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Mark Kantrowitz

Mark Kantrowitz is an expert on student financial aid, scholarships, 529 plans, and student loans. He has been quoted in more than 10,000 newspaper and magazine articles about college admissions and financial aid. Mark has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reuters, USA Today, MarketWatch, Money Magazine, Forbes, Newsweek, and Time. You can find his work on Student Aid Policy here.

Mark is the author of five bestselling books about scholarships and financial aid and holds seven patents. Mark serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Student Financial Aid, the editorial advisory board of Bottom Line/Personal, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Center for Excellence in Education. He previously served as a member of the board of directors of the National Scholarship Providers Association. Mark has two Bachelor's degrees in mathematics and philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master's degree in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

Mark’s latest articles

get help defrauded by your college
June 17, 2026

Borrower Defense Program: How Defrauded Students Can Apply for Federal Loan Forgiveness in 2026

Borrowers who were defrauded by their colleges can get their federal student loans canceled and payments refunded through the borrower defense program.

Empty Lecture hall with colorful chairs in a university, reflecting the drop in enrollment due to AI. Source: The College Investor
June 9, 2026

Stanford Study: Entry-Level Software Jobs Down Nearly 20% as AI Reshapes Hiring for College Grads

A Stanford study finds entry-level software jobs fell nearly 20% since 2022. See which college grad careers AI threatens most — and which are safest.

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Set To Rise This Fall
May 12, 2026

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates For 2026-2027

Interest rates on new Federal student loans are set to rise slightly for the 2026 – 2027 school year.

Harvard University | Source: The College Investor
May 1, 2026

Which Colleges Offer Free Tuition? Full List Of Schools

Tuition-free college is a strong draw for students, but there are many caveats that may cause them to fall short for low-income students.

college admissions secrets
March 30, 2026

How To Build a Stronger College Application This Summer, According To The Data

Speak-writing essays, comparing exam score ranges, and using the college affordability index will improve your child’s chances of getting into an ideal college.

Prepaid Tuition vs. 529 Plans
March 25, 2026

Prepaid Tuition Plan vs. 529 Plan: Which Is Best?

Prepaid tuition plans are benefit plans, while 529 plans act like contribution plans. Find out which one might be best for your needs.

EVANSTON, IL,USA - JUNE 20, 2021 - Entrance sign and gardens to Northwestern University.
March 4, 2026

Are Expensive Colleges Worth It? New Data on Price, Selectivity, and Graduation Rates

Do more expensive colleges lead to better outcomes? New data shows how tuition, selectivity, and graduation rates are actually connected.

Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks at a rally about "America's industrial resurgence," as he is flanked by Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler, far left, and his wife, Usha Vance, Friday, March 14, 2025, at Vantage Plastics in Bay City, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
February 26, 2026

Can The Government Sell Its $1.6 Trillion Student Loan Portfolio?

President Trump is looking to privatize student loans again. Here’s what can happen, what it means for borrowers, and why it’s even an issue.

frontloading financial aid
February 19, 2026

Front-Loading Financial Aid: Watch Out For This Sneaky Trick

More than 80% of US colleges practice front-loading of financial aid and grants. Find out how this bait-and-switch technique is driving up the cost of college for families.

Profile views of a young woman and a young man facing each other, set against a grey background adorned with hand-drawn lightbulbs. A single bright yellow lightbulb glows centrally between them, symbolizing the realization or "bright idea" regarding the shifting gender dynamics in higher education. This visual metaphor accompanies an analysis of the growing gender gap in college degree attainment, where women now outpace men in earning Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. Source: The College Investor
February 18, 2026

Gender Gap in College Degrees: 50 Years of Data Explained

Women now earn the majority of college degrees at every level. Explore 50 years of data on the shifting gender gap in higher education.

Using a 529 Plan For yourself
February 14, 2026

How Does A 529 Plan Affect Your Financial Aid And FAFSA?

How does a 529 plan affect your financial aid and how to report a 529 plan on your FAFSA.

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Expertise

  • Financial Aid
  • Student Loans
  • Scholarships
  • 529 Plans
  • FAFSA

Education

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Philosophy
  • Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Science in Computer Science

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