According to the US Department of Education, the total amount owed in federal student loans was $1.37 trillion in 2017, and education costs continue to rise.1 Many people pursuing a college education may find themselves taking out student loans and may also wonder if they should refinance their student loans to save money on interest.
Parents and grandparents of high school students have a wistful feeling about the child they’ve watched grow up, as well as a concern for what lies in their future. It’s only natural to want to help that future scholar navigate the financial hurdles to a great education. That said, you have a few hurdles of your own. It would be good to know how to financially help the child in your life while avoiding any extra tax burdens.
Your child is getting ready to head to college. Between making sure they have their textbooks and everything needed to furnish their dorm, there are some legal documents that you should have in place. Many of these documents will be handy to have should a medical or other emergency occur and you need to make decisions on behalf of your college student.
As a parent, you know that time with your kids can go by in the blink of an eye. So whether you are preparing to send your child to kindergarten or are dealing with teenagers, it’s never too early (or too late) to start planning for their higher education. Not sure where to start? We’ve gathered some of the most common financial mistakes parents make when it comes to college planning.
Each year, around 86 percent of college students obtain some form of financial aid.1 In order to receive financial aid from the government, all students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA. The FAFSA determines the financial need of a student based on factors such as family income and the prior tax year’s income.
The first week of college is a time of excitement for recent high school graduates. They want to see and do everything without the ball and chain that is their parents. Doing everything is likely to cost money. So then, the first week of college is also about learning, learning how to budget. Making a good budget is one of the first discussions you should have with your college-bound high school student before they head off for school.
Outside of mortgages, student loan debt is the largest form of consumer debt - sitting at $1.4 trillion from borrowers across the United States. The average per borrower is $37,172, as of 2017.1 While the severity of the student loan debt crisis is undeniable, the real issue is - how did we get here in the first place?
Bringing a baby into the world can be exhilarating, and the anticipation of change can often be overwhelming for new parents. Suddenly, nine months feels like the blink of an eye when it comes to preparing for the expansion of your family. Not only will your life change overall, but the details of your finances and everyday nuances will suddenly become drastically different.
With student loan debt standing at $1.48 trillion, a majority of today’s millennials are faced with how to pay down their portion while growing their savings and building net worth.
