Joanna Nesbit, Freelance Writer

Joanna Nesbit

Money Magazine

  • How to Apply for FAFSADecember 2023

    The FAFSA is the gateway to financial aid, merit scholarships, work-study, and student loans. This year's FAFSA (for the 2024-25 academic year) features sweeping changes, including fewer questions and a new formula. It's also running way behind. Here's what to know.

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  • How to Pay for College Without LoansAugust 2023

    It's not easy to pay for college without loans -- in fact, many people can't do it -- but if you're super strategic about where you go, choose cost-saving measures like commuting from home, or opt for a less traditional pathway, it may be possible.

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  • Guide to College Grants and ScholarshipsJune 2023

    Do you know the difference between grants and scholarships? This piece breaks it all down and includes tips on the best places to find free money.

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  • When is the FAFSA Due?June 2023

    You can fill out the FAFSA for federal aid all the way up until June 30, but there are other deadlines to know about. Here's why you shouldn't skip filling it out.

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  • How Much Money Should You Borrow For College? Experts Offer Some Hard TruthsMay 2023

    For most students, it's difficult to go to college without borrowing, and if you don't have parent help, it's even harder. But borrowing too much for a degree that won't pay well at the end of it all can backfire. What to consider.

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  • Yes, Colleges Really Can Cut Your Financial Aid if You Win Other ScholarshipsApril 2023

    You'd think all your outside scholarships would help you, right? But if you qualify for need-based aid, your private scholarships could reduce that aid, leaving you back at square one. It's complicated. Here's what to know.

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  • 4 Myths About College Scholarships That Could Cost YouFebruary 2023

    If you don't know how scholarships work, it's easy to assume you can find them anywhere. But there's a bit more to it than that. I bust some popular ideas here and explain where to find the best scholarships.

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  • Low-Income Students Can Get More Money to Help Pay for College This YearJanuary 2023

    For next fall's students, the Pell Grant is increasing by $500. That's great news -- it's the largest percentage jump in 15 years. There's still more work to be done to bring it in line with today's college costs, but it's a start. Check out what to know here.

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  • Changes to the Financial Aid Formula Could Affect How Much You Pay for CollegeNovember 2022

    The FAFSA's asset protection allowance dipped to $0 for next fall's students for the first time. Back in 2009, it peaked at $84,000. No wonder families aren't qualifying for the same amount of aid. On the upside, the income protection allowance went up this year, so that compensates a bit. Here's what else to know about the formula.

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  • When is the FAFSA deadline?October 2022

    You might think there's a single deadline for the FAFSA.It's true, there's one federal deadline, but institutional and state deadlines vary, so it's important to know them and get your FAFSA turned in before the earliest one.

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  • 5 College Admissions Officers on Their Best Tips for ApplicantsSeptember 2022

    Figuring out how to stand out on applications makes even the most stoic students sweat. Here's what five admissions officers advise, including aiming for best-fit colleges (not most prestigious, be honest, follow directions, and start early.

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  • Colleges are Hiking Tuition This Fall Amid Sky-High InflationJuly 2022

    Colleges are raising tuition this fall because they're caught in the same inflation bind that families are. Make sure you've filled out the FAFSA so you qualify for all that you're eligible for.

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  • 3 Ways College Financial Aid Letters Can Confuse Families -- and What to Do About itMarch 2022

    Analyzing college financial aid letters is tough for the savviest families, so if you're new to the process, you're not alone in your confusion. Here's what to understand.

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  • This Student Loan Loophole Could Cut Parent Plus Debt Payments in HalfMarch 2022

    Parents are one of the fastest segments of student loan borrowers, and it's hurting their retirement. This piece explains the double consolidation process to qualify for income-driven repayment plans.

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  • Parents Can Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness, Too. Here's HowFebruary 2022

    Most people can't qualify, but if you work in the right kind of public service job, you might be able to get your parent PLUS loans forgiven. Read on.

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  • 6 Tools that Give the Best Estimates for How Much College Will Really Cost Your FamilyDecember 2021

    Every year, a new crop of parents joins the college search rat race with their student and is shocked that finding out how much college costs is so complicated — nothing like their own college days. But it is possible to do some research and figure out a ballpark. Here's how.

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  • Free FAFSA Help: Here's Where to Get Help from College Aid ExpertsOctober 2021

    Every year, community forums on Facebook and Reddit are flooded with exasperated parents wondering how to answer questions on the FAFSA. Some are fairly straightforward;others are trickier. Here's what to know about finding free help.

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  • How to Apply for the FAFSASeptember 2021

    Every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a.k.a the FAFSA, opens on Oct. 1 for students going to college the following year. For many families, the FAFSA inspires dread — and worry about making mistakes. Here's what to know.

