Mark Kantrowitz
Expertise
- Financial Aid
- 529 Plans
- Student Loans
- Scholarships
Education
- MS Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University
- BS Mathematics, MIT
- BS Philosophy, MIT
Affiliations
Awards, Licenses, and Certifications
Publications
Other Publications
- The Student Loan Repayment Pause Is Almost Over. Here’s How to Prepare (The Wall Street Journal)
- Could The Federal Government Re-Privatize Student Loans? (The College Investor)
- How to Get Student Loans For College (USA Today)
- Game Over for Student-Loan Forgiveness (Barron's)
- What's Next for Student Loan Forgiveness (Forbes)
Mark Kantrowitz helps students and their families make smarter, more informed decisions about planning and paying for college. Mark has written five bestselling books about scholarships and financial aid and has also written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, CNET, and Forbes. He has been quoted in more than 10,000 newspaper and magazine articles about college admissions and financial aid.
He also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Student Financial Aid and the board of trustees of the Center for Excellence in Education. Mark has testified about student aid policy before Congress as well as federal and state agencies on several occasions.
Mark has two bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and philosophy from MIT and a master’s degree in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds eight patents.
Kantrowitz is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Media Mentions
- The New York Times interviews Mark on federal student loan interest rising.
- CNBC interviews Mark on what to know about student loan forgiveness.
- Yahoo!Finance interviews Mark on the future of student loan forgiveness.
- ABC News interviews Mark on student loan rates.
- MassMutual interviews Mark on how to get a scholarship.
- U.S. News & World Report cites Mark’s research on student loan debt in America.
- NPR interviews Mark on decoding financial aid letters.
Read Mark Kantrowitz's Latest Articles
The 25 Most Generous Universities for Financial Aid
College is increasingly expensive, but schools with the most generous financial aid meet 100% of financial need with no loans for all students.
July 9, 2025
Can You Get Financial Aid With a Felony?
Students with a felony can qualify for federal financial aid and other cost-saving opportunities in prison and after being released.
July 9, 2025
Scholarships for International Students
College can be expensive, but scholarships aren't limited to just U.S. citizens. Explore our guide on scholarships for international students.
July 9, 2025
Should I Claim My College Student as a Dependent?
How and when to claim your college student as a dependent is a decision many parents face during tax season. Read our guide to understand the benefits.
July 9, 2025
Military Dependent Scholarships and Grants
Are you a military spouse or dependent hoping to attend college? These military dependent scholarships can help you get the education you want — and deserve.
July 9, 2025
