college
When the SATs Confuse Reality TV with Reality
In an effort to be hip, the College Board asked one-third of SAT-takers this year to write an essay on whether reality TV shows are beneficial or harmful. That was a bad choice on multiple levels, and an excellent metaphor for much of what's wrong with the whole college admissions race.
10 Things You'll Be Paying More for This Year
Expect to pay more this year for many consumer goods -- from diapers to toothpaste to Big Macs. Just as the typical American family will finally have a few more dollars to spend, inflation will take a chunk of that extra cash.
Skip the Diploma? Eight Alternatives to College
Suggesting to parents that they should not send their kids to college is controversial, to say the least. But financial writer and investor James Altucher offers several alternatives, from seeing the world to starting up a business to mastering stand-up comedy. And he begins to wonder, himself, "What if...?"
How to Avoid Making Dumb Money Mistakes
Even the smartest people can do dumb things when it comes to money. Do you find yourself accumulating credit-card debt for goodies you don't really need -- and failing to plan for retirement? Here's one financial adviser's five-step plan to break bad habits.
Why Most Colleges Should Give Up Need-Blind Admissions
The idea of need-blind admissions is noble: Offering qualified applicants admission to a university, regardless of their financial circumstances. But in too many cases, need-blind admissions mean young scholars are accepted to their dream schools under circumstances that would make attending financial suicide.
Got College Scholarship Questions? Mark Kantrowitz Has Answers
From online databases to essay-writing tips, college scholarship expert Mark Kantrowitz, founder of free scholarship-matching service Fastweb.com, has scads of advice for the many ways students can boost their odds of winning money to pay for college.
Elite Colleges Aren't the Only Path to Elite Paychecks
A new study confirms that students who are accepted into elite colleges but attend less-selective ones end up earning just as much money as students who attend elite colleges.
College Donations Rebound to 2006 Levels
After falling off during the recession, donations to institutions of higher learning in 2010 recovered to the level they reached in 2006, but after adjusting for inflation, giving was still 8% lower than in that year, according to the Voluntary Support of Education survey.