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 …

scholarships

Chatting With $2,500 Scholarship Winner Amanda McCard!

By Allison WignallLast updated on January 24, 2023

Congratulations are in order for College Raptor’s most recent $2,500 scholarship winner, Amanda McCard! Her winning essay made me curious about Amanda’s college journey. Luckily, she was kind enough to answer a few more questions. Here’s what she had to say! Tell us about yourself! My name is Amanda McCard and I am an incoming …

scholarships

Chatting with $1,000 Scholarship Winner Summer Hollingsworth!

By Allison WignallLast updated on January 24, 2023

Congratulations to Summer Hollingsworth for her recent win of College Raptor’s $1,000 scholarship! I got to chat with Summer about her college search challenges and her ultimate decision on where to go to school. Here’s what she had to say! Tell us about yourself! Hello, I’m Summer Hollingsworth and I just graduated from Bayfield High …

financial aid

How a 529 Plan Affects your FAFSA

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Calculating the amount of financial aid to award a student can be tricky. Many elements are connected and affect each other. One such example is 529 savings plans and the FAFSA. Your 529 plan affects your FAFSA and how much aid you can receive. Here’s a rundown of those details. What is a 529 Plan? …

questions & answers

Is Student Loan Forbearance Right For Me?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Forbearance is an option that allows borrowers to postpone loan payments while they’re in school. What’s important to know is that interest does not stop accruing during the time. This accrued interest increases the cost of the loan considerably. However, delaying paying off your student loans can also help you focus on finding a job …

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 …

student loans

Student Loans Cost More Than Just The Principal Balance

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Everybody knows that student loans are not free money – they come at a price. Unfortunately, many students underestimate exactly what that price is. There are interest and fees and sometimes even penalties. All in all, student loans cost more than just the principal balance. Let’s break it down.  The True Cost of Student Loans …

financial aid

Is There College Financial Aid For Homeschooled Students?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Financial aid helps students pay for higher education. That includes students who studied at home. Homeschooling has come a long way since a few years ago in terms of college admissions as well as financial aid. Today, colleges welcome homeschool students as long as they meet the school’s eligibility criteria. As for financial aid for …

scholarship search & applications

What Can I Use Scholarship Money For?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

A scholarship is a free monetary award given to students who meet the funding organizations requirements. Some scholarships are awarded for academic achievements, others for athletic or extracurricular accomplishments. Still others may be awarded for students from a certain demographic or those who demonstrate financial need. But you may ask yourself: what can I use …

scholarship search & applications

How to Get the Most Scholarship Money

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Scholarships can provide much needed money when it comes to paying for your college tuition and other expenses. There are a lot of scholarships out there, for varying amounts ranging anywhere from $100 to full rides. So how can you get the most scholarship money? First, Develop a Schedule To get the most scholarship money …