The College Investor Audio Show

Free community college is currently offered to some or all students in 33 states.With college costs and student debt on the rise, students and their parents need to think about ways to cut the overall cost of higher education. Even if a student wants to attend a four-year university, starting at a two-year university can conservatively lead to five-figure savings. Students who decide against earning a bachelor’s degree can gain a credential (associate’s degree) while spending less time and money than they would in a traditional public university.However, even some community colleges are now offering bachelor's degrees to compete against 4-year schools.Whether a student’s goal is to start a career as soon as possible or to earn a bachelor’s degree and beyond, using community college to save money and get ahead can be a smart move. In fact, attending a two-year college may be the most broadly-accessible method to reduce costs while still getting a head start on education.

Being a college student may require you to figure out ways to pay for school without taking on a huge amount of debt. Perhaps it means working part-time or longer hours in the summer. It may entail researching for scholarships and grants. Some students use the GI Bill to cover the costs after deployment.It's a challenge to cover your tuition and living expenses when you’re a college student on a budget. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average public university loan student borrowed $31,410 to complete their degree.Using federal loans to pay for a university education may seem like the only answer, but those loans usually have to be repaid. Plus, many people (including international students and people with DACA status) aren’t eligible to fill out the FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that needs to be filled out for you to receive financial aid from the government for college. But filling out the FAFSA for divorced parents isn't always straightforward. The FAFSA is set to launch on October 1, and this year marks the second year that parents and students will experience the simplified FAFSA.The simplified FAFSA cuts down on the number of questions asked, allows you to directly transfer information from your tax returns, and it uses a new “Student Aid Index” instead of the complex Expected Family Contribution.Divorced parents may see some big changes when they complete the next FAFSA. In this article, I'll explain what divorced parents need to know when it comes to completing the FAFSA.

A new Fidelity Investments study finds that economic conditions over the past several years are influencing how high school students plan for life after graduation and what they're willing to pay for college. More than half said living through recent financial instability has changed their view of higher education, prompting many to focus on affordability, career readiness, and long-term financial security.The survey, which polled more than 2,000 students and parents, shows a steady increase in the percentage of college-bound students prioritizing cost when choosing where or how to pursue higher education. In 2025, 47% listed cost as their most important factor, up from 40% in 2021. Among high school seniors, the figure rose to 54%.Career outcomes weigh heavily too. 65% of students want a job in a field they care about, 61% seek salaries that support long-term goals, and another 61% aim for stable careers. These numbers have climbed since 2021, when fewer than 55% rated these as top priorities.While most still plan on a traditional college route, interest in alternatives paths is growing. The share of students considering vocational or trade school as their primary option has tripled since 2021, from 2% to 6%, though still a clear minority.

The United States’ gross national debt has surpassed $37 trillion, marking an all-time high and raising concerns about the speed of borrowing and its economic consequences. The Treasury Department’s daily financial report released Tuesday recorded the total at $37,004,818,000,000. This milestone arrived years sooner than expected, with the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) pre-pandemic estimates projecting it wouldn’t occur until after fiscal year 2030.The rapid rise reflects massive borrowing over the past six years. Federal spending surged in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with emergency stimulus measures, unemployment expansions, and business aid programs passed under both the Trump and Biden administrations. The pace has remained brisk as new tax cuts and spending packages continue to push the debt higher.

A new rule from the Department of Education could reshape the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) by redefining which employers qualify.The new rule, published today in the Federal Register (PDF File), would allow the Secretary of Education to block PSLF eligibility for organizations determined to have a “substantial illegal purpose.” The definition covers a wide range of activities, from providing medical care to transgender minors to allegedly violating immigration laws or engaging in (or even prohibiting to stop) certain protests.The rule, slated to take effect July 1, 2026, would not strip existing PSLF participants of past qualifying payments. However, future payments would stop counting if an employer is disqualified under the new criteria.

