Resources

What To Check If You Haven't Received Your Financial Aid Offer - Sallie

Ed Recker, FAAC® — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:57:06 GMT

Key takeaways about financial aid offer delays

Confirm that your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) was processed and sent to the right school. Then check your college portal for any unfinished financial aid requirements.
Watch for messages, respond quickly, and ask for help before deadlines become urgent. Missing documents or verification forms may prevent the school from finalizing your offer.
Review your complete financial aid offer before making payment decisions. Compare it with your college costs to calculate how much your family may still need to cover.
Compare borrowing options carefully before covering a remaining balance. Review federal and private student loans, understand the cost of each option, and borrow only what you need.
Keep searching for scholarships after your offer arrives. Additional awards may reduce your remaining balance and the amount you need to borrow

If you’re still waiting for your financial aid offer, it’s completely understandable to feel some anxiety. You may be facing enrollment deadlines, housing decisions, or a tuition bill without knowing how much college will actually cost your family.

8 Lesser-Known Scholarships Students Often Miss - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:05:10 GMT

Key takeaways about hidden scholarships

Look beyond the biggest national scholarships. Many overlooked mopportunities are tied to specific interests, communities, and experiences.
Start your search close to home. Local organizations, employers, and community groups often offer awards that students overlook.
Use your interests to find better-fit opportunities. Hobbies, volunteer work, career goals, and memberships can help uncover scholarships you may qualify for.
Don't dismiss smaller awards. Multiple scholarships worth a few hundred or a few thousand dollars can add up over time.
Apply consistently throughout the year. Scholarship search tools, no-essay opportunities, and easy-apply programs can help you keep momentum going.

I know applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming.

Low Competition Scholarships Most Students Miss - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:55:01 GMT

5 key takeaways about low competition scholarships

Scholarships with extra requirements may be less competitive.
Local and niche scholarships often have fewer applicants.
Scholarships that fit your background can improve your odds.
Applying early can help you submit a stronger application.
A mix of easy scholarships and low competition scholarships works best.

What Rankings Won't Tell You About Grad School - Sallie

Ed Recker, FAAC® — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:47:38 GMT

Key takeaways

Grad school rankings can be a helpful starting point, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Financial aid, location, and curriculum were the top factors students said shaped their final grad school choice.
Many students wish they had researched financial aid, career outcomes, job market conditions, and curriculum more before deciding.
A more affordable school can still be the right choice, especially if the aid offer, program fit, and career path make sense.
Comparing schools side by side can help you feel more confident before you commit.

For many students, graduate school rankings are a natural first step when researching where to apply. Publications like U.S. News & World Report release an annual list of the “best” programs, which are based on a mix of metrics and subjective input.

Unlock Access to Hidden Scholarships Through Social Media - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:03:10 GMT

Key takeaways

Social media platforms like TikTok are becoming common scholarship discovery tools.
About 3 in 5 students who used TikTok for scholarship searches discovered scholarships they hadn’t heard of before.
Students are increasingly finding hidden gem scholarships through creator recommendations and algorithm-driven content.
Verification remains important since many students report encountering misleading information online.

Social media has become part of the modern scholarship search, especially for Gen Z students. According to Sallie’s latest research study, 68% of Gen Z students have used TikTok to search for scholarships. A quick scroll may lead you to scholarship opportunities, application deadlines, and stories from content creators who’ve already won money for college.

How to Use TikTok Effectively And Safely To Find Scholarships - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Fri, 08 May 2026 19:54:41 GMT

Key takeaways

TikTok can help you find more scholarships, but it's a smart idea to verify opportunities with other sources.
Many students rely on what they see, but only 27% always verify information before applying.
Misleading content is common so taking a few minutes to double-check can save you time.
Trust signals like views or personal stories can help, but they don’t guarantee a scholarship is legit.
The real payoff in scholarship money comes when you verify, apply, and stay consistent.

If you’ve ever come across a scholarship on TikTok or online and thought, “Is this actually real?”—you’re not alone.

*Source: "TikTok made me apply: Inside Gen Z's scholarship search habits"

Grad School Application Timeline: What You Need to Know - Sallie

Ed Recker, FAAC® — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:29:10 GMT

Key takeaways about the real grad school application timeline

Start early. Strong grad school applications usually begin 12–24 months before deadlines.
Clarify your goal. Your career direction shapes your program list, essays, experience, and recommendations.
Build real experience. Research projects, internships, and independent work are stronger when they develop over time.
Grow your support. Strong recommendation letters come from professors, supervisors, and mentors who know your work well.
Stay organized. Application requirements and deadlines are easier to manage when tracked in a spreadsheet.
Search funding early. Scholarships, fellowships, and other funding options may have deadlines before applications are due.

Accelerated Degree vs. Traditional & Dual Degrees - Sallie

Ed Recker, FAAC® — Wed, 06 May 2026 18:51:50 GMT

Key takeaways

Accelerated grad degrees are fastest, often 12–18 months, and most intense.
Traditional grad degrees are slower, often 2+ years, but may be more flexible.
Dual degree programs are usually longest and the most intensive, but may offer broader career options.
Your decision comes down to time, cost, and how much you're able to balance school with other things in life.
Planning ahead matters—students who prepare financially report higher satisfaction.

Three paths, very different experiences

Grad school isn’t just about what you study—it’s about the structure of the program and how that shapes your day-to-day experience.

Accelerated, traditional, and dual degree programs can lead to similar outcomes, but they can feel very different day to day. One moves fast and often requires your full attention. Another gives you more flexibility with your time. The third commits you to studying across multiple disciplines.

How Gen Z Is Using TikTok To Reinvent Scholarship Search - Sallie

Emily Schumann — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:28:28 GMT

Key takeaways

About 2 in 3 (68%) of students use TikTok to look for scholarships.*
TikTok can help you discover scholarships you might not find elsewhere.
Quick videos make it easier to understand what a scholarship requires.
Not all information is accurate, so it’s important to double-check details.
Using TikTok with trusted tools can help you find and apply to more scholarships.

If you’ve been using TikTok alongside your usual scholarship search—checking school websites, using search tools, or talking to your counselor—you’re already doing something smart. I’m seeing more and more students take this approach, and it often leads to finding opportunities they wouldn’t have come across otherwise.

Source: "TikTok made me apply: Inside Gen Z's scholarship search habits"

Is Grad School Worth It? What You Need to Know – Sallie

Ed Recker, FAAC® — Fri, 01 May 2026 19:09:17 GMT

How students are thinking about grad school today

If you’ve been going back and forth about grad school, you’re not alone. A lot of students and recent grads reach this point—especially when the next step isn’t clear.