Parent PLUS Loans explained. The most misunderstood (and risky) way to pay for college
How Parent PLUS Loans work and the major risks families face when borrowing to pay for college.
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.
A step‑by‑step guide to applying for scholarships. What works and how to do it
A practical, step‑by‑step guide to applying for scholarships, with clear actions that actually work.
How colleges use scholarships to shape their student body
How colleges use scholarships to attract certain students, shape their class profile, and meet institutional goals.
How outside scholarships affect financial aid. Why they don’t always save you money
Winning scholarships doesn’t always mean a smaller bill. Understand scholarship displacement, FAFSA impacts, and how colleges may cut grants, loans, or work-study.
Comprehensive list of no‑essay and lottery‑style scholarships
A simple list of current no‑essay and lottery‑style scholarships students can apply to fast.
Beyond "easy scholarships". A structured guide to lower-competition scholarships
Realistic scholarship options with smaller applicant pools, from local and niche awards to employer and automatic merit scholarships.
Comprehensive list of colleges with the best honors scholarships
Comprehensive list of honors colleges with full-ride, full-tuition, and major merit scholarships.