The college admissions process is notoriously competitive. The last several decades might even indicate that getting into college has become harder, overall. College acceptance rates hover at a national average of 68%, though the rate at some of the nation’s top institutions is a shocking 3%.Let’s put that into perspective, though. Of course, acceptance rates drop when more students are applying, and colleges have largely seen nonstop growth since the mid-twentieth century. There are roughly two million more students enrolled in college today than in 2004 and just over seven million more enrolled today than in 1984. In only four decades, that’s nothing to sneeze at!And while colleges tend to emphasize the importance of an applicant’s academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal essay, there are more covert factors taken into account that are not discussed publicly. Read through these less obvious yet significant aspects that could play a role in your admissions decision.

The Department of Education’s ombudsman office, which handles disputes from student loan borrowers, is facing a backlog exceeding 27,000 cases, according to a recent data sent to Senator Elizabeth Warren (PDF File). The surge comes after the office lost nearly two-thirds of its staff in sweeping layoffs authorized by the Trump administration earlier this year.According to recent court documents (PDF File), the office had 63 employees at the start of the year but now has 25.As a result, number of unresolved complaints has risen sharply from about 16,000 in March to its current level of over 27,000, and the office continues to receive hundreds of new cases each week.In May, the most recent month with available figures, the office closed just over 1,100 complaints. At that rate, the backlog could continue to grow for months. Senator Warren has pressed Education Secretary Linda McMahon for details on how the department will address the bottleneck, along with other operational issues stemming from the layoffs.

In the three months ending June 30, 2025, 529 college savings and prepaid plans saw one of their strongest periods of growth in years. The latest data from ISS Market Intelligence shows 17.3 million accounts holding $568 billion in assets, up from 16.8 million accounts and $508 billion a year earlier. That’s a 7.9% increase in accounts and an 11.8% jump in total assets over the same period.What makes this surge noteworthy is that it occurred before the full impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The new law, signed in July 2025, significantly broadens what families can pay for with 529 funds. While historically focused on higher education, 529 plans will soon be able to cover certain workforce training programs, licensing exam fees, and professional credentialing costs. The law also increased what's allowed for elementary education as well.This expansion has the potential to accelerate account openings and contributions in the second half of the year and beyond, particularly among families who see 529s as a tax-advantaged way to invest in both traditional education and career-focused training.

The week began with anticipation for the August 4 court status report in the lawsuit over the SAVE repayment plan. Borrowers hoping for clarity instead saw a short update from the parties indicating that discussions continue, with no agreed-upon timeline for next steps.The SAVE plan, designed to lower monthly payments for millions of federal student loan borrowers, has been blocked by court order since 2024. Under the injunction, the Department of Education cannot resume payments under the plan, leaving roughly 7 to 8 million borrowers in administrative forbearance. Interest on these loans resumed August 1, but no payments are due.Congress officially ended SAVE as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, which also created a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) scheduled to begin July 1, 2026. Borrowers currently in SAVE are expected to move to an amended version of Income-Based Repayment (IBR) sometime between now and June 30, 2028, but the exact timing is still unknown.The next court update is scheduled for October 3. Until then, borrowers remain in a holding pattern, relying on estimated timelines rather than official announcements.

When families weigh their options for paying for college, the question “What’s the best student loan?” seems straightforward. But as we learned after asking five leading AI models (ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity, Copilot, and Google Gemini) the answers can be incomplete, sometimes unclear, and occasionally misleading.Each tool offered a broad framework: start with federal loans, then consider private loans if needed. Yet critical details were often missing.In some cases, explanations failed to note that Direct Subsidized Loans require demonstrated financial need. None clearly spelled out federal borrowing limits, an omission that could leave families unprepared if federal aid runs short. Or even specific scenarios or borrowing order (such as borrow the student's Direct Loan first, then supplement with Private or Parent PLUS Loans).Last year, we discovered that Google's AI was getting financial answers incorrect 43% of the time. When it comes to student loan recommendations, the results were better, but there were still key misses in an areas where policy change, interest rates vary, and borrower protections shift frequently.

