Category Archives: college planning

college costs, college planning, financial aid, financial planning, student loans

How America Pays for College

how america pays for college

Families reported spending an average of $30,837 on college during the 2024–25 academic year—up 9% from $28,409 last year and a return to pre-pandemic spending levels, according to “How America Pays for College 2025,” the annual study by Sallie Mae and Ipsos. Family income and savings covered nearly half of costs (48%), followed by scholarships and grants (27%), borrowing (23%), and contributions from family or friends (2%).

For more detailed information beyond the graphic above, you can download the full report here.

back to school, college planning, parenting, Uncategorized

Back-to-School Tips for Parents of High School Students

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS

The new school year is here, and high school students face the challenge of balancing academics, extracurriculars, and social life. As a parent, your support can make a huge difference. These practical back-to-school tips can help your teen thrive this year.

1. Set a Consistent Routine

A predictable daily schedule keeps teens on track. Encourage regular sleep, meal, and study times, along with planned breaks. A consistent routine reduces stress and improves focus.

2. Create an Organized Study Space

A quiet, clutter-free study area helps your teen concentrate. Make sure they have good lighting, necessary supplies, and minimal distractions. Personalize the space to suit their learning style.

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college costs, college guidance, college planning, college prep, financial planning

The Rise of the 3-Year Degree: What You Need to Know

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3-year degree

If you’re the parent of a college-bound student, you’ve probably had a few sleepless nights wondering: How are we going to afford this? Between rising tuition, student loan anxiety, and the pressure to launch into the workforce quickly, the traditional four-year degree may feel out of step with today’s realities.

Fortunately, a growing number of colleges and universities are now offering a faster, more affordable option: the three-year degree.

Here’s what’s behind the trend—and how to tell if it might be a smart fit for your teen.

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college planning, college prep, college visits, essays, parenting, scholarships

Fight Summer Boredom With These Smart Tips

fight summer boredom

Summer break is here! While it’s a much-needed breather from the stress of the school year, it can also lead to a tremendous amount of downtime. If you’re the parent of a high school student, especially one heading into junior or senior year, you’ve probably heard the “I’m bored” chorus more than once already.

The good news? Summer offers a golden opportunity to help your teen make meaningful progress on their college journey without feeling like it’s all work and no fun. Here are some smart, low-stress ways to help your teen fight summer boredom while also easing their transition into college planning.

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college housing, college planning, dorm life, off-campus housing

Where Should Your Student Live During College?

live during college

Helping your child choose where to stash their ramen, laundry, and existential dread is a rite of passage in higher education. Parents fret over safety, students fantasize about freedom, and everyone worries about who is going to take out the trash. Where should your student live during college? Should they live on campus, off campus, or start a commune in the library basement? Let’s take a look at the perfect place for your college kid to lay their head.

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admissions, college apps, college guidance, college planning, college prep

College Hopes and Worries Survey

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hopes

The last few months have been a nerve-racking stretch for the more than 1 million high school seniors and their parents receiving decisions about their college applications. According to a January 16 report from Common App, an organization that has more than 860 colleges among its member institutions, applications are up 7% this year (up 3% to private institutions and 11% to public institutions). Hopes spring eternal. 

If you haven’t been on Reddit lately, spend a few minutes and pop in on the /ApplyingtoCollege subreddit. It’s flooded with students (and some parents) expressing woes over the college application process and the admission offers (or lack thereof) from the Ivies and the UC system of colleges.

It’s amazing to me how many excellent students apply to these schools every year, hoping against hope to get an offer of admission only to be rejected from every one of them. With so many colleges and universities in the country, there are other schools that would offer the same education.

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admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep

Planning for College: 5 Stress-Free Tips

planning for college

Planning for college can feel like juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope, but panicking never helped anyone get into their dream school. It doesn’t have to be a panic. College is the place where you are aiming to kickstart your career. 

And with a few smart steps and a dash of chill out, you can tackle the whole process without losing your mind or your GPA. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just wondering if applying to college will always be so hard, here are 5 stress-free tips to help when planning for college.

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college fairs, college planning, college prep

How to Make the Most of Spring College Fairs and Info Sessions

college fairs

Spring is full of opportunities to connect with colleges through college fairs and virtual events. These events can open new doors, but preparation is key. Here’s how to help your student navigate college fairs and make lasting impressions.

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admissions, college planning, college prep, parenting

College Application Season Starts Now for Rising Seniors

COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON

It may still be spring, but college application season is just around the corner. The more your junior does now, the less stressful senior year will be. And summer is the best time to start the process.

Here’s how to set them up for a strong start this summer.

1. Brainstorm Essay Ideas

Encourage your student to reflect on meaningful life moments and write down possible personal statement topics. These early brainstorms can turn into solid essay drafts later on.

Parent Tip: Ask questions like “What’s something you’re proud of?” or “When did you overcome a challenge?”

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Alternatives to College, college guidance, college planning, parenting

When Plan B Becomes the Best Plan

plan b

What do you do when Plan A doesn’t work out and your student is forced to take a look at Plan B? Here’s what happened in our family.

My son had his heart set on one school. For years, he talked about attending the United States Naval Academy. His walls were covered in Navy posters, he subscribed to their YouTube channel, and he even attended a summer seminar program there between his junior and senior year. He admired the discipline, the challenge, and the honor of service. When it came time to apply, he poured everything into the process: excellent grades, participation in NJROTC competitions, letters of recommendation, and hours spent polishing his personal statement.

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