Blog and Student Resource Center - The College Monk - Page 2

A clear 2025 guide to certifications vs degrees: time to earn, total cost, accreditation, hiring value by field, ROI math, stackable paths, and a decision framework with examples.

Understand FERPA in 2025: who can see your college records, how to inspect and amend files, directory information and opt-outs, when schools can disclose without consent, parent/guardian access, and step-by-step request templates.

A simple 2025 playbook to build credit in college: how scores work, the safest starter accounts, a 90-day plan, paying habits that raise scores, rent/utility reporting, international student tips, and mistakes to avoid.

A step-by-step 2025 playbook for athletic scholarships: NCAA rules explained, eligibility, recruiting timelines, headcount vs equivalency sports, highlight film + coach outreach templates, campus visits, and funding tips.

A clear 2025 CLEP guide—how CLEP credit works, eligibility and registration, score/credit policies, best exams by major, a 4-week study plan, test-day tips, and pitfalls to avoid.

A practical 2025 college application timeline: month-by-month tasks, test and essay milestones, recommendation strategy, FAFSA/CSS Profile dates, scholarship tips, and submission checklists.

A step-by-step 2025 college budgeting guide: calculate true costs, map income and aid, cut expenses, automate savings, avoid fees, and use smart guardrails so you graduate with less debt.

Compare on-campus vs off-campus living in 2025—real costs, safety and support, community and convenience, leases and timing, how financial aid applies, and a quick decision framework.

A clear 2025 guide to the best college majors—what’s in demand, relative pay, core skills to build, internships, costs and ROI—with tables, checklists, and a practical framework to pick your fit.

A practical 2025 guide to GI Bill and veterans’ education benefits: who qualifies, how payments work, Yellow Ribbon, VR&E, DEA, transfer rules, step-by-step application, timelines, stacking scholarships, and common pitfalls.

Your go-to 2025 guide to STEM scholarships: where to find top awards, eligibility, documents to prep, application strategy, timelines, and how to avoid scams—plus quick internal resources to start applying today.

A clear 2025 comparison of online college vs traditional campus: cost, flexibility, learning quality, accreditation/credit transfer, tech and support, outcomes, and a decision framework to choose the right path.

A proven 2025 internship search guide: 10-week plan, where to find roles, ATS-ready resume and LinkedIn tips, networking scripts, cold emails, tracking system, interview prep, and pay/credit rules.

Proven 2025 college interview tips: what admission officers evaluate, a 7-day prep plan, answer frameworks with examples, questions to ask, virtual setup, in-person etiquette, and a post-interview follow-up template.

A practical 2025 guide to college recommendation letters: who to ask, when to ask, what colleges want, how to prep your brag sheet, and copy-and-paste templates for requests and letters.

FAFSA vs CSS Profile in 2025—who needs which form, what each collects, costs and fee waivers, deadlines, how they affect aid offers, and a simple decision flow to file on time.

A clear 2025 guide to 529 college savings: federal and state tax benefits, new rollover flexibility, common pitfalls, financial aid impact, and when a 529 plan is (and isn’t) worth it.

Compare trade school vs college in 2025: costs, time-to-degree, job demand, salaries, financial aid, and a simple ROI framework—plus a step-by-step guide to choose the best path for your goals.

A clear 2025 breakdown of Dual Enrollment vs AP: how credit transfers, true costs, GPA/rigor signals, scheduling tips, and a quick framework to choose the right path for your college list.

Find scholarships for single parents in 2025: eligibility, where to search, 40+ funding ideas, application templates, deadlines, and how to stack awards with childcare and other benefits.