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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

This image is a minimalist, two-toned graphic illustrating college cost estimates and financial planning. The left side, set against a light background, features outlined icons in black and green, including a pie chart with one slice highlighted in green, a magnifying glass, a graduation cap, and various geometric shapes like a plus sign, dots, and a triangle, all representing different aspects of college expenses. The right side is dominated by a large calculator with a dollar sign on its screen and two coins marked with "1" underneath it, all set against a solid green background. This visual effectively conveys the article's focus on calculating and understanding the true cost of attendance (COA), including direct and indirect costs like tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and transportation, and the importance of budgeting before borrowing for higher education.
November 15, 2025

How Accurate Are College Cost Estimates? Hint: Not Very

A new report uncovers why published college costs often fall short of reality, leaving students with financial gaps that exceed $10,000.

federal student loans for expats
October 25, 2025

Federal Student Loans For Expats: What To Know

There are a few obstacles and opportunities related to borrowing and repaying federal student loans for expats. Here’s what you need to know.

Dept of Education Lawsuit
October 20, 2025

U.S. Department of Education Settles Student Loan Forgiveness Lawsuit

Federal government settles with AFT, restarting IDR forgiveness, eliminating some IBR barriers and publishing monthly backlog reports. Learn what borrowers need to do.

Does The Government Profit Off Of Student Loans?
October 12, 2025

Does The Government Profit Off Of Student Loans?

Depending on who you ask, the government either earned a profit or lost money on federal student loans. Here’s how it works.

SAI Chart EFC Chart
September 25, 2025

2026 – 2027 Student Aid Index (SAI) Chart And Calculator

Here is the Student Aid Index SAI Chart and calculator that shows how much aid students can expect to receive by family income level.

Office worker overlaid with declining unemployment | Source: The College Investor
September 24, 2025

Unemployment Rates By Education Level

BLS data shows unemployment rates drop with higher education, with college grads facing less job loss than non-grads.

A close-up, slightly upward-angled shot of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) federal building's entrance in Washington D.C., USA, emphasizing its prominent stone facade and the bold, black carved letters spelling "INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE" above the doorway. The classic, ornate architectural details, including decorative dark rosettes flanking the text and intricately carved stone trim, are clearly visible. The image conveys a sense of official authority and directly relates to the article discussing the IRS's annual inflation adjustments for retirement accounts, specifically the raised 2026 contribution limits for 401(k) and IRA plans, as detailed in Notice 2025-67.
September 15, 2025

Tax Deductions For Tuition And Student Loans

The IRS tax code includes several tax deductions for tuition and student loans. Learn what these tax benefits are and how to maximize them.

Financial Aid if you drop out of college
September 2, 2025

What Happens With Financial Aid If You Dropout Of College?

If you drop a class or drop out of college you may have to repay all or part of your financial aid. How much depends on a number of factors.

Former President Joe Biden speaks during the National Bar Association's 100th Annual Awards Gala in Chicago, Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
August 27, 2025

How Much Student Loan Debt Is Actually Forgiven?

More student loans are forgiven than ever before, yet the total student debt burden continues to grow.

Fafsa
August 18, 2025

How To Hack The FAFSA And Maximize Financial Aid

Learn how the new FAFSA rules can impact your financial aid, and the key strategies you can use to maximize your financial aid options.

Pay for College With a 529
August 10, 2025

How To Pay For College With A 529 Plan [529 Plan Distributions]

Taking money out of a 529 plan is more complicated than putting money into a 529 plan. Here’s how to take money out without getting penalized.

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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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