Articles
Resources for Student Athletes
College Planning Resources for Student Athletes
Planning for college is a complex process, and that’s even more true when you’re hoping to be a college athlete. It’s a good idea to start the process as a high school freshman, meaning you’ll need to decide early on if this is truly the path you want to take and what you’re willing to do to achieve your dream.
By DANNIE PHAN
Turmoil Took Toll on 529 Accounts
Stock Market Turmoil Took Toll on 529 College Accounts
A study by Morningstar found that losses particularly affected families with younger children who opted for age-based investments heavily weighted in stocks.
By ANN CARRNS
Interest Rate on Federal College Loans Is About to Hit a Record Low
It will drop to 2.75 percent for new loans for undergraduates. That’s a “silver lining” of the current economic turmoil, an advocate said.
By ANN CARRNS
How to Ask for More Financial Aid
It’s an admissions season unlike any other, with uncertainty for students and their families — and the colleges that want to get them in the door.
By RON LIEBER
Grandparent Contributions
More grandparents are starting to give during their lifetime instead of waiting to pass down their assets, experts say.
A GROWING NUMBER OF grandparents aren't just interested in saving in their retirement, but are using their finances to support family members – which in some cases includes paying for a grandchild's college expenses.
529's vs Coverdell ESA
Which of the two popular college savings accounts is best for you?
When it comes to saving for college, Americans have many possible choices. You can invest money in a brokerage account, save money in a checking, savings, or CD account, or you could even plan to use some of your retirement savings. However, there are two main savings vehicles specifically intended for college savings: the 529 savings plan and the Coverdell Education Savings Account, or Coverdell ESA
Is That All?? Financial Aid
Parents across the country are taking a look at their child's financial aid award package and asking: "Is that all?"
by Katie Lobosco
Paying for college in the U.S. can be a confusing process. You don't know exactly how much it's going to cost until you receive the financial aid award letter from the school. Even then, you have to decipher a list of grants, scholarships, work-study awards, and loans in order to understand what you owe.
15 Facts about Financial Aid
15 facts about Financial Aid
If your child is heading to college soon, you’re probably wondering about financial aid eligibility. Each year, more than $120 billion in federal student aid is awarded to more than 15 million students who want help paying for college. Yet the financial aid system is so complicated that many families end up making costly mistakes on their applications.
Too Rich For Aid, Too Poor for College
IT STARTS WITH THE excitement of being accepted to college, and then the admissions packet arrives with the cost of attendance – which can be a hefty amount if the family doesn't qualify for financial aid.
Cost of college increased by more than 25% in the last 10 years
By Abigail Hess
In 2008 - 2009 school year those costs were $38,720 at private colleges and $16,460 at public colleges.
Today, those costs are closer to $48,510 and $21,370, respectively. That means costs increased by roughly 25.3% at private colleges and about 29.8% at public colleges.