student loans

What’s The Difference Between Preapproved And Prequalified For Student Loans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

‘Preapproved’ and ‘prequalified’ are sometimes used interchangeably when discussing student loans. That’s not right however. The only similarity between the two is that they are both parts of the student loan process. Other than that, both of these terms are completely different. What Is Prequalification? Prequalification is basically an estimate of how much you may …

student loans

What Parents Can Do To Lower Student Loan Interest Rates

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2023

Parents: Did you know you can help your students get lower interest rates on their loans? Or that you may qualify for lower interest rates if you opt for a parent PLUS loan? Here are just three steps you may want to take to save you and your child some cash in the long run. …

questions & answers

Are You Guaranteed a Scholarship From the College You Attend?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Did you know that many scholarships come from the colleges themselves? They’re known as institutional scholarships. While many students rely on institutional scholarships to help pay for college, you are never guaranteed a scholarship from a college you attend. Although you may be granted one, it is never set in stone. However, there are ways …

questions & answers

Can You Use Scholarships to Pay off Student Loans?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 25, 2025

When you’re trying to pay off your student loans, it’s a good idea to explore all your options. Some students wonder if they can pay off their loans with scholarships. If you received a scholarship your junior year, for example, can you use it to pay off a student loan from your freshman year? The …

scholarships

What You Need to Know about Non-Traditional Scholarships

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 12, 2025

Are you heading back to school after your original education was interrupted? Or are you considering studying abroad? Some students fit the mold of “non-traditional.” Finding scholarships and grants may prove difficult for these types of students, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips, tricks, and information you need to know if you are …

myths

Myth: I Can Fully Pay for College With a Few Scholarships

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many parents and students believe the myth that a student can fully pay for college tuition with just a few scholarships. Sadly, this is not the case. While scholarships can definitely be helpful and can go a long way towards paying tuition, it is extremely rare for it to cover the entire cost. Join us …

financial aid

What is the Student Aid Index?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 7, 2025

The Student Aid Index, or SAI, is the number colleges use to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible for based on the information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here’s a rundown of how the SAI works and why it matters for students and families trying to pay for …

scholarships

Q&A Interview With Scholarship Winner John McGowan! 

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

John McGowan is the winner of the $2,500 College Raptor scholarship! Congratulations are in order. Recently I had the chance to chat with John about his college search journey and what challenges he faced along the way. Check out this interview with a scholarship winner! Tell us about yourself! My name is John McGowan. I …

scholarships

Q&A Interview With Scholarship Winner Tai Nguyen!

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Tai Nguyen deserves a round of applause for winning the $1,000 College Raptor scholarship! His winning essay included details about his college journey and we just had to know more. Here is our Q&A interview with scholarship winner Tai Nguyen! Tell us about yourself! Hey! I’m Tai Nguyen and currently a senior at Mountain View …

financial aid

How To Overcome Financial Aid “Gapping”

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

To make the cost of college more affordable, many schools offer financial aid packages to accepted students. These packages are customized for each student based on the information submitted through the FAFSA. Schools usually try and cover 100% of the student’s financial need through a mix of grants, scholarships, work study and loans. However, many …