Financial aid should open doors, not close them. But for many first-generation families, aid letters, portals, and payment plans read like a foreign language. This post unpacks why the money conversation is so confusing, how that confusion erodes trust, and what colleges can do to make financial aid communication clear, consistent, and genuinely first-gen friendly.

Higher education has its own language, but for first-generation families, that language can sound like a locked door. From jargon and acronyms to deficit-based labels, colleges often communicate in ways that confuse the very students they hope to include. This piece unpacks how words quietly shape belonging — and how marketers and enrollment leaders can rewrite them to open more doors.

We say it all the time: “Parents are important,” but how often do our actions actually reflect that? Walk through specific, tangible strategies for making parents feel seen, heard and empowered to help their student say yes.

Students rule out colleges based on sticker price alone. Here’s how to make your Tuition & Fees page an affordability tool—not just a price

Financial aid emails should bring clarity, not confusion. Here’s where one missed the mark—and how colleges can do better.

Families often wait too long to discuss college costs. Here’s how admissions and financial aid offices can help parents start The Money Talk

Financial aid shouldn’t be a mystery. Here’s how colleges can design award letters like LEGO instructions—clear, visual and easy to follow.

A college degree is an investment, but its value is not always clear to students. How can colleges make its return on investment more tangib