Debt Relief Scams 101: How Student Borrowers Can Outsmart Fake Offers

Wooden blocks with words 'Student Loan Scams'.

Earning a college degree is a smart investment but managing loan repayment after graduation requires careful attention. With so many legitimate refinancing and repayment options, it’s easy to get confused, and scammers take advantage of that. The good news is that spotting fake ‘debt relief’ or ‘forgiveness’ offers is easier than you might think. Knowing what to look for can …

4 Myths About Private Student Loan Cosigners

Student loans with cosigner application form and pen.

Many students pay for college by using a mix of savings, scholarships, and loans. With private student loans, borrowers may need a cosigner, someone who can help them qualify and possibly get better loan terms. Rather than being risky, cosigning can be a smart way to support a student’s goals and help them start building credit. What a Cosigner Really …

SAVE Plan Ends: 8 Key Steps for Borrowers

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If you’re one of the 7.7 million on the SAVE plan, you should be aware that it’s ending. Recent changes from the new bill may feel discouraging, but taking steps now helps protect your credit, finances, and emotional well-being. Before diving into the action steps, let’s clarify what the SAVE Plan actually is. The SAVE Plan (Saving on a Valuable …

Big News for Borrowers: FAFSA Opens Early for 2026-27

College-bound Student

The U.S. Department of Education has made a major move to help college-bound students and their families: the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open earlier this year, starting with a beta test for select users and a phased rollout for everyone. This means you might be able to get a head start on securing crucial college …

How the “Big Beautiful Bill” Will Affect Your Student Loans

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Change is coming to federal student loans, and whether you’re a current borrower, planning for college, or helping your kids pay for school, the “Big Beautiful Bill” is about to reshape the rules. Here’s what’s changing, what isn’t, and how you can plan ahead to protect your financial future. 🚦 Big Dates to Remember July 2026: New rules for borrowing …

The Ripple Effect: Understanding How Student Loans Impact Your Student’s Credit Score

For many students, pursuing higher education is a worthwhile investment in their future. However, this pursuit often comes with the financial burden of student loans. Beyond the immediate challenges of repayment, it’s crucial for parents and students to understand how these loans can have a lasting impact on students’ credit scores. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the intricacies …

Student Loans Can Help Build Strong Credit Scores

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College students and graduates can use student loans to build a great credit score. These three steps will help you understand the credit scoring process and how student loans can help young consumers build a high credit score and open opportunities for future borrowing. Step 1: Understand the players and how credit scores are calculated Equifax, Experien, and TransUnion are …

Federal Student Loans – What You Need to Know

Interest rates have increased noticeably over the past year, which means that Federal student loan interest rates will climb as well. When? By how much? Will the rate on this loan increase more in the future? Is there a better option for undergraduate students to borrow for college? These are all questions into which potential college students and their families …

Left on the Table: The Saga of Unclaimed Pell Grant and Scholarship Money

Consider the tried-and-true axiom for the lottery: “You need to be in it to win it”. Well, when it comes to applying for federal financial aid, nearly two million high school students annually are deciding not to play the game whatsoever, a decision that is costing almost half of them the chance for some much-needed assistance in the form of …

Help Me Understand Financial Aid

Paying for college can be overwhelming. Knowing the options and identifying sources of money for your family to pay the college bill is half the battle and there’s no time like the new year to get a handle on the details, especially with financial aid season on the horizon. For most families, the options to pay for college boil down …