questions & answers

What Happens if Students Save $1,000 Per Year on College

By Allison WignallLast updated on May 30, 2024

Let’s play a game of “what if” — what if every student (pursuing a bachelor’s degree) got an extra $1,000 per year for four years? Maybe it was through a grant, maybe a scholarship, or maybe books and supplies didn’t cost as much. Whatever the reason, in this hypothetical query each student $1,000 — a …

questions & answers

What is a Net Price Calculator?

By Lynell EngelmyerLast updated on December 22, 2022

We all know that the sticker price for college is shocking. How many of us can actually write an annual check for $20,000, $40,000, $60,000 or more? That’s where the net price calculator comes into play. But what is a net price calculator? The difference between net price and sticker price The good news is …

financial advice & planning

How to Reduce Tuition Costs for Out-of-State Students

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

The biggest drawback of attending an out-of-state public institution for many students is that you will be paying a higher price tag than your classmates who are from the state. So, how to reduce tuition costs you might ask? While attending a state school as an out-of-state student isn’t right for every student, if the …

myths

5 Myths About College Costs & Financial Aid Every Parent Needs to Know

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025

When it comes to the cost of college, there are a lot of myths out there. Many times, these myths can scare students and families away from colleges that might have been very affordable, or even cost that family thousands of dollars in lost financial aid opportunities. Understanding how both the cost of college and financial …

financial aid

Financial Aid and Unique Family Circumstances: How to Let Colleges Know About Your Financial Situation

By Lynell EngelmyerLast updated on December 22, 2022

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the federal government’s attempt to put every American family on a level playing field in an effort to award aid fairly. What happens, however, when the FAFSA does not adequately allow you to express your family’s unique financial circumstances? For example, the FAFSA asks you to submit …

myths

College Myth: Most Colleges Are Way Out of My Price Range

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you’ve just started your college search, you may be shocked to discover that the cost of attendance at your dream school is tens of thousands of dollars per year outside of your price range. How does anyone afford college at this price? Very few students pay the sticker price to attend college Nearly all …

myths

College Myth: Financial Aid is Only for Poor Students

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on February 25, 2025

Many students from middle class and upper middle class families assume they won’t receive any need-based financial aid. This isn’t necessarily the case. Need-based financial aid Colleges and the government decide how much need-based financial aid you’re eligible for by subtracting your expected family contribution (EFC) from your college’s cost of attendance. If there’s a …

myths

Why You Should Fill Out the FAFSA Even if You Think You Won’t Qualify

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 27, 2024

There are students who think they won’t get financial aid from the federal government. Therefore, they sometimes don’t see the point in filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). However, these students don’t realize that they may be missing out on grants and scholarships from their college. They’re even missing out on low-interest-rate …

myths

College Myth: College is for Rich Kids

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on February 12, 2025

You’ve probably heard horror stories about students who pay $60,000 plus every year to attend college. If you’re an average middle-class college hopeful, this can be disheartening. It seems like college is for rich kids only, and not as accessible to other students. The good news is that the most-often quoted price–the sticker price–is paid …

myths

College Myth: I Could Never Afford to Pay for an Ivy League College

By Olivia PittmanLast updated on December 22, 2022

Most students who consider attending an Ivy League college, like Harvard and Stanford, think of them as dream schools. Even some well-qualified students shy away from applying. They think they could never afford an Ivy League college. The good news is that, for most students, Ivy League colleges and other elite, selective universities are often actually …