How to read your financial aid award letter. Without getting confused
Learn how to read your financial aid award letter and avoid the common points of confusion that trip students up.
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 is the Pell Grant? Who qualifies and how to get it
How the Pell Grant works, the eligibility rules, and the steps to receive it through the FAFSA.
How is financial aid is calculated? What colleges really look at
Understand the key inputs behind financial aid calculations so you can plan with realistic numbers.
What is the CSS profile? The financial aid form you might not expect
The CSS Profile is a lesser‑known financial aid form used by many private colleges.
How to fill out the FAFSA. A step-by-step guide for first-time applicants
Clear guidance on deadlines, documents, FSA IDs, and common mistakes so you can confidently apply for college aid.
A complete guide to funding your education. Grants, savings, loans, and scholarships explained
Understand the full college funding picture, from FAFSA and grants to savings, work, loans, and scholarships.
What is an honors college? Understanding the "college within a college" model
The honors college model creates a small, high-resource academic community within the scale of a large research university.