As we inch closer to this season’s tax deadline those who have yet to file are pretty much in a panic. College students probably make up the majority of those in a panic, especially with all the confusing tax deductions. Figuring out what is tax deductible and what is not can be difficult, especially if you’re still new to the process.

With all the negative talk about budgets cuts for education and financial aid, it’s nice to hear about some positive legislature gaining movement for education. The odd part? It’s in Utah.

One of the biggest concerns everyone experiences about going to college is how they will pay for it. Financial aid can be a tough thing to come by especially if you dread filing hundreds of forms only to receive a measly $100 scholarship. But $100 is $100 less than what you had right? So what is the harm in at least trying, trying doesn’t hurt anyone.

To give the percentage of students in Philadelphia who attend college a boost, Mayor Nutter, [insert juvenile but totally necessitated giggle here] that is, Mayor Michael Nutter has pushed for his younger constituents to have more access to financial aid.

I have an idea: let’s celebrate a few of the biggest holidays of the entire year all in one month! Only let’s do it near final exams, and let’s make it so everyone has to buy everyone something. Sound good? If you’re a student you’re answer should roughly be “HELL NO.” I wish there was someone to hold responsible for such truly horrible planning, but I can’t even blame the greeting card industry on this one.

If you’re anything like myself, your college is doing everything they can to drive you crazy, or at least you think they are. Tuition increases, fees and financial aid availability is harder to grasp than studying for a medical terminology final. Now one study is finding that higher college costs are accompanied by less need-based financial aid.

Tuition increases have become a trend among higher education institutes. Now, researchers are finding that students are borrowing more money than ever to cover those costs. The Pew Research Center’s Social and Demographic Trends project found that between 1996 and 2008 the amount of students borrowing rose 8%.

People are awarded scholarships for the craziest things. In honor of all that is strange, here are the top 5 most random scholarships I could find:

Remember the “paint by numbers” kits from elementary art classes? Trekking through financial aid and tuition costs in college is similar to those kits, except most of the time you’re seeing red and it’s usually in your bank account. Soon-to-be college students and parents will be happy to hear that although expenses are higher financial aid availability is also on the rise according to College Board’s yearly report on trends in tuition and financial aid.

Have you ever tried to buy a textbook? Professors may give you the course textbook requirements early, while some will wait until a week after class has begun. If you’re lucky enough to have the list in advance, you can try buying used textbooks. However, a used textbook at a campus bookstore is about as rare as an ice cube in the Sahara.