Congratulations to Grant Parker, the newest College Raptor $1,000 scholarship winner! In addition to writing a winning essay, Grant also answered some interview questions. Read on below to learn about his current college preparations as a high school student. Tell us a little about yourself! My name is Grant Parker, I live in Canton Texas …
Read more
Chatting with $2,500 Scholarship Winner Bronwyn Mogck!
The winner of the latest College Raptor $2,500 scholarship is Bronwyn Mogck! I got the chance to interview Bronwyn about her college search journey. We discussed the challenges she faced within the college prep process as well. Bronwyn’s scholarship winner interview is chock full of helpful tips, heartfelt advice, and a great story about searching …
Read more
Do Student Loans Help or Hurt Your Credit Score?
During college, many students don’t even think about their credit score. But they should! It’s a vital part of a person’s financial future, affecting a number of important milestones. Much of a person’s credit history starts in college. Specifically, with student loans. Credit scores can absolutely be affected by student loans. Your actions in the …
Read more
What Are Merit Based Scholarships?
People award merit based scholarships purely based on, as its name suggests, merit. For example, students can win them for their artistic talents, academic accomplishments, community involvement, belonging to a certain ethnicity or religion, and more. Merit scholarships are established by various organizations to reward students who have worked hard to stand out in some …
Read more
The Difference Between A Soft Credit And Hard Credit Check
When it comes to student loans, your credit score is very important. It affects everything from being approved to how much your interest rate will be to if you require a cosigner. When you apply for a private student loan, the lender will first check your credit history. This is called “pulling your credit” or …
Read more
Let’s Talk About Money: 6 Conversations Families Should Have Before College
Nobody really likes talking about finances and budgets, especially when things are tight. Money discussions between parents and their college-bound students navigate several delicate issues. Students may have their heart set on attending their ‘dream’ school. But what if mom and dad just can’t afford the high tuition fees? Should their child give up on …
Read more
Tips About The FAFSA For Parents
College is expensive. Even parents who have diligently saved for their children’s education need a bit of extra help. That’s where the FAFSA comes in. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is something your child needs to fill to qualify for federal financial aid. But what you may not realize is how important this …
Read more
How Can I Find Merit Scholarships?
Merit scholarships award students who are accomplished in specific fields such as academics, sports, or an extracurricular activity. Sponsors assess solely on their achievements in a specific field. Not typically taken into consideration is financial status or need. If you’ve achieved a high level of proficiency in any field, think of this as a reward …
Read more
The 6 Main Steps To Apply For Federal Student Loans
College fees have increased a lot over the past few years; most families need a little bit of financial help to cover the costs. Statistics show that most students who attend college have borrowed money to cover part of their college tuition. When it comes to student loans, it’s vital to know your options and …
Read more
7 Important Financial Tips College-Bound Students Need to Know
There’s a lot a college bound student needs to learn and top of this list is how to navigate finances. Developing money management skills before going to college will set the stage for lifelong fiscal responsibility. More importantly, it can help prevent common financial disasters such as bankruptcy. Here are 7 important financial tips all …
Read more