Are you frustrated or even outraged that college is so expensive? I can assure you… you’re not outraged enough. For many American families, college is one of the most significant financial investments they will ever make. Currently, there are 43 million borrowers with a collective debt of around $1.8 trillion. With an additional 4 million […]
The Importance of Transparency College Aid Pro’s (CAP) Mission is to End the Student Debt Crisis by empowering families to shop smarter for college. This is an audacious and ambitious goal, yet one we believe is achievable. CAP is a strong and growing community of college planning experts, school counselors, administrators, concerned parents, and college […]
I was listening to a financial call-in program the other day and the topic of how a mom was going to pay for her kid’s college came up. She said, “I’m hoping she will get a scholarship.” That was it. She had no money saved, her daughter was in high school and she was counting […]
Most families in the college application process have heard the term “National Merit Scholarship” float around in college counselor meetings and college orientations. However, there is not just one National Merit Scholarship. In fact, there are five different types of scholarships that people lump into the general term of the National Merit Scholarship. In this […]
This was originally written for and published by Saving For College, adapted and expanded for the College Aid Pro community. When families think about bridging the gap between what they have saved for college, the financial aid they’re offered, and the total cost of attendance, their minds usually go straight to private scholarships. After all, […]
Getting a Division 1 athletic scholarship is not an easy task. However, if your student has this goal, there are definitely tips that will increase his or her chances. A few years ago, my youngest daughter, as a high school junior, gave her verbal commitment to play volleyball at a Division 1 college. In some […]
2025-2026 FAFSA Changes for Divorced Families: What You Need to Know If you’re part of a divorced or separated family and have a student preparing for college, you may have heard of the FAFSA—or maybe not! And if you’re feeling a bit unsure about it, you’re definitely not alone. The FAFSA, or Free Application for […]
The 2024-2025 CSS Profile is available now. Before you dive headfirst into filling out this beast, let’s break it down with some basic information and tips to make your life easier. What is the CSS Profile? The College Scholarship Service financial aid application is required at over 200 colleges and universities that follow the […]
Getting all of your financial aid forms completed and submitted is a major milestone. A lot of families use that moment to breathe a sigh of relief and turn their thoughts onto other pressing matters, as well they should. However, pressing “submit” isn’t the end of the story. Read on to find out what happens […]
“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” – Herbert Spencer We created the College Aid Pro platform first and foremost to help fill a massive knowledge gap that we saw in the general public’s understanding of the financial aid system and how to effectively plan for and pay for higher education. Providing […]
4 Steps To Choosing The Right Student Loan In 2024 At College Aid Pro (CAP), our mission is to end the student debt crisis by providing families with the necessary tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about paying for college. We aim for a future where no loans are necessary, but we understand that […]
Many college-bound families look to federal student loan options provided by the U.S. Department of Education to bridge the gap between what they have saved or what funds have been gifted (through scholarships or grants) for college and what their cost of attendance will be. There are three different student loan options through the federal […]
Imagine it – your child applies and gets accepted to their dream school AND is offered a full ride scholarship! You pay nothing out of pocket, your son or daughter is set for college. You go back to sleeping through the night, throw away all loan program information, and no longer worry about how you […]
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