College Planning Resources

A blog for parents, students, and families preparing for the future.

Our goal is to provide you with as much information and guidance to empower your student to thrive as they pursue their dreams.

Our blog features information that will take them from dream to decision and help to navigate everything from selecting a major to planning intentional summers so they can reach their goals.

Mar 63 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: Understanding Your 529 College Savings Plan

As college costs continue to rise, parents of college-bound students are increasingly turning to 529 plans as a strategic way to save for...

Financial Matters: Making Private Colleges Affordable

Feb 112 min read

Scholarships

Financial Matters: Making Private Colleges Affordable

Private colleges across the United States have expanded their merit-based aid programs in response to competition from public...

Dec 3, 20242 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: Return on Investment

Deciding on the “right” college can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to think about: location, academic programs, extracurricular...

Oct 29, 20242 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: Avoiding Financial Aid and FAFSA Mistakes

As your high schooler prepares for college, navigating financial aid can feel confusing. Here’s a guide to avoid common financial aid...

Oct 1, 20242 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: Keeping Application Costs in Check

Applying to college can be a costly proposition. According to U.S. News and World Report (2022), college application fees can range from...

Sep 17, 20242 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: ED/EA and Financial Aid

Navigating the college application process can be stressful, especially when considering how financial aid factors into different...

May 7, 20242 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: Payment Options for College

Students who will begin college in the fall semester should receive their tuition bill a few months before the term begins. If you need...

Apr 9, 20243 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: College Tax Credit

College is expensive. Educational tax benefits can help students offset the cost of college by reducing their or their parents’ federal...

Mar 5, 20242 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: The Hidden Costs of College

College financial aid packages should start arriving this month, but when you begin to compare your out-of-pocket costs, be sure to...

Feb 20, 20243 min read

Financial

Financial Matters: Comparing College Financial Aid Offers

The decisions have arrived! Time to compare the financial aid offers from all of the colleges to which your student has been admitted.

Jan 23, 20243 min read

Scholarships

Financial Matters: College Scholarships - What You Need to Know

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but receiving scholarships can make the cost of college more manageable.