Demonstrated interest refers to the ways a student indicates interest in a specific school. This includes visiting campuses, reaching out to admissions officers, participating in prospective student events, and even interacting with the school’s online resources.Let’s face it: the college admissions process is notoriously competitive. Over the past few decades, getting into college has become increasingly difficult, with the average acceptance rate hovering just under 70% across the US.Gone are the days when admissions officers only looked at a prospective student’s grades and test scores. Now, students face a whole list of factors that schools secretly look for.Demonstrated interest is on that list. 

Taking money out of a 529 plan is more complicated than putting money into a 529 plan.If you do it incorrectly, you may owe taxes and a 10% tax penalty, plus recapture of state income tax breaks attributable to the distribution.If you're getting reading to take 529 plan distributions to pay for college (or K-12 tuition, student loans, or even a Roth IRA rollover), here's what you need to know so you don't end up receiving a tax penalty.

As someone who spent her freshman year at the University of Alabama (UA), I know firsthand how costly simply attending two semesters of classes can be there. Add to that the experience of Greek life, and your social circle isn’t the only thing that suddenly expands.Sorority hashtags and content exploded on social media, as universities eased Covid-19 restrictions and let students resume fall recruitment activities. This was especially true for UA, which is often used as the benchmark for recruitment across the country due to its size and funding.Earlier this year, Max (formerly HBO Max) released a documentary that examines UA rush through a magnifying glass. Whether you’ve seen the documentary, enthusiastically followed the #BamaRush trend, or you’re simply curious about the price that’s paid for Greek life, this article is a good starting point for learning about the true costs of sorority recruitment.I’ll break down the rush process, point out its main financial factors, and weigh the pros and cons of taking on Greek life.

There are three main options for college admissions applications: early action, early decision, and regular decision. Early decision applications involve a commitment to enroll if admitted. In contrast, early action is non-binding.Students who are admitted early action are not required to accept the offer of admission. They may accept or reject the offer of admission at the same due date as the regular admission pool, typically by May 1. Students who apply for early decision are limited to applying to just one college. Students who apply for early action may be limited to applying to just one college, called single-choice early action or restrictive early action. In some cases, restrictive early action colleges will allow early action applicants to apply early action to public colleges but not other private non-profit colleges. Some colleges with non-restrictive early action say that they do not share information about their early action applicants with other colleges, allowing the student to apply early action to more than one college. Here's a full breakdown of early action vs. early decision vs. regular admission.

Economic uncertainty has been known to drive adults back to school to boost their educational credentials.Now, that the pandemic is over but there is still a lot of economic uncertainty, and student loans are restarting, more and more adults are wondering if it makes sense to go back to school.If you're considering going back to school as an adult to earn a higher education degree, you'll want to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Let’s explore whether or not going back to school as an adult may be worth it for your situation.

The PSLF Buyback Program allows you to "buy" missing payments that would have allowed you to qualify for loan forgiveness.To qualify for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness, you must have 120 months of qualifying payments made while employed in a qualifying public service job. Here's what you need to know.

When students prepare to apply for college admissions, they should start to make a list of colleges they want to apply to.When crafting a well-balanced college list, students should apply to a variety of colleges, considering financial fit in addition to academic fit. They should also include at least one financial aid safety school and pick three dream schools instead of just one.Here's how you should craft a college list, with a focus on both academic and financial fit.

Wondering which students and families actually get merit-based scholarships and grants at private colleges? We have the data.Parents of college-bound children who are considering high-cost private non-profit colleges often wonder how to qualify for institutional financial aid. These grants and scholarships may or may not really be based on merit, but rather function as a discount on the cost of attendance.Students who want to increase their chances of receiving an institutional merit grant at a private non-profit 4-year college should apply to moderately selective colleges (especially higher-cost colleges), have stellar grades and test scores, pick wealthy parents, do not take a gap year and enroll in college full-time.We look all the statistics of which students are getting institutional merit grants.

Student loan forgiveness applies to a variety of degrees, even trade schools. So even if you went to a trade school, vocational school, or apprenticeship program, you could be eligible to get your student loans forgiven. If you attended school for HVAC repair, cosmetology, the culinary arts, or any other trade program, your student loans could qualify for one of these student loan forgiveness programs.We cover the factors that make trade school student loans unique, and how you can figure out whether your trade school loans qualify for loan forgiveness.

Paying for college isn’t just about covering tuition. It’s about understanding what happens when life takes a turn and what protections exist if it does.Each year, families across the country commit thousands of dollars toward college without fully understanding the terms behind the payment. If a student gets sick or has to take a leave during the semester, even for a serious medical reason, many schools don’t refund tuition. Housing and fees can be nonrefundable. Grants may be forfeited. And student loans may still need to be repaid, even without a completed term to show for it.That’s why understanding school refund policies and looking into tuition insurance before the semester starts can help families avoid financial stress if a student’s college experience is interrupted. With tuition topping $25,000 a year at many public universities and twice that at private schools, a few hours of research can mean the difference between peace of mind and unexpected debt.We’re partnering with GradGuard to help you understand how tuition insurance can protect your investment. GradGuard is a leading tuition insurance source, with affordable coverage. Get a quote or learn more here >>

After years of payments, pauses, and paperwork, many public service workers are confused on what payments and time periods may count for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).However, there are also more options to have qualifying periods count - thanks to the PSLF buyback program.If you've been stuck in the SAVE forbearance, served in the military, or paused your payments for economic hardship, you might be closer to loan forgiveness than you think.But there’s a catch: the buyback program is only available to borrowers who are already near the finish line.It also raises a question: if you’re just a handful of months away from forgiveness and in forbearance, should you apply for buyback? Or wait and risk getting stuck? Or switch repayment plans and start making payments again?

College move-in day is filled with excitement, but new students often learn quickly that shared living spaces come with unexpected risks. And if you’re not careful, even small accidents can be expensive.From laptop spills to missing laundry, a range of common mishaps can cause financial stress. In partnership with GradGuard, we’re going to highlight the most common dorm disasters you can face. GradGuard Renters Insurance Plan can help you manage the financial aspect of these disasters and you can make sure that you’re protected financially if something happens. Get a quote here >>As you settle into dorm life, understanding these risks and how to manage them can prevent bigger problems later on.

Robert was on MoneyLife with Chuck Jaffe this week talking about the current status of student loans. Tune in to hear Robert's thoughts on what's going on with student loans today.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans provide affordable monthly student loan payments by basing the payments on a portion of the borrower’s discretionary income, as opposed to the amount they owe. Generally, IDR plans will yield lower student loan payments when the borrower’s total student loan debt exceeds their annual income. However, there are ways to decrease the student loan payments even further. Monthly student loan payments under IDR plans are based on a percentage of discretionary income. There are legitimate ways of reducing discretionary income and thereby reducing the student loan payment. Discretionary income is calculated by subtracting a multiple of the poverty line from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Discretionary income may be reduced by reducing AGI or by increasing the applicable poverty line.Of course, avoid fraudulent tactics like underreporting income or falsely inflating family size, as these carry severe penalties.

Many families assume that once a student accepts admission to a college, the financial aid offer is final. In most cases, that’s true. Schools often budget tightly and expect students to commit based on the information already provided. But there are exceptions.Appealing a financial aid award after committing to a school is uncommon, but not impossible. In some cases, families report success in securing more need-based or merit-based aid even after housing contracts are signed and roommates are assigned. Whether that happens depends on the institution’s policies, remaining funds, and the circumstances behind the request.

The latest reconciliation bill set for review in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce proposes some of the most extensive changes to higher education funding and student loans in decades. This is the papered proposal, it's NOT law yet.If enacted, the legislation would limit federal borrowing, end Parent PLUS loans, change repayment options, and reshape Pell Grant eligibility. The changes would primarily affect new borrowers taking out loans after July 1, 2026, but some changes take effect as so as the bill is signed into law.It's important to remember that this is the first work-up of proposals that are actually in print. Not all of these may make the final bill, and even then, they may change as well. That being said, many of these proposals mimic what was already proposed under the College Cost Reduction Act, and many are popular topics for Republicans. Let's break down some of the major proposals (though there are many others as well - the bill is 100+ pages long).

