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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

Early Action vs Early Decision
August 6, 2025

Early Action vs. Early Decision: What You Need To Know

Early action vs. early decision, and regular decision: these are the three main options for college admissions. Here’s what you need to know.

This abstract graphic visually represents the concept of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and student loan repayment. A prominent orange semi-circle forms the base, with a dark hand holding a rectangular banknote featuring a white dollar sign icon, symbolizing financial transactions and loan payments. Surrounding these central elements are various geometric shapes, including a grid of black dots, individual yellow dots, thin black lines, a black-and-white striped triangle, and a white plus sign, all against a clean white background. The image reinforces the article's focus on federal student loan forgiveness programs and the mechanics of making qualified payments over 10 years for those in public service jobs.
August 2, 2025

What Is The PSLF Buyback Program?

The PSLF Buyback Program lets you make retroactive payments for certain months that do not otherwise count toward the 120-payment requirement for forgiveness.

An illustration depicting a graduation cap acting as a collection plate, filled with several folded dollar bills, symbolizing the various ways to pay for college without relying solely on student loans. The image also shows the lower legs and feet of a person wearing dark pants and black dress shoes with light brown laces, positioned as if stepping away from or towards the cap. The background is a textured grey, suggesting a neutral or contemplative setting. Below the cap, a red graduation tassel lies on the ground, and to the left, the logo "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" is visible, reinforcing the article's focus on financial strategies for higher education. This visual effectively introduces the article's core message about exploring alternatives to student loans for financing college education. Source: The College Investor
August 1, 2025

How To Make A College List: Finding Academic and Financial Fit

How to make a college list: find financial and academic fit when you apply to college and how to decide what schools to apply to.

President Donald Trump signs his tax and spending bill into law during a 4th of July celebration with military families on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC, on Friday July 4, 2025. The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' cuts government spending and taxes and adds work requirements to medicaid, passed through both chambers of Congress in party-line votes. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
July 8, 2025

Full Impact: Changes To College Financial Aid And Higher Ed

Here’s a full breakdown of all the key changes to college financial aid and higher education as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill.

Institutional Merit Grants
June 25, 2025

Who Gets Merit Based Scholarships At Private Colleges?

We analyze the data of which colleges award and which students receive institutional merit scholarships and financial aid.

The House Ways and Means Committee convenes for the markup of the reconciliation directive of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 in the Longworth House Office Building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)
May 25, 2025

House Reconciliation Bill Tax And Education Features

Breaking down the House Ways and Means Committee Budget Reconciliation Bill, as it relates to higher education, student loans, and education tax benefits.

This abstract graphic visually represents the concept of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and student loan repayment. A prominent orange semi-circle forms the base, with a dark hand holding a rectangular banknote featuring a white dollar sign icon, symbolizing financial transactions and loan payments. Surrounding these central elements are various geometric shapes, including a grid of black dots, individual yellow dots, thin black lines, a black-and-white striped triangle, and a white plus sign, all against a clean white background. The image reinforces the article's focus on federal student loan forgiveness programs and the mechanics of making qualified payments over 10 years for those in public service jobs.
May 19, 2025

Which Payments and Periods Count Towards PSLF and Buyback?

Breaking down what types of payments are eligible for PSLF and buyback, including which periods of deferment and forbearance, and what steps you need to take.

how to legally reduce your IDR payment Featured Image
May 12, 2025

How To Legally Reduce Your IDR Payment (And Avoid Fraud)

IDR plans can result in lower student loan payments, but there are ways to decrease the student loan payments even further. Learn more.

How To Move Out From Your Parents House
May 6, 2025

Why Parent PLUS Loans Are Ineligible For Income-Driven Repayment Plans

Parent PLUS Loans have historically been ineligible for income-driven repayment plans. Congress wants to change that, but can they?

Kroger grocery store exterior and logo. The Kroger Company is an American supermarket chain. — Photo by wolterke
April 24, 2025

Grocery Stores That Offer Student Scholarships

From Walmart to Coca-Cola, food brands and stores are giving away scholarships. Here’s where to find them and who qualifies.

A Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant in Jacksonville. Chick-fil-A, specializing in chicken sandwiches, has over 1,700 restaurants in 38 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. — Photo by ventanamedia
April 22, 2025

Restaurant Jobs With College Scholarships

Big restaurant chains like McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A offer scholarships and tuition help for employees and students.

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

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