Category Archives: college planning

admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, essays, Guest Posts, parenting

What Parents Need to Know About an AI-Built College List

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AI-Built College List

Your teen may have already assembled some of their college list using AI. About half of high school students have used an AI tool at some point in the search process, up from around a quarter six months ago, a survey of more than 5,000 students by education consulting company EAB found. Most parents learn of it too late.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A chatbot will answer a question at 11pm that a teenager would never think to ask a counselor at 11am. But the same survey revealed that 18 percent of students had already started ruling out colleges because something a bot told them. That’s a real choice based on unverified data.

Here’s what to look for before that list is set in stone.

Continue reading What Parents Need to Know About an AI-Built College List →
admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, high school

Why Early Bird College Planning Matters When It’s Your Grandchild

Disclosure: This post is intended to introduce families to Early Bird™ and contains affiliate links. I only recommend resources that I believe may be useful to families navigating the college process.

early bird college planning

I’ve been through the college process before.

As a parent, I’ve experienced the excitement, the questions, the deadlines, the financial concerns, and, yes, even the occasional panic that comes with helping a teenager navigate the road to college.

But this year, I’m looking at the process from a slightly different perspective.

I have a grandson entering the college process this year.

And let me tell you, being on the sidelines as a grandparent doesn’t make me any less invested! In fact, it has made me think even more about how overwhelming college planning can be for families.

There are so many questions.

  • What colleges are actually a good fit?
  • What should students be doing in 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade?
  • When should they take the SAT or ACT?
  • How do you find scholarships?
  • How do you help your student build a strong application without taking over the process?

And perhaps most importantly: How do you make sure your student isn’t simply following a checklist, but actually creating a college plan that fits who they are?

That’s why I was intrigued when I learned about Early Bird™, a college-planning platform designed to help students and families start earlier and make the process more personalized.

Continue reading Why Early Bird College Planning Matters When It’s Your Grandchild →
college planning, financial aid, financial planning, student loans

Federal Student Loan Changes: What Parents Need to Know in 2026

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federal student loan changes

Paying for college has never been simple, and recent changes to federal student loan programs have made it even more important for families to understand their options before borrowing.

Whether you’re a parent considering a Parent PLUS Loan or a student preparing to accept federal loans, knowing what’s changed can help you make smarter financial decisions that could save thousands of dollars over the life of a loan.

Here are the most important federal student loan changes families should know.

Continue reading Federal Student Loan Changes: What Parents Need to Know in 2026 →
college majors, college planning, college prep, Guest Posts

Best Colleges for Pre-med? How Future Pre-meds Should Actually Choose a College

best colleges for pre-med

When you are finalizing your high school experience and trying to apply for college, this can become quite the stressful process. That stress can easily be doubled if you are on a pre-professional track such as pre-med or pre-PA, which can make college essentially a three-year proving ground. If you are a parent, you may also be feeling this because you want what’s best for them. When I was younger, my parents were definitely on this journey with me through both the highs and the lows.

Today, I’m going to explain how you as a parent can help your student pick the best pre-med school for them without fixating on which schools have the “best” reputation or ranking. As you work through that decision, Parenting for College has a helpful guide on how to help your teen make the final college decision that looks at the bigger picture of fit, cost, and long-term success.

Continue reading Best Colleges for Pre-med? How Future Pre-meds Should Actually Choose a College →
college guidance, college planning, guidance counselors, Resources

How Much Does a College Counselor Cost? 2026 Guide for Parents

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college counselor cost

For many parents, hiring a private college counselor sounds appealing, especially when the college admissions process feels overwhelming. But there is one question that usually comes before anything else:

How much is this going to cost?

The answer isn’t simple because college counseling services vary widely. Some counselors charge by the hour, while others offer comprehensive packages that can cover everything from building a college list to reviewing essays and preparing for interviews.

