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Direct Admission: No College Application Necessary?
For decades, the college admissions process has worked the same way: students search, apply, wait, and hope. Direct Admission flips that order. Instead of students chasing colleges, colleges reach out first with a real or possible offer of admission, often before a student has filled out an application. It’s one of the fastest-growing trends in…
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Get a Jump on FAFSA: Estimate Your Student Aid Index Before October 1
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opens October 1, but you don’t have to wait until then to find out where your family stands. Right now, a month before the form goes live, you can get a solid estimate of your student’s Student Aid Index.
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SAT vs. ACT: Choosing the Right College Admissions Test
High school students are faced with many decisions during the college application and selection process. One that requires some thought is deciding which, if any, standardized college admissions tests to take.
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The Four-Year Game Plan: A Guide for Parents with Freshmen Bound for College
When your child starts high school, college can feel far away. In reality, the process that culminates in a college decision in the spring of senior year begins earlier and unfolds more gradually than most families expect.
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How to Appeal a Financial Aid Offer
When a financial aid award falls short of expectations or is not competitive with what another school is offering, many families accept the number, scramble for loans, or reluctantly cross the school off the list. What they don’t know is that financial aid offers are frequently adjustable, and a well-handled appeal can result in thousands…
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Financial Aid Decoded: What Your Award Letter Really Means
College admissions decisions are arriving – a joyous time for students relishing their future success; a disappointing moment when dream schools say no. No matter which, these emotions will soon be overrun by the reality of making a school choice. And then figuring out how to pay the coming college bill. Lurking under it all:…
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529 or Trump Savings Accounts: Which is Best for You?
Parents of children born in 2026 are in line to kickstart savings for their newborn. For this article, let’s call the newborn Tammy and assume that her parents are considering whether to use 529 accounts or the new Trump accounts to save for Tammy’s future. Spoiler alert: This article shows why it makes sense for…
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Understanding Federal Direct Loans for Undergraduates: A Complete Guide for Students and Families
Paying for college is one of the most significant financial challenges many families face and student loans are a reality for most.
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Essential Details about Student Loans That You May Not Have Read Before
The term “Student Loan” is shorthand for ANY loan for college. The reality: loans to pay for college are taken by: This is a not a trivial nuance. Understanding who is legally obligated to pay the loan is critical. It’s not complicated, but can be confusing: