I write about higher education, personal finance, insurance, credit cards, parenting, and aging for magazines, financial institutions, and consumer websites.
How Much Money Should You Borrow for College? Experts Offer Some Hard Truths
As families run numbers on college costs, some inevitably will find that their schools of choice are out of reach without heavy borrowing. Here's what to know about student loans and how much is too much.
Direct Admission at Colleges: What to Know and How to Get Instantly Accepted
Direct admission is the latest movement in making college more accessible to all. If you're thinking of pursuing this option, here's what you need to know.
Yes, Colleges Really Can Cut Your Financial Aid if You Win Other Scholarships
Winning a private scholarship to help pay for college brings families joy — and then sometimes frustration. The frustration comes courtesy of a lesser-known practice called scholarship displacement. Most colleges around the country practice scholarship displacement, meaning they reduce financial aid when student...
12 College Costs that Surprise New College Parents
Typically, college websites list five expenses: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. But the college years bring other costs, too.
Car Insurance Tips for New Drivers: 6 Ways to Save Money
Got a new driver? These young driver car insurance tips can help save you money.
4 Myths About College Scholarships That Could Cost You
Applying for scholarships — aka free money to cover college bills — sounds like a no-brainer. But actually finding the right types of awards isn’t easy. Here's what to know and why misunderstandings about scholarships could come back to bite.
Low-Income Students Can Get More Money to Help Pay for College This Year
Low-income college students can get an additional $500 from the federal government to help pay their education bills later this year.The extra money is thanks to a significant boost in funding for the Pell Grant program in the 2023-24 academic year as part of the $1.7 trillion spending bill recently signed into law.
Changes to the Financial Aid Formula Could Affect How Much You Pay for College
Some families applying for college financial aid this year may qualify for less help than in the past, thanks to a little-known change to the underlying formula.
When Is the FAFSA Deadline?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (a.k.a the FAFSA) is a vital part of the college application process. If you skip it, you could be missing out on grants, scholarships, work-study and low-interest student loans.
How to Apply for FAFSA
I wrote this article last year, but we updated it for 2022 with a few notes about changes on this year's FAFSA.
5 College Admissions Officers on Their Best Tips for Applicants
Each year, high school seniors around the country go through the same rigmarole — taking tests, crafting essays, scrambling ahead of application deadlines and, of course, wondering what exactly colleges are looking for. !0 tips from admissions experts here.
How to Raise a Problem-Solver
Kids don't magically know how to do things unless you let them problem-solve along the way. Here's how to help kids gain the skills they need for adulting. It's surprisingly easy. But parents do need to step back.
How To Finance A Gap Year
Looking to travel before starting college? Financing it may be easier than you think, with a little planning.
Colleges Are Hiking Tuition This Fall Amid Sky-High Inflation
College students across the country will see higher prices when they return to campuses in the coming weeks, the latest hit on families’ finances caused by inflation.
How Does Medicare Obesity Therapy Work?
For people looking to lose weight, Medicare’s obesity behavioral therapy and counseling program may help.