Aug 09

Colleges That Don’t Offer Merit Scholarships

If we picked a most often asked question, it might be this: "Do all colleges offer merit scholarships?" The answer in a word...no. (I guess we could leave it here, but let's dig deeper.) Merit scholarships are awarded to students who have above average academics. In an effort to enroll... read more →

Aug 01

Free Money for College – Grants and Scholarships

In today's college search, students put so much stress on themselves to find the right "fit." Often, they focus on schools where they can get in and get a great education. In other words, finding a good academic and social fit. However, with the rising cost of education, finding a... read more →

Jul 26

How much is too much to borrow for college?

For most families, student loans must be part of the college funding conversation. Through careful planning to include smart savings, tax considerations, college choice, cash flow, scholarships, and other mechanisms, families can minimize the amount of debt their students take on. How much debt is too much though? How can... read more →

Jul 18

Cash Flow is King!

If you are a parent of a teenager, you are very familiar with cash flow. The cash flows in to you and out to your teen--clothes, food, fun, etc. But using cash flow can be an important part of a smart college funding plan. For many families, paying for college... read more →

Jul 12

Is the Government Addicted to Student Loans?

Everyone owes money (well, almost everyone). The government owes money. We read a lot about the government’s deficit--the debt we owe other countries due to our spending. The United States deficit exceeded $22 trillion back in February. Americans owe money. We are bombarded with student loan debt statistics. The total... read more →

Jun 27

Planning for College: Educational Workshops

When it comes to planning for college, families need help. Maybe they just need a bit of help or maybe they need some intensive guidance. No matter the level of support needed, a great way to get started is through two educational workshops: Tips for the College-Bound and Smart Money... read more →

Jun 27

Student Loans: What You Need to Know

Update June 2019: The Current State of student loan debt in America...EVERY SECOND America’s student loans GROW by close to $3,000! The increase in tuition is directly related to the free flowing market of student loans. If I were in the lending business, I would love to have a loan... read more →

Jun 20

How to Pay for Graduate School

Every year, college graduates leave their home of the past four or five years and consider the road ahead of them. Most start their careers, but some consider continuing their studies and embarking on graduate school. Maybe they approach their parents and say “hey, is graduate school a possibility?” To... read more →

Jun 14

Why Are Students Dropping Out of College?

This fact may shock you...only 69% of students entering four-year public colleges graduate in eight years. (Yes, you read that right EIGHT years.) If you include two-year public colleges, the completion rate drops to 60.4%. For every 10 students entering postsecondary study, four are leaving school without finishing (or taking... read more →

Jun 07

A More Affordable Alternative to Private College? Honors College

Too often parents can become stuck in a mindset that the only possible college for their student is an elite one. The recent college admission scandal is a great example of parents who are misinformed about the many different paths students can take. Families need to consider all the options... read more →