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College Scorecard: Find the right higher ed fit for you

The Department of Education’s College Scorecard website https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ is designed to help you find the best higher education institution for your needs. You can ask to “Show me Options” to search nearby schools, institutions where most students graduate, and other options. Search “Fields of Study” to find the best institution for your career goals. Already…

Financial Literacy and Career Resources for College Students and Grads

 Have questions about borrowing, student loans, car loans, savings, setting goals? Need help with your resume and job search? https://www.igrad.com has videos, info, worksheets and more on its comprehensive website. With additional topics like long term care insurance, the site isn’t just for young folks. Source: Financial Planning for Women

Evaluating College Aid Offers and Asking for More Financial Aid

 We live in an upside down world due to Coronavirus. Many families have experienced major disruptions to their financial circumstances. Ann Carrns, financial and college expert writing for The New York Times reports on last minute strategies to try to garner more financial aid if you family has suffered a major income loss. Keep in…

How Home Equity Affects College Aid

 Now that you’ve filled out the FAFSA (free application for federal financial aid) it’s time to tackle the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) for non-federal financial aid.  Be ready to provide your home’s purchase price, year of purchase, current value (check your property tax bill) and current debt to determine your home equity.  Schools…

Your financial path to college graduation

 The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers lots of help for college students. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/ Check out:  “Your financial path to graduation” https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/your-financial-path-to-graduation/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gradpath&houx=826&fdx=340&clhx=87&trnx=324&hltx=121&entx=94&retx=22&taxx=-6&othx=385 This tool can help you: Understand your financial aid offer Plan to cover the remaining costs Estimate how much you’ll owe and if you can afford that debt Compare offers from different schools…

How much of your college scholarship is taxable?

Wait! What? My scholarship money is taxable?Many students have no idea that their scholarships might be taxable.Due to the coronavirus the income tax deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020.Payments and interest on federal student loans for 6 months of relief…. So, about those scholarships and possible taxation.Any aid used for living, travel and…

Who should own 529 Educational Savings Account?

When considering a college student’s eligibility for financial aid, who owns their 529 account makes a difference. Sarah Mouser, writing for Advisor Perspectives explains. “Parent-owned 529 plans are treated differently than grandparent-owned 529 plans when applying for financial aid and completing the free application for student aid (FAFSA).” “When a 529 plan is owned by…

Is your college student using federal student loans to finance spring break?

The Squared Away Blog reports: New Use for College Loans: Spring Break! “Yup, more than half of college students are using some of their student loan money to pay for spring break.” See: http://squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/new-use-for-college-loans-spring-break/Even if college students are paying their own way (with earned income) for fancy week-long get-aways… should they be using funds in…

Don’t be put off by high sticker price of private colleges

“Phillip Levine is breaking down a barrier: the well-founded fear among low-income and even middle-class families that an elite liberal arts college is out of the question.” Levine, a professor at Welleseley College, “designed a calculator to estimate how much an individual applicant will actually pay, after plugging in his or her family’s unique financial…