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Understanding Federal Direct Loans for Undergraduates: A Complete Guide for Students and Families
Paying for college is one of the most significant financial challenges many families face and student loans are a reality for most.
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Essential Details about Student Loans That You May Not Have Read Before
The term “Student Loan” is shorthand for ANY loan for college. The reality: loans to pay for college are taken by: This is a not a trivial nuance. Understanding who is legally obligated to pay the loan is critical. It’s not complicated, but can be confusing:
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How to SUBSTANTIALLY Reduce the Cost of College Tomorrow by Saving a Little Bit Today
Some people say it’s not worth saving for college. After reading this article, you should agree that “Saving a Dollar Today is Better than Borrowing One Tomorrow”®.
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The No-Panic Five-Step Practical Guide to Paying the College Bill
Paying for college can be a daunting task. Before the bill arrives, the idea is theoretical. But when it hits your inbox, it’s all-too-real. And it must be paid. Don’t panic, do this:
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Federal Loan Interest Rates Are Lower – But Are They the Right Choice for You?
Good news: starting July 1st the interest rate for Federal Loans is lower than the borrowing rate for Academic Year 2025-26. This year, students will be charged 6.39% and parents will pay 8.94% for Federal Direct and Federal Direct Plus Loans respectively. The Origination Fees are unchanged for each: 1.057% for Direct Loans and 4.228%…
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What’s the Fuss about 529s?
Headlines abound about the value of college. So, what about saving for college? Why bother saving if there is question about the value of college to start? And what about the argument that saving for college will kill my kid’s chance of getting financial aid? First, that last argument is no argument at all. It…
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The Pros and Cons of a Gap Year
For current high school seniors, and juniors right behind them, the end of this school year brings the reality that immediately leaping into college may not be right for them. What if, instead of rushing into another four years of academics, they took a deep breath – and a year off? What if they took…
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Ask the Expert: Inside College Admissions with Sophie Smith
Planning and paying for college is truly a family affair. And it’s really interesting because the parents have financial and emotional skin in the game and the students are trying to actually for the first time break away and sort of leave the nest, if you will. So it’s a very emotional time. And it…
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Financial, Academic, Social Fit and Timeliness (FAST) = a Great College Fit
Choosing the right college is one of the most significant decisions in a student’s life. Most counselors and families immediately think of Academic and Social Fit. But the bookends to the FAST acronym are equally important: Financial Fit and Timeliness.