

When it comes to the cost of college, there are a lot of myths out there. Many times, these myths can scare students and families away from colleges that might have been very affordable, or even cost that family thousands of dollars in lost financial aid opportunities. Understanding how both the cost of college and financial …

financial aid

Financial Aid and Unique Family Circumstances: How to Let Colleges Know About Your Financial Situation

By Lynell EngelmyerLast updated on December 22, 2022

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the federal government’s attempt to put every American family on a level playing field in an effort to award aid fairly. What happens, however, when the FAFSA does not adequately allow you to express your family’s unique financial circumstances? For example, the FAFSA asks you to submit …

myths

College Myth: Most Colleges Are Way Out of My Price Range

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you’ve just started your college search, you may be shocked to discover that the cost of attendance at your dream school is tens of thousands of dollars per year outside of your price range. How does anyone afford college at this price? Very few students pay the sticker price to attend college Nearly all …

myths

College Myth: Financial Aid is Only for Poor Students

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on February 25, 2025

Many students from middle class and upper middle class families assume they won’t receive any need-based financial aid. This isn’t necessarily the case. Need-based financial aid Colleges and the government decide how much need-based financial aid you’re eligible for by subtracting your expected family contribution (EFC) from your college’s cost of attendance. If there’s a …