When it comes to the ACT, colleges come in two varieties: those that require or recommend that you take the optional ACT Writing Test, and those that say that the test is not needed. How is it used, and how will it affect how your ACT score is viewed?
How do I Cancel my ACT Score?
So you took the ACT, and you have a sinking feeling that you didn’t do as well as you wanted to. In fact, you’re so sure you didn’t well that you want to make sure no one ever sees your score other than you. You can’t travel back in time and tell your past self […]
How to Beat Senioritis and Make Your Last Year of High School Count
Ah, Senior Year. You’ve waited for it, pined for it, ached for it—and now it’s almost here! That last year before you go off to college; those last few months before you get to be on your own. Understandably, it will feel like it drags on forever. And ever. After a while, you may lose […]
Paying for College 101: What You Need to Know About 529s
If you have been looking to save for college, you have probably heard of a 529. Let’s define it. A 529 is a college savings plan that allows the owner to avoid Federal capital gains tax on the growth in savings when using the funds for college. Many plans also avoid state tax. These plans […]
How do I Cancel my SAT Score?
So you took the SAT, and you have a sinking feeling that you didn’t do as well as you wanted to. In fact, you’re so sure you didn’t well that you want to make sure no one ever sees your score–not even you. You can’t travel back in time and tell your past self not […]
5 Steps You Need to Take Before Senior Year Starts
That last summer before senior year is a great one! It’s full of excitement, expectation, and possibility. It’s the summer before your last year of high school, and your last “real” summer before college. Even though it’s a magical time, you still need to be planning ahead, particularly if the college admissions process is on […]
Paying for College 101: The CSS Curve Ball
The last post in the “Paying for College 101” series goes over the importance of properly positioning your assets when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We recommend reading them first! They’ll provide understanding of how a student and parent’s income(s) and assets affect the FAFSA calculation and how these calculations […]
Paying for College 101: When Your Hard Work Works Against You
The point of working hard and saving for college shouldn’t be having your efforts work against you, yet that is exactly what can happen when you diligently work and save without understanding how the FAFSA works. In a previous post, I described how the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is impacted by your income and where […]
Deciphering Your Financial Aid Award Letter with an Infographic
I stumbled across this excellent infographic breaking down the big (and small) points of a financial aid award letter, and thought it was definitely worth sharing. With college decision and financial aid letters looming on the horizon, it’s a good idea to get familiar with exactly what will be on that letter, and what it […]
Using College to Help You Figure Out a Career Path
Even if you already have a good idea about the career path you want to follow after you graduate from college, deciding which steps you need take to make it happen can be a pretty intense experience. There are so many things to consider: Which classes you should take, the major you should declare, the […]