Financial Aid Archives

The Truth About “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

FAFSA Financial Advice Financial Aid

All About the FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know

For many families, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is both one of the most important and most confusing steps in the college journey. You may have heard…

Regan Blume September 23, 2025

Financial Aid Preparing for College Scholarships

Scholarship Search 101: A Parent’s Quick Start Guide

Your time is limited. Paying for college shouldn’t feel impossible. Search “college scholarships,” and you’ll see the problem: endless links, outdated pages, and vague promises. For busy parents, it’s hard…

Regan Blume August 14, 2025

Financial Aid

The Real Cost of College: What Parents Wish They Knew Sooner

Your student got accepted. The dorm is picked. The excitement is real. But as you start ordering bedding, reviewing the book list, and booking that plane ticket home for Thanksgiving,…

Regan Blume July 2, 2025

Scholarships

How Social Media Can Help (or Hurt) Your Scholarship Chances

Besties, there’s nobody that loves a good selfie dump like ya girl. But these days, social media isn’t all fun and games, unforch. Everything you post online lives forever, which…

Regan Blume May 23, 2025

Scholarships

Scholarships for Women (2025)

For many students, especially women, navigating the world of scholarships can feel overwhelming. Balancing school, work, caregiving, and/or even entrepreneurship while also finding the right financial support might feel like…

Regan Blume May 12, 2025

After College College Life FAFSA

Financial Aid for Graduate Students – What Changes?

If you're heading to grad school, you’ve probably noticed that the financial aid landscape looks quite different from your undergrad days. From fewer grant options to higher borrowing limits, understanding…

Regan Blume April 25, 2025

Scholarships

Scholarships for Writers (2025)

This week at Red Kite, I wanted to help out my fellow writer Kitelings! (Writelings?) Not to toot my own horn (TOOT TOOT), but having an English Literature/Creative Writing degree…

Jane Cooper March 10, 2025

College Life FAFSA Federal Aid

What to Do If You’re Not Eligible for the FAFSA

For many students, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to essential financial assistance for college. But what happens if you find out you're not eligible?…

Regan Blume February 14, 2025

Scholarships

10 Ways Parents Can Help With Scholarships

Your child doesn’t have to navigate the scholarship process alone. Parents play a vital role in helping students secure financial aid that can significantly reduce college costs. Whether your child…

Jane Cooper January 24, 2025