The College Investor Audio Show

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.

CDs (or certificates of deposit) are low-risk savings vehicles offered by banks, credit unions and many other financial institutions.Individuals can commit a certain amount of money for a specific period of time, and the issuing bank commits to paying a specified rate of interest.CDs generally have terms ranging from a few months to several years, and usually offer higher yields than savings accounts. But with over $1 trillion in CDs maturing in 2025, investors have some big decisions to make.

Dual enrollment allows you to earn college credit while you’re still in high school. Doing so can help you save money on the total cost of your education while preparing you for a more rigorous course load once you start college.A 529 plan can be used for dual enrollment but there are some things you should be mindful of before you withdraw funds from your account.

If you've come into a windfall of money, you might be wondering what is the best way to invest $50,000 (or even more)?With a large amount of money to invest, you have several different options. There is no single "right answer" that will work for everyone—instead, what works for you will depend on your own unique situation. But being aware of the different options helps you make the best choice.And note - there might be some things you want to do before you invest such as paying off debt. Let's talk about some of these options.

529 plan performance is tough to measure - it's not just the investment returns, but it's also about the tax benefits and fees.Minimizing costs is usually key to maximizing returns, but not always. Sometimes, state income tax breaks can compensate for the cost of 529 plans with higher fees. So, how can you find the best 529 plan for your state and situation?A more focused analysis of 529 plan portfolio performance net of costs and state income tax breaks yields results that differ from traditional 529 plan ratings.Let's break it down.

Don't you wish you could lower your student loan payment? It's possible, and legal, do work some "magic" to get your student loan payment lower.If you don't do anything with your student loans, you're automatically signed up to a generic repayment plan that typically has even payments for 10 years. However, that can be tough, especially right after graduation.Maybe you've just started working, or maybe you don't even have a job yet and you're just side hustling to make a little money? Maybe that standard repayment plan option just isn't working for you, and you're worried what will happen if you don't make a payment or you default. Maybe you haven't looked at your student loans since before the payment pause?If you're considering student loan deferment or forbearance, or if you're thinking about simply ignoring your student loan payments, don't!Here are five legal ways that you can lower your student loan payment so you don't have to go into default.

You know you want to invest. You know you need to invest. But honestly, how do you start investing in your 20s after college?Who do you trust? Do you pay someone to help? How do you know you're not going to be ripped off? Or even worse - how do you know you won't lose all your money? If you want to invest after college, here are our thoughts.For 20-somethings, investing is important, and you know it. In your 20s, time is on your side, and the more you save and invest now, the better off you'll be later.But, frankly, getting started investing after college is confusing. There are so many options, tools, thoughts, blogs to read about, and more. What the heck do you do?I'm going to share my thoughts on what you should do to start investing after college in your twenties when you're 22-29 years old. Let's dive in.

Applying to college may be the most stressful thing you've encountered in your life so far. Depending on the college you're applying to, you may have to submit grade transcripts, test scores, evidence of extracurricular activities, essays, and references. But one thing that colleges will almost never ask you about is your high school attendance. It's important to note that many high schools do include attendance information as part of your grade transcript. However, in almost all cases, colleges will not look at your high school attendance record.

Our parents had it rough during tax season. Doing their own taxes sometimes took a week or more. They’d spread papers and receipts across the kitchen table. Then they’d punch numbers in a calculator and flip through the IRS’s annual tax guide until ink coated their fingertips.Yikes!Today, thanks to tax software and other innovations, we can do our own taxes with fewer headaches. In fact, doing your own taxes with tax software should likely take you less than an hour (even less if you're organized). And new apps even allow you to do it on your phone!Here's what you need to know about how to do your own taxes!

As you start to consider where you’ll go to college, affordability is typically top of mind. The cost of higher education in the U.S. can be daunting, but understanding financial aid policies – and identifying need-blind colleges – can make the process less overwhelming. If you’re unfamiliar with the term “need-blind,” it refers to an admissions policy in which a college chooses not to consider a student’s financial situation when making the decision on whether to admit that student. Here’s everything you need to know about need-blind schools and how they might impact your college decision.

Christmas is over! Now it's time to handle all of the unwanted Christmas gifts that you're stuck with. Hopefully you have a family full of awesome gift-givers, and you want to keep everything you got. But the fact is, most of our families are terrible gift givers, and you probably have a bunch of Christmas gifts you don't want or need.So what should you do with these unwanted gifts? Well, not all hope is lost. Here are some ways that you can turn those unwanted Christmas gifts into cash.Are you ready to earn money from those unwanted gifts?

