Student Advice Blog

A Collection of Our Most Popular College Planning Advice Articles

Tips for Landing a Job in High School

A job is a great way to earn extra money, meet people, and build life skills. Getting a job in an area you’re interested in can help you decide if you want to pursue a career in it after graduation.  If you’d love to find a job but aren’t sure where to begin, we’ve got ... Tips for Landing a Job in High School

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Free to Apply: How to Get a College Application Fee Waiver

Did you know college application fees can range from $50-$90 per school? If you’re applying to multiple schools, that cost can add up quickly! Since many colleges don’t want application fees to be an obstacle, you can apply for fee waivers to help with test and application costs.  Here are some ways you can apply ... Free to Apply: How to Get a College Application Fee Waiver

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A Student’s Guide to Self-Care

High school is an exciting and demanding time in your life, filled with new experiences, friendships, and academic challenges. Taking care of yourself isn’t just a luxury or something to do when you have spare time; it’s a vital part of your overall well-being. When you prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health, you can ... A Student’s Guide to Self-Care

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How to Get a Head Start on College (While Still in High School)

Did you know you can get college credits before you even graduate high school? Consider one or more of the options below to get ahead of the college game and save money on tuition.  Before you dive in, remember to keep your schedule balanced so you can enjoy being a high school student. As you ... How to Get a Head Start on College (While Still in High School)

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College Fairs: A Kickstart To Your College Search

College fairs are an excellent starting point for your college search. They’re an efficient way to learn about different schools and programs, narrow down your top choices, and ask all the questions!  Here’s why college fairs are the perfect kickstart to discovering the college of your dreams. College fairs are a convenient and cost-effective way ... College Fairs: A Kickstart To Your College Search

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Tips for a Stress-Free College Move-In Day

Move-in day marks the exciting beginning of your college adventure. While moving away from home and into a new space involves logistics and preparation, a little pre-planning can go a long way. Here are a few tips to help you make a smooth transition. Before Move-In Day Consider your location. How are you going to ... Tips for a Stress-Free College Move-In Day

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Cracking into the Social Scene: A Guide to Navigating New Friendships

If the thought of making new friends after high school gives you butterflies, we’ve got your back. Here are some insider tips to help you rock your new social scene! Tap into your resources. Colleges and workplaces are full of opportunities to connect. There are entire jobs on-campus and in the workplace whose purpose is ... Cracking into the Social Scene: A Guide to Navigating New Friendships

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Orientation: Your Ultimate College Kickstart

If you’re preparing for college, you’re probably experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. You’re thrilled about the college experience but a little nervous about navigating a new campus, tough classes, and living on your own.  That’s the beauty of new student orientation. It’s your golden ticket to smoothing those first-year jitters and getting comfortable in your ... Orientation: Your Ultimate College Kickstart

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Is your student using ChatGPT? Here’s what you need to know.

The AI boom is upon us! Its capabilities feel endless. Ready for a vacation? Type a short question about your preferred destination, and AI will plan your trip. Need a professional photo of yourself? AI can use your existing photos to create the perfect headshot. It can be tempting for students to use this new ... Is your student using ChatGPT? Here’s what you need to know.

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Your Complete Guide to Student Loans

Student loans and scholarships are funding options you can use to pay for college. Scholarships are free money you don’t pay back. Loans are borrowed money you pay back over time with interest. Ideally, it’s best to get most of your funding from scholarships, but many students take out loans to help pay for additional ... Your Complete Guide to Student Loans

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Rock Your College App: Tips to Help You Stand Out

If you’re applying to competitive colleges, here are some tips to help make your college applications stand out.

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Everything You Need to Know about the CSS Profile

What is the CSS Profile? The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile is an online application that colleges and scholarship programs use to give out non-federal aid. Hundreds of colleges require you to fill out the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). College Board provides this service as well as the ... Everything You Need to Know about the CSS Profile

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5 Questions to Ask Your Counselor about College

Your high school counselor is an important person who can help you with your college search, admissions, and finding a career you’ll love.

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Crushing College Choices: Tips for Picking Your Perfect Match

Picking a college is exciting! It can also play a huge role in shaping the life you want for yourself. There’s a lot to consider, including the size of the school, academic offerings, cost, and location. While your top priorities may differ from other students, everyone should consider these key priorities when making this important ... Crushing College Choices: Tips for Picking Your Perfect Match

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Free ACT Prep Resources

Whether you’re taking the ACT for the first time or trying to improve your score, ACT's free prep resources can help you achieve your goals.

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3 Types of College Scholarships

Paying for college is a huge concern for many students. A high sticker price may be enough to discourage students from applying. If you're wondering about how you'll pay for college, remember the sticker price is the cost before financial aid is applied. 

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Unpacking the FAFSA Verification Process

If you’re selected for FAFSA verification, it doesn’t mean you or your family did anything wrong. Verification simply confirms that the data reported on your financial aid application is accurate. About ⅓ of applicants are selected for verification, some at random, and some because of mismatched information on your FAFSA that needs further explanation.  Here ... Unpacking the FAFSA Verification Process

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3 Ways to Make College More Affordable

If you’re dreaming about going to college but nervous about the cost, we’re here to help! Here are just a few of the ways you can make college more affordable. Understand the Difference Between Sticker Price and Net Price When you start looking at college costs, the first thing to understand is the difference between ... 3 Ways to Make College More Affordable

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Financial Aid Packages 101

For many students, the financial aid package is a huge factor in determining which college they’ll attend. Financial aid packages differ by school, but the types of awards are similar. If you understand the awards, you can decide what financial aid package works best for you. Here are three important terms to remember: Cost of ... Financial Aid Packages 101

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Learn the Lingo: Financial Aid Vocabulary

When you’re new to the financial aid process, some terms may sound like a different language. Here we define a list of terms to help you through this process. The terms listed below are universal among colleges in the USA, but there may be terms specific to each college. Don’t be afraid to ask your ... Learn the Lingo: Financial Aid Vocabulary

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