April is Financial Literacy Month

POSTED ON: April 16, 2026
CATEGORY: News

🔒 Avoiding Scams: What Students & Families Need to Know

Scammers target students during scholarship season. If someone asks for money or bank details, it’s a red flag. Stay informed and protect yourself from common education-related scams with this article from the FTC.

Financial Literacy Tips

Tip #1: Loans vs. Grants vs. Scholarships

Before choosing how to pay for school, it helps to know the basics. Here’s a simple breakdown of loans, grants, and scholarships. 

Tip #2: Understand the Cost of College

Curious about the real cost of college? Tuition covers your classes, while Cost of Attendance (COA) includes everything it takes to be a student for a full year. Knowing your COA helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises. Bear in mind that COA represents the “sticker price” of the college, and many students ultimately pay less.

What Is "College"?

College is all post-secondary education including certificate programs, trade schools, community colleges and 4 year colleges and universities. Learn More