College planning and saving advice from the experts
2021
College Savings Tips from an Expert
In working with families who are planning and saving for college, I stress the importance of being prepared. While college preparation becomes more “urgent” for families with older children, parents whose children are years away from college can benefit greatly from...
After the college decision: what’s next
First and foremost, congratulations! The summer before your new graduate’s first year enrolling in college is a busy one. Now that the college choice has been officially made, the college will ramp up communications throughout the summer with various "to-dos." We've...
When making the college list, look beyond the big number
The old saying “everything is negotiable” isn’t always true, but don’t assume the publicly advertised price tag for a college education is the amount students will pay. In fact, while the sticker price provides the base price for tuition and fees, it is important to...
Comparing Financial Aid Award Letters
As you weigh your college decision options, we know many of you are comparing multiple financial aid award letters. Unfortunately, this process can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many colleges and universities have their unique award letter structure and communicate...
Expert Take: Don’t Stress Over the Admissions Process
“I don’t think applying for college should be someone’s extracurricular activity.” That is the advice Emily Almas, Director of Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis, offered parents and students who signed on to our recent webinar, The Latest in College...
Making the most of college visits
It’s no secret that college is expensive today. According to The College Board’s latest annual survey, the average cost of a public, four-year college in state was $10,560 for 2020-2021. For a private, nonprofit college, the number was $37,650. With those costs, it’s...