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Community Service Scholarships

Community service scholarships reward you for helping others. It’s a nice way of doing well by doing good. In addition to the resources listed below, students who are involved in volunteering and community service should ask whether there are any awards available at the location where they perform their community service. It is quite common…

9 Things I Wish People Understood About Getting Into College

Check out this great article by Katherine Cohen I recently came across; it is a little long but worth the read! — Jay 9 Things I Wish People Understood About Getting Into College By Katherine Cohen As an independent college counselor, I get questions every day about the college admissions process and what it takes…

Unusual Scholarships

While definitely the most popular, unusual scholarships are oftentimes the most exclusive. Their eligibility requirements are strict, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find an unusual scholarship for which you qualify. This list of scholarships s organized according to some of the more common subcategories of unusual scholarships, such as physical characteristics, creativity, last name,…

11 Weird College Scholarships for Which You May Qualify

Are you a fan of the number 5 or are a natural redhead or a lefty? Do you love peanut butter or can you carve a pumpkin or maybe you are tall? Here is a list of 11 of the weirdest college scholarships that you might be interested in or at least find humorous. The…

5 Surprises Behind the Student Debt Crisis

Student debt continues to rise. In MN the average student debt now exceeds $30,000. When you add the debt that parents often take on in addition to the student’s debt the family debt for college is approaching $50,000. Unfortunately, I have seen families who have $100,000 or more in student debt. Clearly the student debt…

Student Loan Debt and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

It is obvious to anyone who hears the news that student loan debt has reached a crisis level. The total student debt in this country now exceeds $1.2 TRILLION and is larger than credit card debt. At College Inside Track, we have saved families hundreds of thousands of dollars during our more than 10 years…

How the College Class of 2019 Sees the World. A Must Read!

Each August since 1998, Beloit College in Beloit, WI., has released the Beloit College Mindset List, providing a look at the cultural touchstones and experiences that have shaped the worldview of students entering colleges and universities in the fall. Click here to read the list for the class of 2019. The list is a real…

Student Debt Takes a Bite Out of Paychecks

  It’ seems like everywhere you turn there is a story about student debt. While every study and report indicates that going to college is still crucial for a successful career it is also true that the debt some families take on to send a student to college can be a crushing burden. Read this…

A Note to Seniors

  As your final high school year begins, I want to wish you all the best. You’ll soon be busy with school work. On top of that, the next few months will be hectic because you also have to complete your college applications. Here are the things you need to know and do in the…

Student Loan Option if You Need to Borrow

If you are still looking to fill the financial gap for your student’s college cost I suggest that you take a look at these options. Your first choice should be the Federal Direct loan. That program has low interest rates and flexible terms for repayment once your student graduates college. Some families find it necessary…