Colleging Blog

The Ripple Effect: Understanding How Student Loans Impact Your Student’s Credit Score
The Ripple Effect: Understanding How Student Loans Impact Your Student’s Credit Score

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.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears of College Fit
Goldilocks and the Three Bears of College Fit

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 Student Aid Index: The New Way to Calculate College Aid
The Student Aid Index: The New Way to Calculate College Aid

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.

529 Plans: A Bad Name for a Great Way to Save for College … and More
529 Plans: A Bad Name for a Great Way to Save for College … and More

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.

Understanding and Appealing Financial Aid Award Letters
Understanding and Appealing Financial Aid Award Letters

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.

Left on the Table: The Saga of Unclaimed Pell Grant and Scholarship Money
Left on the Table: The Saga of Unclaimed Pell Grant and Scholarship Money

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.

Help Me Understand Financial Aid
Help Me Understand Financial Aid

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.

Saving for Higher Education is Better than Borrowing
Saving for Higher Education is Better than Borrowing

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.

4 Easy Ways to Boost Education Savings this Holiday Season
4 Easy Ways to Boost Education Savings this Holiday Season

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.

Debt Repayment Made Easy
Debt Repayment Made Easy

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.

Is a Credit Union or a Bank Right for You?
Is a Credit Union or a Bank Right for You?

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.

What You Need to Know About the Federal Loan Forgiveness Announcement
What You Need to Know About the Federal Loan Forgiveness Announcement

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.

Tips for Buying Your First Car
Tips for Buying Your First Car

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.

How to Successfully Work with Your Private Student Loan Company During Financial Difficulty
How to Successfully Work with Your Private Student Loan Company During Financial Difficulty

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.

Rates As Low As
Rates As Low As

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?

Is Community College Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis
Is Community College Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis

Nursing and mechanic programs yield healthy returns, whereas liberal arts programs do not.

Is Grad School Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis
Is Grad School Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis

The net financial value of most graduate degrees is modest to negative.

Is College Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis
Is College Worth It? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis

Some degrees are worth millions, while others have no net financial value. The biggest factor is your major.

3 Keys to College Success
3 Keys to College Success

I was asked what I wish I would have known before I came to college, and I can boil it down to three things:

College Majors and Return on Investment (ROI)
College Majors and Return on Investment (ROI)

Is college worth the cost? Students who realistically understand their future earnings potential can better answer this question and maximize their ROI.

Expenses in Thirds
Expenses in Thirds

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.

Three Do's and Don'ts of Scholarships
Three Do's and Don'ts of Scholarships

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 Basics: The Difference between Consolidation and Refinancing
Student Loan Basics: The Difference between Consolidation and Refinancing

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.

Federal Financial Aid Starts With FAFSA
Federal Financial Aid Starts With FAFSA

Each year on October 1, FAFSA becomes available for the next academic year. Here's what to know about the process.

Taking Advantage of the Key Benefits of 529 Plans
Taking Advantage of the Key Benefits of 529 Plans

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.

How Do I Save For Retirement And College?
How Do I Save For Retirement And 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.

Student Loan Basics: How to Pay off Your Loan Faster
Student Loan Basics: How to Pay off Your Loan Faster

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.

Preparing For The Real World: Jobs 101
Preparing For The Real World: Jobs 101

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.

Increasing ROI on Your College Investment
Increasing ROI on Your College Investment

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 Matter
College Majors Matter

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.

Help Me Understand Financial Aid
Help Me Understand Financial Aid

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.

What to Do with a Lousy Financial Aid Package
What to Do with a Lousy Financial Aid Package

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.

A Young Parent's Map to Successfully Plan to Pay for College
A Young Parent's Map to Successfully Plan to Pay for College

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.

Best Ways For Students To Begin Saving Early
Best Ways For Students To Begin Saving Early

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.

Key Criteria For College Choices
Key Criteria For College Choices

Considering factors such as affordability, outcomes and reputation can have a significant outcome in college ROI. Here's what to know.