Depending on the counselor, the student’s grade level, and the amount of support needed, families can spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for targeted assistance to $10,000, $20,000 or even more for comprehensive multi-year services.

So, is hiring a private college counselor worth the money? That depends on what you need and what you’re willing to pay for.

Continue reading How Much Does a College Counselor Cost? 2026 Guide for Parents →
college guidance, college planning, college prep, financial planning, parenting, scholarships

How to Win College Scholarships: A Parent’s Review of Monica Matthews’ Scholarship Guide

how to win college scholarships

There are very few things that get me more excited than finding a resource that can help families save money on college. After years of helping parents navigate the college admissions process, I know one thing is true: paying for college is one of the biggest sources of stress for families.

Whether you’ve been saving since your child was born or you’re wondering how you’ll make college affordable, every scholarship dollar matters. Every scholarship your student earns is one less dollar you’ll have to borrow, pay out of pocket, or worry about later.

That’s why I was so impressed with Monica Matthews’ How to Win College Scholarships: A Guide for Parents in 10 Easy Steps.

What I love most about Monica is that she’s one of us: a parent who walked this road herself. She wasn’t a financial aid expert or scholarship consultant when she started. She was simply a mom with a college-bound son and a determination to find a way to make his education affordable without taking on overwhelming debt.

Continue reading How to Win College Scholarships: A Parent’s Review of Monica Matthews’ Scholarship Guide →
college costs, college planning, FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, Resources

25 Colleges That Offer Full-Ride Financial Aid Based on Family Income (2026 Guide)

full-ride financial aid

If you’re worried that your family’s income is too low to afford college, here’s some encouraging news: many colleges now guarantee free tuition—or even a completely free education—for students whose families fall below certain income thresholds.

These programs are different from merit scholarships. Instead of rewarding grades or test scores alone, they’re designed to make college affordable based on financial need.

The best part? Some colleges cover tuition only, while others provide full-ride financial aid that includes tuition, housing, meals, books, and even personal expenses.

If you’re creating your college list, these schools deserve a close look.

Continue reading 25 Colleges That Offer Full-Ride Financial Aid Based on Family Income (2026 Guide) →
college planning, college prep, common app, essays, parenting

Helping Your Teen Write a Strong College Essay

college essay

For many families, the college application essay is one of the most stressful parts of the admissions process. Unlike transcripts, test scores, and activity lists, the essay asks students to reveal who they are beyond their accomplishments. It’s an opportunity for admissions officers to get to know the person behind the application.

As a parent, you naturally want your child to succeed. However, when it comes to the college essay, the most effective support often comes from guiding rather than directing. The goal is not to write the essay for your teen but to help them tell their own story in a compelling and authentic way.

Here are some practical tips for helping your student navigate the college essay process.

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career planning, careers, college guidance, college planning, college prep, college visits, extracurricular activities, high school, parenting, summer programs

Summer Activities That Help High School Students Prepare for College

summer activities

Summer break should absolutely include rest and fun. But for parents of college-bound teens, summer is also one of the best opportunities for students to grow, explore interests, and strengthen future college applications without the pressure of grades and packed school schedules.

The good news? Your student doesn’t need a resume packed with expensive camps or prestigious internships to make summer meaningful.

What matters most is intentional growth.

Here’s how parents can help upcoming freshmen, sophomores, and juniors use summer wisely while still enjoying being teenagers.

Continue reading Summer Activities That Help High School Students Prepare for College →
college costs, college guidance, college planning, financial planning

4 Smart Ways to Pay for College

pay for college

It is never too early to start planning for college expenses. Going to college is an important step to level up your children’s academic journey and career prospects, and it can play a major role in their social life and approach to the world. 

However, college comes with high costs: according to estimations, the average cost of college in the United States is $38,270 per student per year! In this guide, we’ll look at ways to prepare your finances for such an important step and give four smart ways to pay for college.

Continue reading 4 Smart Ways to Pay for College →