Especially in times of uncertainty, the idea of taking a semester, a year or more off from school before starting college can be appealing. But is it a good idea for you? Here are some things to consider before you make a decision.
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Many parents and students know they should make a plan for college or other options after high school, but knowing exactly where and how to start is another issue. Here are some common questions and the resources to help you answer them.
When borrowing for college, researching options and knowing what to expect can help ensure responsible borrowing for college.
Cost of attendance is often the biggest factor in choosing a college, but the affordability of any particular college or university can be difficult to determine.
Don't let your time away from the classroom impact all that you have been learning. Stay sharp by engaging your mind in different activities.
Whether you are planning to enter college for the first time next fall or are returning for another term, securing financial aid means filing your FAFSA.
Colleges sometimes include the maximum available federal student and parent loans on financial aid offer letters, but it's not always clear that students don't need to accept the full amount of all loans.
Before you start to fill out the FAFSA, make sure you have these items available if they are applicable to you.
Here are answers to some of the most important questions about the FAFSA.
The time to choose a college is approaching, but the wide variety of options can make it hard to know which ones you should seriously consider. These six steps can help.
Learn about the different types of student loans, both federal and private, to help choose the best option for your financial situation.
The variety of college funding sources often leads to confusion as students and parents plan for college. This financial aid primer can help you sort out and compare financial aid options.
Don't forget to plan for expenses like these when estimating your cost of college attendance. Having a clear idea of all your expenses upfront will allow you to better plan how you will pay for college.
While college acceptance letters are often exciting, the arrival of financial aid offer packages can be confusing. Keep these five things in mind as you review your financial aid offers to limit stress.
Gain insights on where to find scholarships for high school students, in addition to tips for writing the perfect scholarship essay.
As you enter your last few months of high school, the pressure's on to figure out how to pay for the next stage of your education. Improve your chances of landing scholarship funds with these tips.
Even though it may seem like you don't need to add to your to-do list, a couple of simple tricks can help you feel less anxious about scholarship results.
Before filling out loan applications, consider future repayment for any loans. Here's what you need to know.
If you're planning to work this summer to offset some of your college expenses, consider these tips.
From $50 to $5,000, we broke down different ways to make the most of monetary gifts you receive at your high school graduation that will better help you prepare for college.
As you quickly approach your freshman year at college, take some time to be ready for your new independence.
If you're planning to go to college after you graduate from high school, this checklist will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed as you try to prepare for next year.
Use these tips to determine how much you want to save for college costs.
Follow these 5 steps as you create and maintain your budget throughout your time in college.
The College Funding Forecaster is a free, online tool designed to help borrowers make good decisions about borrowing student loans.
The first few days of a new school year can be a big adjustment after your summer break. Help yourself get back into the school routine by preparing now with these tips.
Opportunities to become involved in extracurricular activities, athletics, and work activities abound. Here are nine reasons high school students should take advantage of at least a few of those opportunities.
Students of all ages need good time management skills to balance school, homework, activities, family responsibilities and just having fun.
High schoolers, make sure you understand these financial basics to avoid future money problems.
Did you know that a small improvement can sometimes push you over the line for scholarship eligibility or to qualify for higher awards?
You might think the freedom to spend your time however you want in college sounds great. But if you don't budget your time wisely, you may struggle academically.
It's easy to say “study smarter,” but how do you actually accomplish that? Try out some of these tips to up your studying game.
Whether you're planning on college next year or just starting your freshman year in high school, you can take steps to save money today that will help you with college costs in the future.
When planning for education after high school, saving instead of borrowing for college has one simple but very important advantage: It will cost you less money.
Do you know how much college graduates can expect to make in their first job? ISL Education Lending offers this information, along with other related career information.
The options for education and training after high school can be confusing. Here is a comparison of the most common routes for recent high school graduates.
A visit to a college campus is a great way to familiarize yourself with the overall atmosphere on campus and see what daily life there may be like.
Many of the most common questions people look for when researching a college can be answered by looking at the school website or other sources.
When choosing a college or university, you may benefit from asking more than the standard questions.
You’ve decided on your top college choices, and it’s time to start the application process. Keep reading for six things to know as you get started.
Don't be tempted by common myths to skip completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If the colleges you are applying to require one, your admissions essay gives you have a chance to show admissions officers that you are more than your grades and test scores.
There is no right number when it comes to how many applications to complete, but applying to multiple colleges is universally recommended for many reasons.
An integral part of the college financial aid process is the Student Aid Index, or SAI. This number is the basis for the amount of financial aid made available to a student.
You've likely heard you need to build good credit as a young adult. Use these tips to do just that.
Undecided about your future? Here are some suggestions for what to do until you're able to take the next big step.
If one of your goals is to reduce expenses so you have more to save or spend on essentials, these five tips to cut costs can help, regardless of what you usually spend money on or where you shop.
Use these tips to save money as you prepare for your first semester of college.
Spring break can mean fun, sun and no worries, unless you blow your budget. Use these tips to help you stay on track during break and save your money for your education.
Food and drinks can be among the most expensive parts of any trip, and visiting a popular destination for spring break is no different.
Put your down time on winter break to good use with a part time job. Here's 15 ways to you can make money over your break.
Improving health is a common goal. And—good news—you have many options to get fit for free.
When that financial aid offer arrives, check it carefully. Use these tips if you think changes need to be made.
How do you know if you can afford a particular college or how much is too much to take out in student loans? Learn about the key indicator recommended by experts and a tool to help you plan for college financing.
What is a private student loan exactly? Learn about cosigners, interest rates, fees, and benefits, in addition to interest charges and repayment plans.
The easiest way to reduce any student loan costs is by eliminating loans completely or by borrowing a minimal amount. Here's how you can reduce your need for student loans.
Learn the importance of credit scores and how they affect student loan interest rates. Don't forget about the impact of poor credit.
Student loans are different than car loans and mortgages because the majority of student loans allow you to defer repayment while you're attending school on at least a half-time basis.
