Tips to being a smart college shopper.

Lighthouse College PlanningUncategorized

Be a Smart College Shopper: Don’t overbuy your college tuition. Know that a low tuition doesn’t mean a low quality of education. Don’t buy solely based on a brand name or random statistics. Avoid “impulse buying” – geography, alma mater, etc. Avoid “dumb shopping” – buying based on name of university and not based on the program. Some unknown colleges/universities …

Make your holiday break count.

Lighthouse College PlanningCollege Planning, financial planning, Uncategorized

| Make your holiday break count | Staying up late, sleeping in, resting, regrouping, and relaxing are probably on every student’s to-do list. A break from school, whether it be high school or college, is a great respite. By all means, enjoy the time off but once you have been able to sleep in and recover from final exams, what …

Average Students: Where do they fit in?

Lighthouse College PlanningCollege Planning, financial planning, Uncategorized

Average students: Where do they fit in to the whole college admissions equation? Ask new residents how they ended up in a particular neighborhood and no doubt good schools and education will come up in the equation. You may be blessed to live in an area with high educational standards and achievement but recognize that that can be a challenge …

Happy New Year. Now fill out that FAFSA!

Lighthouse College PlanningCollege Planning, financial planning, Uncategorized

January 1 – Happy New Year’s! Don’t forget to get started on those important New Year’s resolutions – exercise more, eat healthier, get more sleep, get better organized, etc. Enjoy the day but don’t forget something very important – get that FAFSA completed. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid can be submitted on January 1st (midnight to be exact) …

NAIA Scholarships: A Great Option

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If you are a high school student who is considering college athletics, don’t overlook the lesser-known NAIA programs. Many times schools associated with NAIA can offer very lucrative scholarship/grant packages and you are given the opportunity to continue on in your sport while focusing on academics. NAIA schools often reward students for being student-athletes with the emphasis on STUDENT. Many …

Who is Paying What?

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When thinking about funding your children’s college education, don’t sabotage your own retirement. Let’s face it no one is going to loan you money to retire. Fifty-six percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 46% have saved less than $10,000.1 As the cost of college is dramatically soaring , you may be forced to make …

529 Plans

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A 529 Plan is an educational savings plan offered by a state or financial institution. Using a 529 Plan to save for college has pluses and minuses. This video which features John Groleau illuminates some of the pros and cons of investing in a 529 plan. Click here to see the video http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/7821398-survive-this-economy-saving-for-your-kids-college-tuition/ You can even compare state plans on …

Time Management Matters

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Have you ever wondered how some people get so much done? They have mastered the skill of time management. The semester is in full swing. Right now, it’s more important than ever to use your time wisely. For seniors, it’s time to finish those college applications. For juniors, it’s time to take the standardized tests and maybe do some college …

College Fairs

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College Fairs are a great way to ‘see’ several colleges in one place. Each fair hosts several colleges at once. Students can walk from booth to booth and speak to admissions reps from all over the country. We recommend students come dressed appropriately with their college resumes in hand. Students, be sure to ask for a business card from each …

Job Shadowing Over Winter Break

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It’s mid-September and you’re now back in the swing of school. Winter break may seem like a long way off, but it’s only a few short months away. This is a great time to schedule Job Shadow opportunities. Job shadowing not only gives you the opportunity to observe potential career choices, but it also allows you to make contacts. These …