Student Loan Repayments May Cost More Than The Amount Borrowed

Changes to repayment rules for Federal student loans offers borrowers flexibility to manage their debts, as outlined in a recent New York Times article.  However, not only do the recent changes provide assistance for current borrowers, potential student loan borrowers can plan ahead. Our recommendations are outlined, alongside excerpts of the article in italics. Rising…

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College Affordability: Doing More With Less

While college costs have continued rising, median incomes over the same period have not increased at corresponding rates, as we first posted here.  The failure of income to rise at the same pace as college costs increases can place greater pressure on family budgets, potentially restraining college choices.  Thus, families may spend more effort in investigating potential…

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The Growing Pains From Applying to College

Completing college applications challenges the patience and confidence of any applicant.  However, given a lack of experience, many applicants don’t expect to be tested.  Applying seems simple–fill in a few boxes, write an essay quickly and painlessly, then click “submit.”  Unfortunately, the actual experience is more complicated.  Writing an autobiography, which summarizes seventeen years of…

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Common Application Essays Part 7: Essay Prompt 5 Explained

The fifth of five new Common Application essay questions asks students to: Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. Applicants must choose only one of the five questions to answer as their college essay, which will be shared amongst all…

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Guest Post – S-N-O-W: The Education Without the Units

Rohan graduated with a full International Baccalaureate Diploma in 2012.  He moved across the country from sunny Northern California to Ohio for college.  Throughout the college application process, Rohan kept an open mind about weather giving him more education than just studying Engineering.  After surviving the first winter, Rohan shares more thoughts about how “weather”…

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Ahead of the Curve: October 29, 2013

From the News: College Financial Aid Drops – Families Pinched, San Francicso Chronicle October 23, 2013 Is College Tuition Too High? Of Course (Not), Higher Education Data Stories Blog October 15, 2013 So Many Students – So Little (Counseling) Time, Sacramento Bee October 28, 2013 From Clients: On-going Common Application Technical Issues:  From recommenders not…

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