Scholarship Institute Editorial Team

Image Credit: Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock Tara Mier for Scholarship Institute As college expenses increase, financial aid has become a lifeline for most students and families. According to Experian, for the 2024-2025 school year, tuition and fees ranged from $11,610 at in-state public colleges to $43,350 at private nonprofits. When you factor in housing, meals, and supplies,…

Image Credit: BalanceFormCreative // Shutterstock Trevor Mahoney for Scholarship Institute Spurred by the pandemic and a greater demand for flexibility, online higher education programs have begun to evolve from niche to mainstream in 2025. These fully online enrollment programs, now representing a sizable share of the U.S. education market, are reshaping who enrolls, the studies…

Image Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO // Shutterstock Tara Mier for Scholarship Institute Standardized testing continues to be a critical component in U.S. education and college admissions. This stands true even as formats evolve and new technologies reshape the academic experience. This explainer from Scholarship Institute, helps students and parents understand the latest changes, how AI plays…

Image Credit: Red Herring // Shutterstock Trevor Mahoney for Scholarship Institute Choosing a college major is an intricate balancing act between passion and practicality. However, an ever-fluctuating job market influenced by emerging technologies often subtly guides the practicality side of the decision. In 2025, amidst breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, data analytics, health care, and more,…

Image Credit: Hi-Point // Shutterstock Tara Mier for Scholarship Institute  The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted millions of kids’ learning, leaving many behind in reading and math. Tutoring can be the answer, but it’s important to know that not all tutoring strategies are created equal. The Institute of Education Sciences reported on a 2020 meta-analysis of 96…

Image Credit: Red Herring // Shutterstock Trevor Mahoney for Scholarship Institute For families and individuals beginning to navigate the path to higher education, the cost of tuition often stands out as one of the largest barriers to entry. This issue becomes particularly apparent when looking at private vs. public institutions, especially when crossing state lines….

Tara Mier for Scholarship Institute As college costs soar, securing financial aid has become paramount for students pursuing higher education. Scholarships help reduce the burden of college costs without requiring repayment, making them essential tools for accessing quality education.  For students prepping for college, starting the scholarship application process early is crucial. Many of the…

Tara Mier for Scholarship Institute The 2024-2025 admissions cycle flipped the script. Application surges, shifting test policies, and AI tools have reshaped how colleges choose students. For applicants in 2025-2026, it’s more competitive, but also full of opportunity. Scholarship Institute compiled a college application guide to help you work the system, not get worked by…

It’s no secret that a college education doesn’t come cheap. As of 2024, the average annual cost of college in the U.S. was $38,270. That’s more than double the cost of college in the 20th century, so it’s no wonder that student loan debt sits at $1.814 trillion. With such stark statistics, how can you…

The average college graduate in the United States leaves school with over $40,000 in student loan debt, a financial burden that can take decades to repay. For many students and families, that number isn’t just overwhelming, it’s paralyzing.  Whether you’re a high school senior preparing for college or a current student reconsidering how to finance…

Misinformation about financial aid myths can derail even the best college plans, leaving students and families confused or stuck with unnecessary debt. From FAFSA misconceptions to confusion over scholarships, these myths can cost you thousands.  In this guide, we’ll bust 10 common college financial aid myths, share financial aid facts, and give you practical strategies…