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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

How to win a full-ride scholarship to college
February 3, 2025

How to Actually Get A Full-Ride Scholarship

Full-ride scholarships are elusive, with few students winning each year. But there are steps you can take to improve your chances. Learn more.

Student Loan Forgiveness if your college lied for rankings
January 23, 2025

College Rankings Fraud and Loan Forgiveness: What to Know

With reports of colleges providing lying to boost their rankings, could graduates receive student loan forgiveness if they were deceived?

The Best Scholarships and Fellowships for Women
January 23, 2025

Best Fellowships And Scholarships For Women

Free money for college is huge. If you’re in search of the best scholarships and fellowships for women, read our extensive list.

An infographic titled "THE COLLEGE INVESTOR" illustrates the average student loan debt by state across the United States. The image features an outline map of the continental US in a light yellow outline on a white background. Stacked columns of gold coins, each with a dollar sign, are placed on various states, visually representing the varying average student loan debt balances. Some columns are taller than others, indicating higher debt in certain regions, aligning with the article's discussion of states like Washington D.C. and Maryland having the highest average student loan debt, and North Dakota the lowest. The visual helps convey the significant differences in debt loads from state to state, a key point within the article's "Student Loans By State Fast Facts" section.
January 17, 2025

Student Loan Debt Trends By Age And Borrower Type

Who owes the most student loans? See how debt varies by borrower age, loan size, and type of college attended.

How To Use A 529 Plan To Repay Student Loans
January 16, 2025

Can You Use A 529 Plan To Pay Student Loans?

You can use a 529 plan to pay student loans up to $10,000 – but there are some caveats you need to know.

Rollover 529 Plan to IRA
January 16, 2025

529 Plan To Roth IRA Rollover Rules: What To Know

Most Americans now have the ability for a 529 plan to Roth IRA rollover. Here’s what you need to know and mistakes to avoid.

SAVE repayment plan
January 15, 2025

Will The SAVE Plan Survive Legal Challenges?

Will the SAVE plan’s loan forgiveness survive these court battles? Our expert take on what you should know.

how much federal student loan servicers make
December 10, 2024

How Much Do Federal Student Loan Servicers Make Per Loan?

We break down how much federal student loan servicer like MOHELA and Aidvantage make per loan. Hint: much less than you think.

Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
December 5, 2024

New Student Loan Forgiveness Proposal For Financial Hardship

New student loan forgiveness proposal offers relief for borrowers in financial hardship with multiple ways to qualify.

This graphic visually represents the core concept of VA education benefits and military financial assistance for college. The image features a prominent stack of five books, with the top three in a warm orange hue and the bottom two in white, symbolizing the educational resources and learning involved. Above the books, a dark circular icon displays a white graduation cap, clearly indicating academic achievement and higher education. To the right of the book stack, another dark circular icon contains a white dollar sign, emphasizing the financial aspect of these benefits and scholarships. The background is a clean white, adorned with abstract geometric shapes in matching dark gray and orange tones, including plus signs, circles, and dotted rectangles, which add a modern, dynamic feel to the illustration, reinforcing the opportunities and funds available for servicemembers, spouses, children, and veterans seeking to take advantage of these vital programs. Source: The College Investor
November 26, 2024

Who’s To Blame For The Student Loan Crisis?

Who’s to blame for the student loan crisis? The Government? Colleges? Student Loan Servicers? Borrowers?

Student Loan Interest Rate
November 21, 2024

How Much Does Your Student Loan Interest Rate Matter?

How much does your student loan interest rate really matter when it comes to repaying your student loan debt? We break it down.

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Expertise

  • Financial Aid
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  • 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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