Congratulations! You graduated! And now you are moving back home. The reason is probably financial. Tuition isn’t cheap and you may have tackled that bill on your own. Although some colleges and universities froze or lowered tuition during the pandemic, many cite lower enrollment numbers … [Read more...] about Help for college students who have moved back home (and their parents)
College
Good jobs that don’t require a college degree
There are a lot of ways to handle the high cost of a college education. Most experts agree that the cost will be made up over the life of a career by higher-paying jobs that require that college degree. But maybe you aren’t sure it’s worth it. Or maybe you just can’t afford college right now and … [Read more...] about Good jobs that don’t require a college degree
Money management strategies for new grads
Looking to impart some financial wisdom on the soon-to-be college grads in your life? We turned to Scott Gamm, author of More Money, Please: The Financial Secrets You Never Learned in School, to help you do just that. As someone who wrote a book on finances when he was in his twenties, … [Read more...] about Money management strategies for new grads
12 money tips for new college graduates
It’s college graduation time. That means those of us who have been around the block a few times can’t resist sharing some of our sage advice with the young people who are preparing to start their professional lives. While every decision you make when you’re 21 or 22 won’t irrevocably change the … [Read more...] about 12 money tips for new college graduates
How to navigate college financial aid offers
Congratulations to your son or daughter on his or her acceptance to college. Typically, chools let applicants know whether they have been accepted by April 1. Most times, they require your child to reply with an answer by May 1. Along with those acceptance letters come offers of financial aid, if … [Read more...] about How to navigate college financial aid offers
What to know about student loans before you borrow
Considering borrowing student loans for yours or your children’s education? Here’s the basic information you need to know: Federal Student Loans aren’t always superior. Long ago, private student loans were awarded in ridiculously high amounts and interest rates varied, meaning over a 10-year … [Read more...] about What to know about student loans before you borrow
College financial aid packages: What parents need to know
Depending on when your teen filed his or her college applications and FAFSA, college acceptance letters may start hitting your mailbox soon (if they haven't already). And usually right along with those come the follow-up letters that will likely have the biggest impact on the ultimate college … [Read more...] about College financial aid packages: What parents need to know
How to score little-known college scholarships
College tuition is outrageous and full scholarships are hard to come by. If a student isn't the valedictorian of a huge school, or a nationally ranked high school athlete, taking out massive loans may seem like the only option available to finance the soaring costs of higher education. But there are … [Read more...] about How to score little-known college scholarships
9 colleges that offer tuition discounts to siblings
When Delsia Fleming was looking at colleges for her twin daughters, Brittany and Brianna, the Burlington, N.J., mother learned that twins who attend the same school often receive college tuition discounts. It turns out this discount isn't limited to twins. A handful of colleges and universities … [Read more...] about 9 colleges that offer tuition discounts to siblings
5 little-known ways to apply to colleges for free
Five hundred dollars to apply to college? That's what my high school senior almost spent. No, she didn't fall for some Internet scam. Instead, at one point she had a list of 10 prospective colleges. With each school charging $50 or so to apply, we were likely going to spend as much on college … [Read more...] about 5 little-known ways to apply to colleges for free
7 ways to get free money for college
My niece, Kendalynne Hohe, a kindergarten teacher in Independence, Mo., is an expert at finding free money for college. She not only paid for four years of college using nothing but grants and scholarships, but also walked away with an extra $5,000 when she graduated with a degree in … [Read more...] about 7 ways to get free money for college
Free or cheap SAT and ACT test prep
College admission pressure is getting more intense, and both students and parents are feeling the heat. Many, seeing SAT or ACT scores as an area for improvement, are shelling out big bucks for prep courses. An SAT course can cost $1,000. An SAT tutor can cost (hold onto your hat) as much as $6,600. … [Read more...] about Free or cheap SAT and ACT test prep
Top 10 sites for college financial aid
If you have college-bound children, you probably spend a lot of your day worrying about how you could possibly afford to help them pay for their degree. We won't lie — it is a huge investment, considering student loan debt reached $1 trillion in this country last year. The good news is there any … [Read more...] about Top 10 sites for college financial aid
Virtual tours and other tools to check out colleges for free
This post is by Reyna Gobel of GraduationDebt.org. College visits are expensive. Flights, hotels and rental cars add up. It can cost more than $2,000 for a family to check out five schools for one child. Even local trips can easily cost $500 between gas, meals and hotels. While … [Read more...] about Virtual tours and other tools to check out colleges for free
10 things to know before you fill out the FAFSA
Filling out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the single most important thing you can do to pay for college. However, if you don’t list schools that will give you a good financial aid package, the FAFSA form won’t help you. (See our story about understanding financial … [Read more...] about 10 things to know before you fill out the FAFSA