If you're struggling to make your monthly student loan payments on your measly first-job salary, you're not alone. The good news is, the government is taking notice -- and changing the game to make sure monthly payments don't cripple college grads. Even better, whatever you haven't paid off after 25 years may be forgiven. With this new option, instead of calculating ...

On July 1st, borrowers who have federal loans with a variable interest rate will be able to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in the history of student loan programs through loan consolidation. Borrowers who consolidate will not only save themselves a lot of hassle but a great deal of money as well. The new interest rates will save borrowers ...

If you’re thinking about consolidating your variable-rate federal student loans now — don’t. At least not until July 1, 2009. Starting in July, the interest rates on these education loans will drop to a historic low — which will save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan. But the new rates are only available on federal ...

This is a cautionary tale of the consequences of defaulting on education debt, based on the experiences of seven borrowers of federal and private student loans. The stories are all true, but names and inconsequential details have been changed to protect the borrowers. Education debt is a necessary evil. Most students graduate from college with debt. For example, seven out of ...

When you want to know what something costs you check the price tag, right? But sometimes it's not so simple. Compare going to a big-ticket school with attending a college with less expensive tuition. You might think it's easy to figure out which will cost you more. But in fact, every school figures out your financial aid package differently. And that ...

To fully understand your student loan options, it helps to understand some basic loan terms. You'll find them scattered throughout loan materials and in conversations with financial aid advisors. Use this glossary to get the terms straight on your loan. Accrued interest: The interest that accumulates on the unpaid balance of a loan. Annual percentage rate (APR): The interest associated with ...

The US House of Representatives passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (SAFRA) on September 17, 2009 by a party-line vote of 253 to 171. This legislation eliminates the federally-guaranteed student loan program and replaces it with 100% direct lending from the federal government. SAFRA uses the savings to fund an increase in the Pell Grant program among ...

Graduate and professional students can borrow money for school through the PLUS Loan Program. Qualifying students who are enrolled at least half time can take out a loan for up to the cost of attendance, minus the amount of other forms of financial aid. You must file a FAFSA and accept all Stafford Loans you are offered before applying for the ...

After you submit your application for financial aid, you will receive a financial aid award letter from the college(s) to which you applied, typically in early to mid-April. This letter spells out the details of your financial aid package. A financial aid package is a collection of different types of financial aid from multiple sources. It is intended to help you ...

We asked FastWeb members to pass along their advice on financial aid, based on their personal experiences. Here's what they said: "It is NOT your school's responsibility to keep track of your account, it's yours! If you think that something is not right about your financial aid, check it out. Even if the school's mistake seems to be favoring you, you ...

Sometimes, the hardest thing about college or graduate school is paying for it. Scholarships, grants and work-study can help, but to fill the financial aid gap, most students will need to take out loans. There are a number of loan programs available. To pick the best one for you, check out all your options: Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) vs. ...

QUESTION: Why not borrow from my 401(k) for my daughter's college tuition, as there will be less to lose in this economic crisis? -- Betsy Thomas ANSWER: Borrowing from your 401(k) is almost always a big mistake. It may seem innocuous, since instead of paying back a bank loan, you're paying yourself. But you've lost the opportunity to earn further returns ...

Most families evaluate education loans based mainly on cash flow considerations: How much money can you get to pay for college costs and/or living expenses? How much are the monthly payments? When do the payments start and when do they end? What is the total cost of the loan (total payments over the life of the loan)? Who is responsible for ...

There are many options for repayment relief for borrowers who are having trouble repaying their education loans. These include deferments and forbearances that suspend the monthly payment obligation, alternate repayment plans that reduce the monthly payments by increasing the loan term, and forgiveness and discharge programs that cancel the loans entirely. Which options are appropriate for you depends in part on ...

Universities like Harvard, Princeton and Yale are doing away with college loans in favor of endowment-driven grants. Could this spark a bona fide loan-free trend among the nation's colleges? Is this the financial leg up you've been hoping for? The good news is that if your family's income is less than a certain magic number, you are bound to be eligible ...

Considering going back to school, but aren't quite sure how you're going to pay for it all? The solution may be closer than you think. Many employers now sponsor tuition assistance programs. Typically managed through a company's human resources department, tuition-assistance programs can do more than save you money. They also offer you the chance to integrate your formal education with ...

The Albany Common Council passed a non-binding resolution urging Congress to "consider forgiving student loans" on Monday, August 17, 2009 by a vote of 12 to 0. The city council's resolution was inspired by similar calls for forgiveness by several Facebook groups. Resolution #43.42.09R was proposed by Jim Sano, chair of the city council's Finance Committee. It urges Congress to forgive ...

As if there weren't enough reasons not to drop out of school, the Department of Education has provided yet another. Students who drop out of college are required to pay back a portion of their federal-aid funds such as the Pell Grant. Even though many educators and college officials feel that students may be reluctant to accept financial aid and attend ...

Sallie Mae and Gallup just released the results of a survey of how American families pay for college. The survey found that families are becoming more cost conscious in their college choices. Nevertheless, the majority of families still see college as a necessary and worthwhile investment in their children's future. Students from higher income families were more likely to enroll at ...

I applied for a Parent PLUS loan for my son's education starting this fall. I was turned down due to filing chapter 7 four years ago this October. They said I would not be able to get funds until October of 2010. My lawyer, who helped me file chapter 7 said that he believed this was discrimination and not allowed. Is ...