How financial aid actually works. Grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study explained
A clear guide to how financial aid really works, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work‑study.
Salah Assana
I’m a first-generation college student and the creator of The College Grind, dedicated to helping peers navigate higher education with practical advice and honest encouragement.
What to consider before choosing pass/fail, withdrawing, or requesting an incomplete
Learn when pass/fail, withdrawals, and incompletes help you and how to avoid unintended consequences.
What a "good" college schedule actually looks like and why it depends on you
Understand what makes a college schedule sustainable and why the answer is different for every student.
How to use the course catalog to plan a manageable semester
Understand what the course catalog really tells you and use it to plan a semester you can handle.
How to choose your classes strategically and build a semester that works for you
Choose classes with a clear strategy so you can build a semester that supports your goals and capacity.
What academic advising is—and what it is not
A practical summary of what advising is, what it is not, and how to navigate it effectively.
What professors expect from students (but rarely say out loud)
A practical breakdown of the hidden curriculum in college and the behaviors professors expect but rarely explain.