Red Kite Blog

How to Read a Financial Aid Offer Letter

Getting into college is exciting but the decision often comes down to something much more practical: What will it actually cost? That answer lives in your financial aid offer letter.…

Regan Blume March 31, 2026

College Application Preparing for College

Letters of Recommendation: How to Ask (and Why They Matter)

When you’re working on applications, whether for college, scholarships, internships, or graduate programs, it’s easy to focus on essays, transcripts, and test scores. But one piece can carry just as…

Regan Blume March 19, 2026

Scholarships

The Scholarship Search Playbook: What to Avoid + What to Trust

Finding scholarships shouldn’t feel like gambling with your time, or your personal information. And with scholarship tools and platforms sometimes changing course (or even shutting down) with little warning, it…

Regan Blume March 12, 2026

Financial Aid Scholarships

Scholarship Deadlines and Momentum: How to Make the Best Use of 1 Hour This Week

Between classes, activities, and the pace of everyday life, staying on top of scholarships and financial aid can feel like one more thing competing for attention. But here’s the good…

Regan Blume February 26, 2026

College Life Financial Aid Preparing for College

New Semester, New Money: How Parents Can Keep Scholarship Momentum Going

The semester is in full swing and for many families, that means a steady stream of financial decisions. Between classes, scholarships, and deadlines, it’s easy for things to spiral into…

Regan Blume February 13, 2026

College Life Preparing for College

Start Spring Strong: A January Reset Guide

January offers something rare in the college planning journey: a pause. After the rush of fall applications, deadlines, and decisions, the start of a new semester creates a natural reset…

Regan Blume January 13, 2026

College Life General Preparing for College

Happy New Year from Red Kite

Happy New Year! As we head into a new year, we want to say a sincere thank you for being part of the Red Kite community. Students, parents, and educators,…

Regan Blume January 6, 2026

College Application Preparing for College

Financial Fit vs. Dream School: How to Find the Right Balance

It’s exciting when your student falls in love with their “dream school” and as a new year begins, that excitement can start to feel more real as decision deadlines and…

Regan Blume December 15, 2025

College Application FAFSA Federal Aid

FAFSA Submitted: What to Expect Next

The FAFSA is officially off your to-do list. Now let’s talk about what comes next. For many parents, this is when the real questions start. Once your FAFSA is processed,…

Regan Blume November 20, 2025

College Application Financial Aid

“Need-Based” vs “Merit-Based” Aid, and How to Qualify for Both

The number one question we hear from parents during application season is, “How do we pay for college?” Between scholarships, grants, and financial aid offers, the language can get confusing…

Regan Blume October 29, 2025