All Paying for college Articles

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financial advice & planning

How Can College Students Make Extra Money?

By Alex HepgurnLast updated on December 22, 2022
Life as a college student is not all rainbows and sunshine. Juggling between personal commitments, deadlines, and ever-mounting work pressure gradually takes a toll on young minds. There’s so much to manage, from food to lodging and expenses, and you have to do it all alone, mostly. It is during the time of acute emergencies …
A red alarm clock with black numbers and white alarm bell.
student loans

When is the Best Time to Submit a Student Loan App?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on March 24, 2025
Student loans have always been popular, but in recent years, their ubiquity has exploded. The economic downturn of the late 20-aughts led many students to explore auxiliary methods of paying for college. Student loans are at the forefront. As of the first quarter of 2017, American college students owe a combined $1.3 trillion dollars in …
The Optimist International Scholarship is just one of many unique scholarships for students
scholarships

4 More Unique Scholarships!

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
As you’re looking for scholarships, you notice a lot of them ask you to just write essays, or have generic requirements. But who said that searching for financial aid had to be boring? There are countless fun and unique scholarships for students out there waiting for you to apply to them. These just happen to …
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student loans

Can GPA Affect My Ability to Get a Student Loan?

By Allison WignallLast updated on February 27, 2025
After exhausting their financial aid opportunities for scholarships, grants, and work studies, many students turn to take out a loan. There are a host of things that affect students’ chances of earning a student loan, and GPA is definitely one of them. So in short: Yes. In terms of Federal Student loans (which should be …
Woman holding binoculars - how do scholarships work? we can help you search
scholarship search & applications

Types of scholarships: differentiating private, institutional and government aid

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 14, 2025
Key takeaways Private scholarships are usually sponsored by businesses, nonprofits, or individuals. They often reward achievements or membership in specific groups. Government grants, such as the Pell Grant, are need-based awards funded by federal or state programs. Applying usually requires filling out the FAFSA. Institutional scholarships are offered directly by colleges and universities. They can …
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scholarships

Scholarships for Chess Players

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022
The famed German writer Johan Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game”. The metaphor of chess-as-life repeats many times over history, but the basic idea remains the same. The game, which revolves around sacrifices of certain pieces to strike …
Scattered 100 dollar bills.
student loans

Do Student Loans Hurt Your Credit Score?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025
By itself, taking out a student loan will not hurt your credit score. In fact, simply taking out a student loan will neither hurt nor benefit your credit score. How you handle your loan payments it what will impact your credit. If you miss a payment for any reason, that will hurt your score. On …
questions & answers

Can A Scholarship Expire?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
When applying for a scholarship (or after you’ve been awarded one), it’s important to understand how their specific terms and how they work. One question you might be asking yourself is “Can they expire?” Here’s what you need to know about expiration dates and your scholarship: Can They Expire? Some students who win scholarships wonder …

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