Student loan debt is not fun to have. While it may have been necessary to pay for school, now that you’re graduated, it’s time to think about ways to pay off your student loans faster.If you’re looking at your repayment plan options - even the shortest term is usually around 10 years. That can seem like forever!At the same time, looking at these long time frames could also motivate you to see what you can do to get out of student loan debt fast. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to get out of student loan debt fast - it just takes a solid repayment strategy and knowing your options.We’ve put together a list of ten of the best ways to help you formulate that plan. Remember - this is about paying your student loans faster. Getting aggressive with your student loan debt. These ideas might not work for everyone, or at least not today.It’s always important to assess your own situation, and then layer in these tactics as you’re able to.

With the stock market fluctuating and new tariffs raising concerns about family finances, some families are re-thinking the college decision (at least in the short term). While it might not be off the table, taking a gap year or deferring enrollment is an option for some. But what happens to financial aid if my child takes a gap year?While taking time off before starting college has its benefits, it can also come with consequences. Financial aid is not automatically frozen or held for a year. Depending on the type of aid and the policies of the college, a gap year can mean recalculations, new paperwork, and in some cases, lost money.Here’s what students and families need to understand about need-based aid, merit scholarships, and what happens if plans change.

For high school seniors navigating college admissions, few emails inspire more confusion than a notice of being "deferred" or "waitlisted." While neither outcome is final, each comes with distinct meaning, timeline, and next steps.Being deferred means your early application wasn’t denied, but it wasn’t accepted either. Instead, the admissions committee will evaluate your application again during the regular decision round, alongside new applicants. This delay gives the college time to compare you to the broader pool and assess updated academic records or accomplishments.Waitlisting, by contrast, happens after regular decisions are made. It means you met the qualifications for admission, but there wasn’t enough space to offer you a spot. You may be admitted later if enough admitted students decline their offers.

Have you heard the phrase "Sell In May And Go Away"?There are many weird stock market indicators that pundits try to use to explain what you should be doing in the stock market at any given time.There seems to be many ideas that people will suggest to determine your investing strategy including the January-effect, the presidential cycle, which team wins the Super Bowl, and how well stocks will fare.Over time, the of the stock market are hard to beat, and timing the market is not something that many people can do on a reliable basis.Based on this month, you may have encountered the "Sell in May and Go Away" philosophy. While it may sound kitschy or superstitious, does this theory actually have any legs? 

Today's episode is an interview Robert had with Jack Wang from the Smart College Buyer podcast. He talks about how to think about college costs, making smart student loan decisions, and how to have open and honest conversations with your family about money and education.We hope you enjoy the episode. If you want to learn more about the Smart College Buyer podcast, check it out on your favorite podcast platform.

There are multiple ways to invest in real estate. And believe it our not, 90% of the world's millionaires have created wealth through real estate. At least that's what Andrew Carnegie said at the turn of the century. Maybe you love investing, and at this point nearly all of your money is in the stock market. You know it’s important to diversify, but aren’t sure if real estate investing is right for you. You might think it requires a lot of money up front, or requires a lot of work ongoing.And while some of that is true, there are new options this year that can make real estate a potential investment for you.While real estate investing certainly isn’t for everyone, it can be very lucrative. Many people have made millions investing in real estate. If you’re wanting to expand your investment horizons, here are 5 different ways to invest in real estate.

There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to the best investment strategy. But it's one of the questions I receive almost everyday.From what do I invest in, to how to get started investing, to picking individual stocks, everyone is looking for a magic investment strategy that will make them millionaires overnight.The truth is that doesn't happen. You invest in stocks because over the long run, investing in the stock market has outperformed other investments. But that doesn't mean you should invest everything in stocks.Here's how to craft the best investment strategy and why you should always think about your portfolio and all your money as a whole. While we call this the investment strategy by age guide - your age is really subject to your investment time horizon. Check it out on the website.