The competition to get into medical school is intense, and you need to be prepared. Start your planning with our medical school admissions guide. Learn more.

Financial aid consists of loans, scholarships, and grants that help cover the cost of college. Depending how much you need to pay for books, tuition, and housing, you may have some money leftover in your bursar’s account.What should you do with unused financial aid money? Should you spend it or save it for the future? More importantly, can you return it if you don’t need or want it?Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of unused financial aid money and whether or not returning it is the right move to make.

If there’s one thing you’re certain to encounter in college, it’s group projects. Some students love the collaboration, while others dread the challenge of coordinating and communicating with classmates.And while many might warn you to prepare yourself for uneven workloads, unclear expectations, and endless group chat notifications, it’s not all bad.Group projects don’t have to feel like a chore. In fact, they can actually create opportunities to learn essential skills, such as collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving. The secret to success lies in preparation, communication, and strategic planning.With the right approach, group work can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved – and a chance to deliver results that are better than what you might have achieved on your own.

Graduate school is an opportunity to advance your education and further your career. While post-pandemic applications are up, actual enrollments are down, so right now is as good a time as ever to send in your application.One huge perk of graduate school is that your career earnings are likely to be higher than if you only had a bachelor's degree.For 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an annual median wage difference of $11,908 (or $229 weekly). And that’s just the difference between a bachelor’s and a master’s – other professional or doctoral degrees can lead to even higher annual incomes.

In today's world of data breaches, online banking, and online shopping, it's essential that you take practical steps to keep your financial information secure. Unless you’re an unbanked person, most of your personal and financial information is online.That means it could be accessible to hackers and thieves who can cause headaches (and financial loss) as you try to clean up their mess. Keeping your information as secure as possible will help you avoid these headache and keep your finances moving forward.Whether you’re more worried about nameless hackers, nosy roommates, or kids who want to use your credit cards, here are a few of the best ways to secure your financial information.

You’re reading this because it is likely that a year from now, you will be getting ready to attend a college to pursue a major you’re excited about. But how does the college admissions process even work?At this point, you’re on an information highway that all seems confusing and blurry because of the number of things you have to think about in order to attend college next year.PSATs, SATs, letters of recommendation, choosing a major, and visiting college campuses are most likely piling up on your agenda — or will be soon.And hopefully, a year from now, you would have landed that coveted spot at the university of your choice. But how exactly does the college admissions process work? How do you get from here to there?While it works differently at different colleges, there are common themes that run through the college admissions process and the goal with this post is to show you what you can expect as you go through the process.

Borrowers often believe that student loan servicers get to keep the interest on the loan. But it doesn’t work like that.Servicing companies collect payments of principal and interest on behalf of the loan holder (the Department of Education in the case of federal loans). In exchange, they're paid a monthly fee for each loan serviced.So how much do federal student loan servicers make per loan?

With tax season quickly approaching, you’re probably seeing ads for refund anticipation loans. Refund anticipation loans (also known as refund advance loans or tax refund loans) are a form of secured debt. A lender (usually a tax preparer) will give you an advance on your tax refund (often up to $3,000). In exchange, the tax preparer will pay the loan back (both principal, interest and fees) when the refund arrives at the preparer’s office. Then the remainder of the refund will then be passed to you. These are some of the pros and cons of taking a tax refund advance loan.Now, here’s what you need to know about tax refund advances.

Student loans are back in repayment, and starting in 2025, that also means that collection activity has resumed on student loan debt. Could your student loans cause you to see your tax refund garnished?According to data from the Department of Education, around seven million borrowers have defaulted on their student loans. Those who are in default could risk having their tax refund seized come tax time.You might be planning on getting a tax refund in 2025 but if you’re in default on your federal student loans, your refund could be at risk. Here’s what you need to know about how tax refund garnishments work and how to stay out of default to avoid losing your refund.

Deciding what college to attend is a big decision. It could potentially affect your entire life. But will it? Does what college you go to actually matter?Prestigious schools definitely have some benefits, such as networking opportunities and name recognition on your resume. But do the benefits outweigh the costs?Public schools and community colleges can both offer a high quality education at a fraction of the cost. But are you giving up opportunities that a name brand school could give you?Society values education and they may respect education from a prestigious college even more. Is there proof that prestigious universities offer more opportunities and financial footing, or is it just a dream we’re bribed to fall into?