Students heading off to college for the 2016-17 academic year should already have their financial aid package in place. But everyone needs to be aware that the FAFSA for the 2017-18 academic year will be available beginning October 1. This applies to current high school...
2016 will be remembered as the year of the “big change” in college financial aid. This is the first year of the “early FAFSA” - one that will be available beginning October 1 instead of January 1. It also introduces the concept of prior-prior-year (PPY),...
If your student is about to head off to college for the first time then it is time to sit down and talk about a budget. Those parents who have never discussed money with their child before should be prepared for looks of shock, and...
Saving money for college now is a sure way to reduce student loan debt in the future, but most families question “How much is enough?” It would be nice to be able to pay for all of your student’s expenses, but that is probably not...
Attending college can provide a tremendous boost to your child’s future earning potential, but how much should a family invest in the process in order to provide this benefit? There are many financial aid resources which can help cover the costs of a college education...
Paying for college usually involves a patchwork of money sources. You might receive funds from grants or college scholarships. The student might participate in a federal work-study program or work part-time in an off-campus job. The family might have a 529 Savings Plan, or relatives...
You hear so much about the negative side of debt that it could sometimes seem like the situation is hopeless. How can you expect to train your children in smart money management techniques when student loan debt is rampant, huge corporations file bankruptcy, and everyone...
One way to help pay for the costs associated with attending college is to have the student work. This could be during the summer vacation or study breaks during the year, or students might find a part-time job off-campus that wraps around their class schedule....
Recent college graduates certainly don’t want to think about repaying their student loans during summer months, but think about them they must. Most loans have a six month grace period before repayment begins, which may seem like a long time, but it can fly by...
It feels like student loans should be the last thing on your mind, but if you just graduated from college it’s time to start thinking about your student loan repayment options now. Don’t wait until the last minute to start finding out what your options...
