You know there are a million scholarships out there, but where do you begin finding the right one for you? Starting your search can feel intimidating and staying on top of it all can be even more difficult. What’s the big secret? Organization is the key! Here is a step-by-step list you can follow to keep your scholarship search organized and ...

Applications for scholarships, check. Applications for student government aid, check. Application to become a sugar baby—wait—what? Many students are currently finding themselves in the all too common money squeeze and are turning to dating sites that brand themselves as “sugar” web sites, in hopes to help pay off their overwhelming debts.[gate] As tuition costs increase, memberships to sites like SeekingArrangement.com and ...

Contrary to popular belief, Gen Zers are worried about more than their next Facebook Status Update or the latest YouTube sensation. In fact, they’re worried about the same things their parents are, according to a study by TD Ameritrade. The study surveyed approximately 2,001 students between the ages of 13 – 22 as well as parents of students in the same ...

Are you a smoker? If so, when did you start? According to the surgeon general’s report for 2012, 90% of smokers started by age 18, and 99% by age 26, and currently, anywhere from a third to a quarter of college students fall into that category. Now, colleges and universities across the country are taking action to help prevent the “epidemic ...

National Decision Day, May 1st, is right around the corner. As seniors make that final college decision and close the strenuous college admissions process, there’s plenty of cause for celebration. To help mark the occasion, the National College Advising Corps (NCAC) is hosting National Decision Day events and activities across the country from April 29th to May 29th, according to a ...

The early 1980’s witnessed a major milestone for women in education. For the first time ever, females surpassed males in college enrollment. In 1996, there were more women than men who had completed a bachelor’s degree. Now, women are celebrating another huge achievement. The U.S. Census Bureau statistics reveal that more employed women than men have college degrees. Based off of ...

What was once a time to party and kick back with friends has now become a time to give back and serve others – at least if MTV has anything to say about it. The network that infamously hosts annual Spring Break specials has put the party agenda aside this year in order to encourage college students to make a difference. ...

With college expenses piling up and the financial crisis looming over the nation, colleges are now doing more than ever to recruit students to their schools. One such method that’s become increasingly popular is the guarantee of the four-year degree, with the promise that additional tuition will be free after four years. These programs are popular among prospective college students, especially ...

Who can forget that iconic moment in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory when Charlie opens his Wonka Bar to find the last, remaining Golden Ticket? Or, from the film, the tune “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” – the celebratory song led by Charlie’s grandfather who hasn’t gotten out of bed in 20 years? These moments are providing a great comparison ...

Mark Kantrowitz, a nationally recognized financial expert, has been honored by the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA) with the 2011 Creative Leadership Award. This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated, through significant leadership, innovation in the student financial aid profession. The presentation was made at CASFAA's annual conference on Sunday, December 11, 2011 in Sacramento, ...

According to a survey, graduating students have unrealistic expectations regarding their post-graduation jobs. The students currently enrolled in college that are set to graduate in 2013, as reported by Accenture’s survey, over estimate the likelihood of gaining a well-paid, full-time position within their area of expertise. [gate] The survey was conducted by polling more than 1,000 students who are graduating this ...

It’s no secret that students are held to an almost-impossible standard of perfection. This comes from many areas: parents, teachers and, mostly society. The pressure to succeed can become unbearable because, after all, nobody’s perfect. If you don’t think it’s a trend, you may want to open your eyes. Even in researching this article, it was amazing how many students commented ...

In January, President Obama urged states to make college education a higher priority in his State of the Union Address. He also pleaded with institutions of higher learning to control tuition inflation. However, the President did not define how states and colleges and universities could implement his call to action. Instead, he has left it up to them. Whether or not ...

This summer, a number of states and colleges have slashed grant funding and raised tuition prices, giving students and their families little time to prepare for the hikes that will go into effect soon. According to Smart Money, Texas and New Hampshire announced tuition increases from 6 – 10% at some public universities. California just proposed to continue to drive tuition ...

Textbooks and classroom materials are one of those college costs that are out of sight, out of mind until you’re precariously balancing 10 different hardcover books through the narrow aisles of your campus bookstore. And those textbooks signify an altogether different burden when the cashier asks you to fork over roughly $1,000. According to CollegeBoard, the average amount that college students ...

Whoever said it doesn't pay to play was clearly mistaken. Apparently, the partier-to-impressive-post-grad-career combo is still on the menu for some schools. So, what’s the key element in finding these hot spots? [gate] It all started as most great studies do: by following the money trail. The Princeton Review. The key component to point out, however, is that the schools with ...

We know it's cold out, but don’t forget about your college search! There’s so much to do and the winter season is no exception. Here are some suggestions, via The New York Times, of what you can work on this month to get ahead. You’ll be happy you did once crunch time comes along! [gate] Finished? Correction, almost finished. Don’t forget ...

The recent adoption of questions involving an applicant’s sexual orientation and gender identity on college applications finds controversy among admissions.[gate] MIT, the University of Iowa, Adler School of Professional Psychology and Elmhurst College are among the institutions beginning to ask applicants about their sexual orientation. It’s important to remember that institutions shouldn't ask questions because it’s “hip”—the information obtained should have ...

Japan may be half a world away but you can still make a difference in the lives of those who survived the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11th. While you may be a poor college student, or about to become a poor college student, there are little ways for you to give back to families who have lost loved ...

Mark Kantrowitz is known throughout the Fastweb community and the country as the expert on all things relating to financial aid. Everyone looks to him for advice – from Fastweb members to Congressmen on Capitol Hill. On February 8th, Kantrowitz provided his latest insights in his new book, Secrets to Winning a Scholarship. Since then, the book has not only made ...