Mark Kantrowitz

Mark Kantrowitz, nationally recognized expert on saving for college and financial aid for more than 25 years. He is president of the consulting service Cerebly, Inc., and author of How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid. Kantrowitz.com

Grandparents! 529s Are No Longer Risky
Money Savers

Grandparents! 529s Are No Longer Risky

Mark Kantrowitz | April 23, 2023

Grandparents will find it easier to contribute to their grandchildrens’ college educations starting this fall. That’s when changes go into…

Finding College Scholarships in 2023
Money Savers

Finding College Scholarships in 2023

Mark Kantrowitz | January 25, 2023

A quarter million dollars for a high school student’s ­science project…$30,000 for ­doodling …$10,000 for making a prom dress out…

When the Bear Bites Your 529
Personal Finances

When the Bear Bites Your 529

Mark Kantrowitz | November 20, 2022

The bear market has been especially painful for parents of college students or children about to attend college. Their “529”…

The Financial Risk of Early Decision
Personal Finances

The Financial Risk of Early Decision

Mark Kantrowitz | May 8, 2022

Students who apply to a college for “early decision” and who are accepted commit to enrolling in that school. Problem:…

How To Make Sure Your Kids Graduate College
Family

How To Make Sure Your Kids Graduate College

Mark Kantrowitz | February 15, 2022

The cost of a college education can be staggeringly steep—and for many students, that investment will be wasted. Only 41%…

Your Unclaimed Assets Are Waiting for You
Personal Finances

Your Unclaimed Assets Are Waiting for You

Mark Kantrowitz | August 1, 2021

Tens of billions of dollars are just waiting to be claimed—and you could be the winner. That may sound like…

Best Ways to Help A Grandchild Pay for College
College Finance

Best Ways to Help A Grandchild Pay for College

Mark Kantrowitz | May 1, 2021

How you help a grandchild pay for college can have a big effect on financial aid…taxes…and estate planning. Here are four options.

How to Save Big on Refinancing Education Loans

How to Save Big on Refinancing Education Loans

Mark Kantrowitz | October 22, 2020

A sharp drop in interest rates means students and parents can save thousands of dollars by refinancing education loans while reducing monthly payments.

Student Loan “Relief” Is Often a Scam

Student Loan “Relief” Is Often a Scam

Mark Kantrowitz | September 9, 2019

Instead of getting you relief from your student loan debt, these scams could plunge you into default.

Savings for College Just Got Trickier Under the New Tax Law

Savings for College Just Got Trickier Under the New Tax Law

Mark Kantrowitz | June 4, 2018

The new tax law has made a big change in how you can use a 529 college saving plan, and it has made saving for college even more tricky.

10 Common Mistakes When Paying for College
College Finance

10 Common Mistakes When Paying for College

Mark Kantrowitz | August 11, 2017

Paying for college is complicated. The ways that colleges decide on aid packages can seem mysterious, and the number of…

Paying Off a Student Loan?

Paying Off a Student Loan?

Mark Kantrowitz | February 21, 2017

Avoid These Costly Mistakes The cost of college has skyrocketed in recent decades, and so has the burden of student…

How to Get Cash Back for College

How to Get Cash Back for College

Mark Kantrowitz | July 19, 2016

Paying for your purchases with credit cards could earn you money for a child’s college education. It even might help…

The Student-Loan Forgiveness Hoax

The Student-Loan Forgiveness Hoax

Mark Kantrowitz | February 3, 2016

The Internet is littered with ads promoting the Obama Administration’s Student-Loan Forgiveness Program. There have been TV ads about it,…

State College Tuition Soaring—What to Do
College Finance

State College Tuition Soaring—What to Do

Mark Kantrowitz | August 12, 2015

In-state tuition and fees have soared over the past 10 years at many state colleges, some of which charge more…