All Paying for College Articles

Student thinking about offer letters
financial aid

What You Should Know about Front-Loaded Financial Aid

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 30, 2021
Many students rely on financial aid in order to attend college, but. While researching financial aid, you may have come across the term “front-loaded.” But what is it? Is it good or bad? Are there other options available? Here’s what you need to know about this front-loaded financial aid. What is Front-Loaded Financial Aid? Front-loaded …
Parents playing in moving boxes with their daughter. They're thinking about 529 savings plans for her future education.
financial advice & planning

Myths About 529 College Savings Plans

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 21, 2021
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 …
$2,500 scholarship winner Amanda McCard
scholarships

Chatting With $2,500 Scholarship Winner Amanda McCard!

By Allison WignallLast updated on June 17, 2021
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 …
$1,000 scholarship winner Summer Hollingsworth
scholarships

Chatting with $1,000 Scholarship Winner Summer Hollingsworth!

By Allison WignallPublished on June 17, 2021
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 …
A father and daughter reviewing how 529 plan affects the FAFSA
financial aid

How a 529 Plan Affects your FAFSA

By Hilary CairnsPublished on June 10, 2021
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? …
College student's alarm clock sitting on a desk.
scholarship search & applications

Am I Too Late to Apply To Scholarships?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 10, 2021
Whether you’ve just graduated high school or you’re a sophomore in college, you may be asking yourself: “Am I too late to apply to scholarships?” The short answer is, “No, you’re not.” The long answer is, “It depends on the specific award.” Here’s what you need to know though about scholarships as you go through …
Student thinking about loan forbearance
questions & answers

Is Student Loan Forbearance Right For Me?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on June 3, 2021
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 …
Various coins coming out of a black piggy bank.
financial advice & planning

What Are Tuition Payment Plans?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on June 2, 2021
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 …
College student on phone with her student loan lender
student loans

Student Loans Cost More Than Just The Principal Balance

By College Raptor StaffPublished on June 1, 2021
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 …
Student taking an online test at home.
financial aid

Is There College Financial Aid For Homeschooled Students?

By College Raptor StaffPublished on May 28, 2021
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 …