With the stock market down almost 10% this year, more and more investors are looking for alternative investments outside of stocks and bonds.Diversifying an investment portfolio means not putting all your investment dollars into the same asset. Some people view a few dozen individual stocks as a diverse investment portfolio. Others want to buy broad-based index funds that represent entire stock markets. And others want bonds, stocks, and cash to keep their portfolio from having too much volatility.However, diversification can go beyond typical financial assets. Some investors may turn towards alternative investments to augment their portfolios.Although "alternative investments" are often described as a single group by financial advisors, this asset class represents a diverse array of investment opportunities. But which alternative investments are most popular? Keep reading to find out!

While a Roth IRA is one of the best ways to save for retirement, it can also be used to save for college.A Roth IRA is one of the best ways to invest for retirement, since the money inside it grows tax-free and in most cases, withdrawals for retirement come without any tax consequences. It can be an especially great way to save for retirement when you're young and your income is relatively low. If you're in a low tax bracket, getting a tax deduction (like for 401(k) or Traditional IRA contributions) won't benefit you nearly as much.But while the primary use of a Roth IRA is for retirement, there are a couple of other ways that you can withdraw money from your Roth IRA without paying a penalty.One of those is for qualified higher education expenses. That makes using a Roth IRA to save for college one option to consider.

Eligibility for need-based financial aid depends on the student’s demonstrated financial need. Structured settlements can change how a student's financial aid is evaluated. Financial need is the difference between the college’s annual Cost of Attendance (COA) and the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI).In some cases, a structured settlement can be used to shelter settlement money from student financial aid formulas. But ultimately the timing of the payments will determine how structured settlements impact financial aid applications. We break down the rules below to help you plan.

Financial aid can provide students with access to educational options they may not have otherwise had. But sometimes, students are denied additional financial aid, even after making an appeal.If you appealed for additional financial aid, but your appeal was denied, you still have a few options. In this article, we'll let you know what steps you can take to try and secure more financial aid. We'll also provide you with some alternative places to look for money. 

It's a common myth that student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. However, the U.S. Department of Education has the legal authority to allow a borrower’s federal student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy, in certain circumstances. It has not, however, generally exercised this authority.Instead, it often opposes undue hardship petitions. The general reasoning is that the availability of income-driven repayment plans provides sufficient financial relief for borrowers who face severe economic distress.But is this reasonable, or should the Department of Education allow more student loan discharges in bankruptcy? Below, we discuss what we think, as well as a new bipartisan bill that could significantly change how students loans are handled in bankruptcy courts.

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is arguably the best tax-advantaged account available in the United States. Contributions and qualified withdrawals are tax-free, which makes an HSA perhaps the only way you can earn, invest, and spend without paying taxes.While we don’t usually like to think about it, we’re all going to die someday. Money-savvy folks want to know what happens to their HSAs when they die. Here’s an in-depth look at what happens so you know how to include your HSA in your estate plan.

I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the best investors in modern time. These are all individuals who made significant amounts of money by sticking to solid investment philosophies.If you look at their strategies as well, they aren't very difficult or complex - they stick to basic financials of a company and look for value. If they believe there is value, they invest, and make tidy profits!Some of these names may be very familiar, but others you might not know about! There's no particular order, as all of these individuals have an interesting path to investing over the long run.

For families saving for education expenses, 529 plans remain one of the most flexible and long-lasting options available.Unlike other college savings accounts or financial aid programs, 529 plans do not have time or age limits for contributions or withdrawals. However, some states do have different rules that may impact your 529 plan contribution or withdrawal decisions. Remember, since 529 plans are state-based, each state can create their own rules, regardless of what the federal rules say.

If you're looking for passive income ideas, you may think the whole concept is a myth - there's no way that you can earn money by doing nothing. It's why passive income is highly sought after, yet often misunderstood.The truth is, passive income streams require an upfront investment and a lot of nurturing in the beginning. After some time and hard work these income streams start to build and are able to maintain themselves, bringing you consistent revenue without much effort on your part.Speaking from personal experience, adding passive income streams to your portfolio can help you increase your earnings and accelerate your financial goals in tremendous ways. For example, starting a savings account and earning interest, or investing in dividend paying stocks can all start adding income to your life without having to work! Your money is working for you!For example, you can use passive income streams to help you get out of debt or achieve financial independence sooner. Let's get to the passive income ideas!