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  • At Some Colleges, Students Who Get Covid-19 Have to Foot the Bill for IsolationSeptember 2021

    What happens if you catch COVID-19 on a college campus this year? You could be in for a chaotic isolation period, marked by rushed travel home or an unplanned bill for a stay in a nearby hotel.

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  • 10 Tips to Help You Pay for College This FallAugust 2021

    Paying for college is tough, and many people cover costs with hefty loans. But you might not have to borrow as much as you think if you strategize some other payment methods. Here's how you might be able to cover part of the bill without loans.

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  • With College Waitlists Overcrowded, What to Know About Accepting Your Spot at SchoolApril 2021

    This year is kind of wild with overcrowded waitlists because colleges don't know how many students will claim their acceptance. Here's what to know about getting in and what to do if you hope to accept a spot from the waitlist.

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  • Dorm vs. Off-Campus Apartment: How to Estimate What College Housing Really CostsMarch 2021

    What, precisely, will campus living look like in fall 2021 after being upended throughout 2020? Will residence halls continue to operate at reduced capacity? Some students are eager to get back on campus, while others will stick to the apartment living they handled this year.

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  • Here's How Much of Your Income Should Go Towards Student Loans Each MonthFebruary 2021

    As tempting as it is to throw money at your student loans, financial planners say that's not the best idea. Here's how to divvy up your monthly paycheck, and what to know about avoiding too much debt for your income.

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  • More Than 3 Million College Students Who Can't Afford Food May Be Eligible for Expanded SNAP BenefitsFebruary 2021

    Congress passed a SNAP benefits expansion in response to the pandemic that took effect in January 2021. More college students may be eligible according to new criteria. Here's what to know and other ways colleges are helping hungry students.

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  • Colleges Are Lowering Tuition Prices. But Most Students Won't Save a PennyDecember 2020

    Tuition resets help some families. But many students who receive financial aid and scholarships to make college affordable won't actually see their bottom line change. Here's why.

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  • 6 Expert Tips for Applying to College During the PandemicNovember 2020

    Use these tips to guide your college application process during this unprecedented year. What to know about testing, essays, virtual resources, and more.

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  • How Will Students Get College Scholarships if They Can't Take the SAT?October 2020

    SAT and ACT testing for college admissions have been canceled over and over again during the pandemic. It's creating worry about admissions and scholarships. Though many colleges have responded by going test optional, the devil is in the details. Here's what to know.

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  • Parents: Make Sure These Health Forms are Sorted Out Before Your Kid Goes to CollegeAugust 2020

    Every year, parent questions crop up about health forms for new college students, including HIPAA authorization and medical power of attorney. Here's how to help your kid in an emergency health situation.

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  • Colleges are Freezing Tuition and Fees as Classes Move Online. Here's How Much That Actually Saves StudentsAugust 2020

    As campus reopening plans shift by the day and the number of Americans out of work remains at record levels, colleges are navigating demands from students across the nation to reduce the cost of attendance, particularly for online courses. Here's what they're doing.

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  • Tuition Insurance and Coronavirus: What to Know Before You Buy it for Your College Student's Fall SemesterJuly 2020

    It’s no surprise that some families are wondering whether they should buy tuition insurance to safeguard tuition payments with the pandemic throwing campus plans into question. But it's not that simple. Read on.

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  • A Six-Step Guide to Asking Your College for More Financial Aid This YearMay 2020

    For millions of students with parents suddenly out of work, paying for college just got a whole lot harder during the pandemic. Luckily you can ask for your financial aid form to be reviewed.

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  • Coronavirus is Upending Internships for College Students. Here's What to Do If Yours Was CanceledApril 2020

    With internship season looming, the coronavirus has thrown student plans for the summer into disarray. Internship opportunities have dropped 52%, according to recent Glassdoor research. Here's what you can do.

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  • What to Know Before You Take a Gap Year from College During CoronavirusApril 2020

    The novel coronavirus is throwing a wrench into a normal college opening this fall. What to know if you think you'd rather put off college for a year.

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  • Here's How How College Admissions are Changing This Year -- And What High School Seniors Need to KnowApril 2020

    With hundreds of college campuses closed by the pandemic, high school seniors and their families are wondering how they’re supposed to make a decision about where to attend if they can’t visit in person. What to know about the decision process.

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  • More Parents Are Borrowing to Pay for Their Kids' College. Here's How to Do It Without Risking Your Own FutureApril 2020

    The fastest-growing segment of education borrowers, people over 60 are increasingly taking loans for children and grandchildren’s educations. Today, 3.6 million parents owe a collective $95 billion.

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