Editorial Policy

CollegiateD exists to give students accurate, practical answers. These are the standards every page meets.

Accuracy first

• Rules, deadlines, prices, fees and product features are checked against the official source, such as a government site, a university, or the company that makes the product, when the page is written and on its refresh schedule.
• Pages that depend on rules or dates that change show a Last checked date.
• When sources disagree, we explain how something works instead of quoting a figure we cannot confirm.
• We never invent statistics, quotes, experiences, testimonials, scholarships or opportunities.

Best-of lists and recommendations

• Each list states its criteria before the picks, such as price and student discount, free tier, platforms, privacy and ease of use.
• Every pick has a Best for and a Watch out for.
• Student prices are shown with the date checked, in the currencies most of our readers use.
• Where we tested something ourselves, we say so. Where we did not, we say that too.
• The number in a title is real: a list of twelve apps names twelve that meet the criteria.

Trends and reports

Reports use real data from government statistics, official program data, universities, research institutes and reputable surveys. Each report cites its sources and includes a short methodology note. We separate what is measured from opinion or prediction.

Academic integrity

CollegiateD helps students learn and do their own work. We explain how to study, research, write and cite. We do not promote services that write assignments for students to submit as their own.

Updates and corrections

Apps and prices are re-checked about every three months and evergreen guides at least yearly. The "Updated" date changes only when the content really changes. When we get something wrong, we fix it and follow our corrections policy.

Independence

Commissions and sponsorship never decide which options we recommend. See our disclosures for how CollegiateD makes money.