A Multigenerational 529, also known as a Dynasty 529 Plan, is a way of using one or more 529 plans to leave a legacy of education for future generations. A Dynasty 529 Plan can be set up by parents, grandparents, or other relatives. With a Dynasty 529 Plan, high net-worth parents save more than is required for their children’s college education, meaning, they can continue to save in the plan even after their kids have graduated. A Dynasty 529 Plan benefits from years of tax-free growth before parents tap into it to pay for the costs of college. However, passing on a 529 plan to future generations may result in gift taxes and generation-skipping transfer taxes. The 529 plans may also affect eligibility for need-based financial aid. Depending on the number of descendants and increases in college costs, a Dynasty 529 Plan might not be enough to pay for the college costs of all future generations. 

Even if you don't think you'll receive financial aid, you likely should fill out the FAFSA.According to Sallie How America Pays for College report, 74% of students and families completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA for the 2023-2024 school year.So why are over 25% of students deciding not to apply? They may believe their parents make too much or that they won't qualify for another reason and don't want to waste their time. But skipping the FAFSA can leave free money, access to student loans, and other opportunities on the table. Even if you don’t think you need it now you might wish you had later on. The FAFSA application window is open now.Here’s why you should fill out the FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll receive aid.

A full-ride scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies and equipment.It can include college-specific awards, national programs from private scholarship providers, and athletic scholarships.But while winning a full-ride scholarship is a prestigious accomplishment and significantly eases the cost of paying for college, it's very elusive, with few students winning a full-ride each year. The good news is, there are steps you can take to improve your chances.

Colleges have been known to withhold college transcripts to recover unpaid debts. But this practice is becoming illegal in some places.For many students and alumni, a college transcript is more than a piece of paper – it’s a gateway to career opportunities, additional education, and professional development. But what happens when a college withholds your transcript? Is it even legal for an institution to do that?The answer is complicated, yet this is a reality for many who face unpaid debts to their former colleges. Let’s dive into why this happens, the rules governing transcript withholding, and how recent regulatory changes could affect you.

While many types of student loan forgiveness are tax-free federally, several states may levy taxes on student loan forgiveness.Even though some popular programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) are tax free federally, every state has a different law regarding state taxes on loan forgiveness.The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 added an exclusion from income on federal income tax returns for student loan forgiveness through December 31, 2025 - meaning all types of student loan forgiveness is tax free on the federal level.But what about state policies for taxing student loan forgiveness? Some states provide tax-free status for student loan forgiveness and some do not. This could be an unexpected tax bomb waiting for some Americans.

With the recent reports about colleges providing false information for rankings, could college ranking fraud or misleading financial aid award letters qualify you for student loan forgiveness?Borrower Defense to Repayment can discharge a borrower’s federal student loans when they were defrauded by their college. But what does the Department of Education define as "defrauded"?With the recent reports of colleges (especially some 'prestigious' ones) providing false information to boost their scores in rankings like US News, and other reports of colleges sending misleading financial aid award letters to make their schools appear less expensive to attend - the question of what is considered fraud extends well beyond the issues that we've seen with for-profit colleges.Can you qualify for loan forgiveness if your college provided false and misleading information to the college rankings? Can you qualify for student loan forgiveness if your college provided a misleading financial aid award letter? The answer is, as is often the case in matters relating to financial aid for college, “it depends.” 

If you're looking for additional funds to pay for college, you may be looking at Federal vs. private student loans.After you're admitted to college, you’ll receive a financial aid package that breaks down your cost of attendance minus any grants, scholarships, or other sources of financial aid you’re eligible for. This financial aid package includes federal student loans.Many students choose to cover their college expenses with Federal student loans, but it's not the only way (or you may need to borrow more than Federal loans offer). You can also use private student loans. There are pros and cons to consider before going the private route, but it might be the right decision depending on your financial situation.We explore the differences between federal vs. private student loans and what you should consider before signing on the dotted line.