Planning for College

Attending college requires careful planning in order to ensure you enroll properly, and have your tuition payments in order. These articles will help explain everything from the admission process to financial aid.

Learn More / Page 3

The United States government has several programs in place to assist veterans seeking higher education. All these ex-soldiers have to do is apply and meet certain criteria.

By Josh Clark

Hablas espanol? Parlez-vous francais? Sie sprechen Deutsch? If you answered "si," "oui" or "ja," your college application might stand out a little more from the rest of the applicant pile.

By Meredith Bower

In addition to completing the FAFSA as early as possible, it's crucial that you follow up on it diligently and expediently. Not doing so can crush your plans for getting the education you're depending on.

By Victoria Vogt

Advertisement

Sure, it'd be nice to make the kind of money lawyers do, but think of the time it takes to get through law school. Can you really earn a quality law degree in just two years?

By Josh Briggs

Getting that college acceptance letter in the mail is exciting, but nothing can bring you down faster than navigating the student loan labyrinth. Knowing the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans is only the first step.

By Linda C. Brinson

Getting into college sure is exciting -- until you start figuring out how to pay for it. Your financial aid journey begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; college students know this fearsome form as the FAFSA.

By Dave Roos

The average student in an executive MBA already has extensive work experience and a stellar salary. Why would a successful executive go back to school?

By Dave Roos

Advertisement

Scholarships and grants aren't just for college students. If you need aid for trade school education, there are plenty of places to apply for financial assistance.

By Sarah Winkler

While student loans may be your only way to pay for college, paying them back might be harder than you think. We'll break down navigating the rough road of federal and private student loans, and how to survive them after you graduate.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Education doesn't come for free, but it's well worth the cost, particularly if you're able to finance some or part of it through grants and scholarships. How can you get help to pay for vocational school?

By Gerlinda Grimes

College students have a lot to think about when paying for school. But students with disabilities have a lot of extra things to consider that add up in the long run. What kinds of special financial opportunities are available?

By Jessica Brown

Advertisement

Your letter of recommendation may mean the difference between acceptance and rejection for someone else. So give it some credibility by writing it in the accepted format.

By Charles W. Bryant

If you're interested in a college, but not interested enough to sign a contract that binds you to attending that school if you're accepted, then you might consider an alternative to early decision: early action. How does it work?

By Charles W. Bryant

There are many reasons to have your request for financial aid declined. But you can appeal the school's decision. What can you say in your letter to convince administrators to reconsider your case?

By Jonathan Strickland

A four-year degree can help boost your career and your salary, but everyone can't go full-time. How can you pay for your college education if you're only going part-time?

By Stephanie Watson

Advertisement

Getting everything in order for college applications can be stressful, so many prospective students look for all the help they can get.

By Heather Kolich

The land of opportunity is also the land of entrepreneurship, the striving businessperson and, consequently, the business student. Are you looking to add those three expensive letters to your academic credentials?

By Jacob Silverman

Everyone knows that if you want to become a doctor, you must go to medical school first. But first you have to go through the admissions process, which is challenging itself.

By Stephanie Crawford

The Ivy League may have started out as an athletic consortium, but the name is now synonymous with academic rigor, professional achievement and exclusivity. How do you get in? Start here.

By Dave Roos

Advertisement

You might be happy about that scholarship or fellowship you just got, but don't jump for joy just yet -- you may have to pay a portion of that money back to the government. Do you owe Uncle Sam part of your financial aid package? Find out here.

By Linda C. Brinson

If you don't fill out a FAFSA -- or if you miss the deadline -- you're throwing away free money. Your school and federal government can help you pay for college, but you've got to do your part by crossing each "t" and dotting each "i" before June 30.

By Bambi Turner

Your financial aid history encapsulates all of the outside aid you've ever received for school, from grade school on up. How can that record affect you, long after you've stopped hitting the books?

By Susan L. Nasr

Every year, millions of American adults head into college classrooms to improve their job skills or upgrade their resumes. Higher education may be pricey, but the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit can help alleviate the financial burden.

By Dave Roos

Advertisement

Getting in to the college of your choice requires a lot of filling out forms, writing essays and personal interviews. College Admissions Assistance will help you do it, for a fee. Should you sign up?

By Nathan Chandler

What does it take to make a remarkable piece of jewelry or to deliver a moving theater performance? Sure, a mastery of the fine arts requires talent and skill, but it also takes discipline and knowledge. An MFA can prepare you for the art world.

By Echo Surina