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He's the Financial Aid Guru. Only on FastWeb.
April 22, 2009
Is your financial aid advice featured in The New York Times? Didn’t think so. Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher of FastWeb and FinAid, is nationally recognized as an often quoted leading financial aid expert. With degrees from M.I.T., Carnegie-Mellon and more quotes than Webster’s, he is the financial aid guy’s financial aid guy. Here’s his advice for these tough times.
Kantrowitz strongly encourages families to <a href= “/financial-aid/articles/289-bailout-yourself—tips-for-college-savings”>save 1/3 of the future college costs. He believes that another 1/3 can come from <a href= “/financial-aid/articles/293-is-your-financial-aid-a-victim-of-the-recession”>financial aid. And the last 1/3 comes in the form of future income from your student loans. Everyone should open a 529 Savings Plan—they’re the best.
Kantrowitz also advises families on how to save. “Try to make the saving automatic, such as setting up a monthly transfer from your bank account to the savings plan,” says Kantrowitz.
“Always borrow federal loans first. Federal loans are cheaper, more available, and have better repayment terms than private student loans,” states Kantrowitz. The subsidized Stafford and Perkins loans are for families that demonstrate financial need.
However, the unsubsidized Stafford and PLUS loans are for everyone, even those that are wealthy.
Financial aid is confusing. That’s why FastWeb users rely on Mark Kantrowitz and his regular articles on the Financial Aid Channel. If you want to get the financial aid scoop before CNN, look for it here on the new FastWeb.
<a href = “/college-scholarships/”>Find Scholarships Now!
Financial aid goes over-the-head of any average person, but luckily, Mark Kantrowitz gets it. Check out more advice from the Guru:
- A Dozen Tips on Paying for College in a Down Economy
- Solutions for Borrowers Who Can’t Make the Payments
- Obama Bills Contain Big Boost in Student Aid Funding
- Ask the Expert: Why Not Borrow from My 401K for My Daughter’s College Tuition?
MukayaA
about 13 hours ago
hello am mukaya alex grom uganda anm in secondry levr i need to help me school feel my mail mukayaalex@yahoo.com
NTOOBARI
22 days ago
i need help
anp03
25 days ago
I am a middle aged working woman. I am seeking to go back to school to change careers. What kind of financial help is available to me? I hold my BA, and my children are grown.
LindsayB299
about 1 month ago
I'm a parent of a 21 year old that has stopped going to college one year ago and she is in repayment of her stafford loans. Who should be able to claim the interest that has been paid for 2009? The loan is in her name but I've made the payments for the past year.
BrendaG7
about 1 month ago
I want to know if the new changes will allow someone who is attending a medical school in Aruba to get federal student loans?
mrobeng
2 months ago
student loan consolidation blog
AidaB9
2 months ago
I don't live in US.I was serious about e-learning.but I can't pay.I would like to learn english language,accounting or pharmacy.Is it posible?
ConsueloC5
2 months ago
I'm an American student completing my PhD in the UK. I still need some more aid, but have practically exhausted my Stafford loan lifetime limit and cannot get a GradPLUS loan because I've not had a US address in several years and what few UK scholarships available are only for UK and EU citizens. Are there any other possibilities for me?
SebastianM35
2 months ago
How can a student from a country in Africa be assisted? I'm a Kenyan man pursuing Theological studies in Kenya and I need a scholarship.Thank you.
Sebastian M. Muthoka.
sebatabby@yahoo.com
LauraAG
3 months ago
My daughter was accepted at the Art Institute or Orange County, and we have a son become a senior at High school I work and husband is disabled, how is the best way to found real scholarships and not scams?
some help here please
ChelseaM506
3 months ago
My daughter was accepted at Chapman University in Orange, California, the month I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Chemo makes me too weak to work Thank God I got tuition help but still have a balance due. I can try for loans but I wouldn't give me a loan, with disability equal to about $1,200/month. I do have Roth IRAs that can help. This has to be wise considering what my 80K will be worth in 3 years when I can use it. I can only use it for education so I will. If I have other options please let me know. thanks so much. kauaicharm@yahoo.com
AndrewY181
4 months ago
CAN ANYONE HELLP?
GRANDMA IS MOVING IN.....SHE ONLY HAS SS CHECK AS INCOME. WILL THIS HELP OR HURT MY SON'S FASFA IF WE CLAIM HER AS DEPENDENT....
MarkB301
4 months ago
I hgot an Honorable
MarkB301
4 months ago
I was in the VEAP program when I was in the Navy. That was in the 80's (84 to 88). I have that I contributed to the VEAP program on my discharge, but never got a refund. I tried to use it to go back to school in 1992, but I was denied and they gave no specific reason. My veterans rep in Monroe, NC told me that they just wrote a lot of words on a piece of paper, but never explained why I was denied my VEAP benefits. He told me to put in for the refund, and I did. I got a message from them saying they couldn't find it. That's not my fault! They lose stuff all the time when it comes to military veterans. By it being on my discharge should be enough to give it to me. Wouldn't you agree?
dweber
4 months ago
GaryK61, I am 100% behind you. I am 45 and just lost one of two investment properties. My tennents decided not to pay rent for a few months and it took me a few more to get them out. The laws do not protect us (hardworking, honest americans). I am going back to school this fall and am not sure how well it is going to work out. I was born with a disabillity and have previously been on S.S.D.I. however, I am not one of those who work the system. So I get crapped on, just like you! We need to get rid of the two party government and begin a true democracy for things to change.