The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key to unlocking financial aid for college, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans. To help you successfully complete your FAFSA, here are some essential tips to streamline the process and maximize your financial aid.
Regardless of your voting preference and political leaning, one has to admit that the 2024 U.S. Presidential election is one for the history books.
Paying for college can be a daunting task for any family or student, but with the right strategies, planning, and information, you can make it more manageable.
College can be expensive. Discovering ways to decrease the cost by finding free money could make the difference between graduating with mountains of debt or not. In this blog post, we will answer five key questions about grants and scholarships.
Choosing colleges and then deciding when to apply are at the heart of the college admissions process. Each type of deadline serves different student needs, may lead to binding decisions, and can significantly impact your student’s application strategy. In this blog post, we’ll break down the most common types of college admissions deadlines to help you and your student make informed decisions based upon their college acceptance goals.
Paying for college has always been a challenge, but this year may be the worst ever. To top off a miserably difficult financial aid season, interest rates on Federal Direct Loans for students and parents are set to increase significantly.
For many students, pursuing higher education is a worthwhile investment in their future. However, this pursuit often comes with the financial burden of student loans.
Don’t let your student overlook the one bear that can chase them for decades after they graduate. Financial fit has the capacity to make things just right!
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is about to fundamentally change how eligibility for college financial aid is calculated. Here’s what you need to know and a link to a free calculator to estimate eligibility for college aid using the new methodology.
In the 1990s, Congress started 529 college savings programs to help families create a nest egg for college. Although marketers would surely advise against naming a program after a section of the tax code, Section 529 in this case, “529s” grew into a preferred way of saving for college.
For gardeners, April showers bring May flowers. For high school seniors, the bloom may already be off the rose. The joy of getting college acceptance letters often quickly fades as the reality of comparing colleges and determining “the one” comes into focus.
Consider the tried-and-true axiom for the lottery: “You need to be in it to win it”. Well, when it comes to applying for federal financial aid, nearly two million high school students annually are deciding not to play the game whatsoever, a decision that is costing almost half of them the chance for some much-needed assistance in the form of free money.
Paying for college can be overwhelming. Knowing the options and identifying sources of money for your family to pay the college bill is half the battle and there’s no time like the new year to get a handle on the details, especially with financial aid season on the horizon.
There is no magic, one-size fits all way to pay for college. The trick is finding what works best for your family. Most families use a combination of savings, financial aid, and current income to pay the college bill.
It's never too early or too late to save for college and other education expenses using 529 savings programs. Here are four tips to add a little holiday cheer to your 529 savings accounts.
At Changed, we know firsthand what it feels like to be overwhelmed and overburdened with debt. All too often, borrowers feel helpless and fail to strategize their repayment plan. We empower borrowers just like you to take control of your debt repayment once and for all.
Unless you live off the grid, you need to pay people, save money, deposit your pay, and get loans. You may have had a joint account at a bank or credit union with your parents in your youth, but when you go to college, you need your own account to start to build your financial future.
On August 24, 2022, the Biden Administration announced an extension of the federal student loan payment and interest pause through December 31, 2022, as well as plans to cancel a portion of federal student loan debt.
Buying your first car is probably the first big financial transaction of your life. The first time driving YOUR car that YOU bought with YOUR hard-earned money is one of the best feelings ever.
Financial difficulties can appear out of nowhere and create a ton of stress for those trying to pay back their student loans. If you are struggling to make your student loan payments on time, there are options.
We all see them on billboards, online ads, emails, etc. They cause us to do a double-take and let's be honest, that's the objective. But who really gets these low, low rates?
Nursing and mechanic programs yield healthy returns, whereas liberal arts programs do not.
The net financial value of most graduate degrees is modest to negative.
Some degrees are worth millions, while others have no net financial value. The biggest factor is your major.
I was asked what I wish I would have known before I came to college, and I can boil it down to three things:
Is college worth the cost? Students who realistically understand their future earnings potential can better answer this question and maximize their ROI.
College is expensive. Don't try to pay for it all at once. Take advantage of all three time periods available: before, during, and after college.
Understanding how to find scholarships, what to avoid, and how they affect financial aid in advance will give you a leg up when it's time to start applying.
Student loan borrowers may "consolidate" their loan with the federal government or "refinance" the loan with a private lender. Here are the important differences of each.
Each year on October 1, FAFSA becomes available for the next academic year. Here's what to know about the process.
A 529 plan is a go-to option for college savings. Here are some key reasons why so many families choose the 529 as a savings vehicle for college.
Finding a balance between retirement and college savings represents a challenge most families need help managing. If you feel overwhelmed, you're not alone.
Picking a student loan that meets your needs requires an understanding of some basic concepts. Learn about loan amortization and paying off student loans fast.
It's now time to start searching for your first job and to lay the foundation for your career path. Here are some things to know.
Students and parents can take many concrete actions to increase the Return on Investment while the student is in-school and after graduation. Here's how.
College majors have a significant impact on the value of the investment being made in pursuit of a student's college dream. Here are some things to consider.
Paying for college can be overwhelming. Learn the basics of financial aid and identify resources you'll need to participate in the financial aid process.
The excitement of a college acceptance letter can be quickly replaced with anxiety if the financial award is a bust. Here are some tips to increase it.
Let's explore some basic concepts of financial literacy that may help manage future decisions about how to plan and pay for the dream college for your children.
The number one way for students to begin saving early for college is to follow Nike's advice: Just do it. Here are some smart ways to get started.
Considering factors such as affordability, outcomes and reputation can have a significant outcome in college ROI. Here's what to know.