Understanding Your College Tuition Bill If you’re a soon-to-be senior heading to college next fall, you probably have questions about how tuition bills work. When’s your first payment due? Can you pay in installments? Is tuition billed per semester or yearly? For many students, this is their first time handling a major financial responsibility, which … Read more
Table of Contents If you’re a high school student gearing up for college or a parent helping your child through it, knowing the full financial picture is a must. Sure, tuition, room and board, and application fees are the big-ticket items everyone talks about—but there are plenty of other expenses that can sneak up on … Read more
Contents Applying for scholarships might seem overwhelming, but it’s totally worth the effort. Every year, tons of scholarships go unclaimed—simply because students don’t apply for them. So, how do you track down private scholarships? And what can you do to boost your chances of winning them? Today, I’m breaking it all down to make the … Read more
Contents There are plenty of scholarships out there for college applicants. You’d think they’d help ease the financial burden, but here’s the catch: all that effort you put into finding and applying for outside scholarships might not pay off if your college practices something called “scholarship displacement.” It’s important to understand why scholarship displacement happens, … Read more
Contents College can be pricey, but if you’re eligible for the GI Bill, there’s some great news—the government might help cover your (or your child’s) education costs. GI Bill Options for Dependents The GI Bill program provides education benefits to dependents of active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, and those who died while serving. While the … Read more
Scholarships for Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Their Siblings Dealing with cancer is tough, but there are scholarships out there to help students who have faced this challenge—whether they’re patients, survivors, or siblings of those affected. These scholarships provide financial support so that education remains within reach. Here’s a list of programs that offer help: Some … Read more
Contents Paying for college with scholarships is a smart move—but a lot of students aren’t entirely sure how they work. How is scholarship money given out? What can you use it for? Where do you even find scholarships? If these questions sound familiar, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Find free money for college Our scholarship … Read more
Contents Many students rely on loans to fund their education. While loans open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be unattainable, they also bring long-term financial obligations that can stretch for years—or even decades. With so much on the line, it’s crucial to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks before borrowing. In this article, we’ll … Read more
Numerous lenders offer private student loans—banks, credit unions, and other lenders among them. But with so many choices, how do you choose? For most borrowers, the determining factors boil down to cost and repayment flexibility. Students must always consider federal loans first because they’re less expensive, more available, and offer more favorable repayment terms than private loans. Federal Parent PLUS loans and private student loans are utilized primarily as additional financing for students who attend more-expensive schools. All that being said, reaching the Federal Stafford loan caps could mean that you’re taking on too much. If your overall debt at graduation is more than your income, you’ll struggle to pay back your loans, and you may need you to have backup plans such as extended or income-driven repayment. … Read more
Student loans are among the largest debts individuals incur—after only mortgages on their homes. Due to their size, even tiny missteps can have dire financial consequences. Alas, numerous students and parents make mistakes when handling student loans, and those errors cost them thousands of extra dollars and years of aggravation. To assist you in avoiding these issues, here are the top student loan errors—and how to avoid them. 1. Borrowing More Than You Need Just because you qualify for a large loan from a lender doesn’t mean you have to borrow it all. Too many students view their financial aid “refund” as money they don’t have to pay back, but it’s not—it’s borrowed money that you’ll have to repay with interest. For each $1 … Read more