Meet Kyla Sykes, Bound for Nursing at Luther College

Christy Sykes, mom of future pediatric nurse Kyla, encourages all families with first generation college students to assertively pursue the college search. “Most definitely seek out and find what is available,” she say. “You have nothing to lose! We were so surprised by what she actually could receive in the way of support and financial…

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Insider tips for the week of April 5, 2021

boy deciding on college

  Controversial financial aid change – A new FAFSA change will dramatically reduce the amount of financial aid middle and upper-income families with more than one child in college at the same time will receive. Check out our article on this significant news.   10 ways to help your teen with the college decision –…

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1 MIN VIDEO: Strategic Thinking About Loans, Beyond the Federal Loan

What if the Federal Loan isn’t enough for your student?  Strategic thinking about loan options beyond the federal loan — with important cautions for parents — from College Inside Track Manager of Education and Partnerships Cozy Wittman. An additional resource from CIT President Chris Wills:   Four Last Chance Financial Aid Strategies For Parents  

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U of Minnesota To Offer Free Tuition to Lower Income Residents

University of Minnesota regents in February approved a free tuition plan for students of families learning less that 50k per year.   The offer applies to student who will study at the flagship campus in Minneapolis (where tuition will run approximately 15k per year), along with the University’s campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester.  …

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Insider tips for the week of March 1, 2021

female student holding cell phone

  Huge change for grandparents contributing to college – The FAFSA changes included in the December COVID relief bill contain a HUGE one for grandparents: Cash contributions from grandparents, including distributions from grandparent-owned 529 plans, will no longer hurt a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Check out our article on this significant news.   How…

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“How Many AP or IB Classes Should My Child Take?”

It’s that time of year: high school students are arranging their class schedules for next term.  One of the most common questions we hear is:  “How many AP or IB classes should my child take?” Q:   Kelly will have completed four AP classes by the end of this year, as a junior — AP US…

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Insider Tips for the week of February 1, 2021

college application stands out

  I’m worried my child won’t get into a good college – The Atlantic’s Lori Gottlieb writes an important piece about how we as parents help our children address disappointment in the college process, but more importantly, in life. From the moment kids are born, they take their cues from the adults around them about…

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Pick One! Project-based Applicant Development

scholarships good idea

College Inside Track consultant Greta Van Ochten discusses the work of Pick One, College Inside Track’s project-based client development program.   Pick One kicks off this week with a client webinar, for students in 9th through 12 grade.   Tell me about the CIT Pick One program.   College applications are increasingly asking questions related to…

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