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.
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 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.
What is the Ivy League? Probably not what you think
Learn what the Ivy League really means, where the term comes from, and why it has little to do with academic rankings.
Why community college graduation rates are misleading
Understand why community college completion numbers appear low and what they miss about student goals.