Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions your student will make, but as a parent, you play a crucial role in guiding them through the financial and logistical challenges that come with it. What happens when your child’s college plans don’t match your budget or comfort level? Let’s tackle some common concerns and explore ways to navigate these tough college decisions with your student.
Continue reading Navigating Tough College Decisions: A Parent’s Guide
If your child is in the process of thinking about what they want to do in the future then the question of further education might crop up. Many students choose to attend college. Support them wherever you can with whatever they need.
These top five things to consider when sending your child to college should help you guide them along their future path.
Continue reading Top 5 Things to Consider When Sending Your Child to College
As 2025 begins, parents of college-bound teens are entering a pivotal year filled with decisions, deadlines, and opportunities. Whether your teen is just starting the college application process or finalizing their plans, here’s how you can support them every step of the way.
Continue reading Your Guide to Navigating 2025: Advice for Parents of College-Bound TeensStarting college is exciting. It’s a chance to learn, meet new people, and prepare for your future. But along with the excitement comes a long list of costs. College can feel expensive fast. Luckily, by understanding the key expenses and planning ahead, you can handle them without too much stress. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to manage the college costs.
Continue reading The True Cost of CollegeBetween juggling lectures, assignments, and exams, staying organized can feel like a full-time job for students. While pen-and-paper methods still have their charm, today’s technology offers tools that make note-taking more efficient and effective. From hardware to apps, these note-taking tools can transform how students learn and succeed academically.
Continue reading Mastering Note-Taking in the Digital Age
The holiday season is fast approaching—a chance to catch your breath, spend time with family, and recharge. But if you’re a parent of a high school junior or senior, you probably feel a familiar tug of responsibility, wondering how are you going to find the time for those college tasks.
While it’s important to enjoy the festivities, this season can also be a great time to help your teen finalize their college list and start applying for scholarships. With a little planning, you can work on these college tasks together, even during the holiday hustle.
Continue reading Using the Holidays to Complete College Tasks
So, you’re about to embark on one of the biggest decisions of your life: choosing a college. It’s like stepping into a maze, filled with endless possibilities and a whole lot of unknowns. With so many factors to consider, it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through the labyrinth.
Affordability is key. Let’s face it, cost is a major factor for most students. A recent survey showed that 53% of students ranked affordability as the most important factor in their college choice. And 67% rated the cost of attendance as “very important.”
But here’s the thing: affordability shouldn’t come at the expense of quality. That’s where accreditation comes in. Accredited programs are held to high standards, ensuring you get a top-notch education.
Continue reading Accredited Programs: Finding Your Path in College
Hearing your teen say, “I don’t want to go to college,” can be a heart-stopping moment for many parents. This is especially true if college has been a long-anticipated step in your child’s future. However, it’s important to approach this situation with patience and understanding. College may not be right for everyone.
Before the door to higher education closes entirely, there are several steps parents can take. These steps can help their teen reconsider college in a more thoughtful and informed way.
Here are five practical steps to guide you while navigating your teen’s hesitations about college:
Continue reading Navigating Your Teen’s Hesitations About College
As your child approaches the end of high school, the question of whether they’re ready for college looms large. It’s natural to have mixed emotions—pride, excitement, and maybe even a bit of anxiety. College is a significant step toward adulthood, but how can you tell if your teen is prepared to take it? Here are a few key factors to consider when determining if your teen is ready for college.
Continue reading Is Your Teen Ready for College? Key Factors to Consider
As a parent, I would say paying for college was on my top 10 lists of worries as my children entered high school. We were caring for my elderly father and great aunt, along with battling with breast cancer. It was all we could do to stay afloat with medical and elder care expenses breathing down our necks every month.
My son was looking at a military career, but I knew he wanted to go to college. He also knew that we could not afford to contribute. My daughter was two years behind him, and I knew she had her heart set on Boston University, an expensive private college in the northeast. I worried day and night that her dreams would not materialize, and my son would have few options other than joining the military out of high school.
My children were not first generation students. However, I did not attend college, and my spouse attended a local college that basically accepted anyone who applied. I was lost. My circle of friends were not college graduates and were not encouraging their kids to apply to college. My parents did not encourage me to attend college, so I was clueless about the process. I had no idea where to turn for help and the school counselor was responsible for hundreds of students at a large public high school. She had little time to advise students about colleges and even less time to help with figuring out how to pay.
Dealing with all the family drama and concerned about finances, my son made the decision during his junior year to join the Marines. I was supportive but worried the decision was forced on him because he felt he had no other option. The day he signed a letter of intent, I decided to focus the next few years on my daughter’s dream—attending college.
I knew I had to research colleges, look at finances, and make sure she had a stellar academic and extracurricular record to back up her applications. When she entered her senior year, we had a plan. Here’s what we did:
Continue reading Are You Worried About Paying for College?
