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 ...

A faltering economy, the student loan crunch and rising tuition are making it increasingly harder to pay for college. But there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel for those in the know. The yearly phenomenon known within the financial aid community as the "summer melt" is working in students' favor -- this year more than ever -- ...

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 ...

In a statement today, the Obama Administration announced sweeping changes to the FAFSA. Families filling out the FAFSA will no longer have to go through such a painstaking process just to see if they qualify for aid. With the new changes, the online FAFSA will see a drop from 30 screens of questions to 10, according to CNN. The goal, according ...

Several grass-roots groups were established on Facebook in early 2009 calling for the cancellation of all student loan debt under the theory that this will stimulate the economy. Most noteworthy is the group Cancel Student Loan Debt to Stimulate the Economy (see also www.forgivestudentloandebt.com) founded by Robert Applebaum, a New York attorney. This group has grown to have more than 220,000 ...

Unfortunately, federal aid isn't distributed on whether or not your parents want to pay for your education; it all depends on if they can. Parents have many reasons for not contributing to their child's education: can't afford it; it's the child's responsibility; sticky divorce. But your parents refusal actually hurts you more than they may know. Regardless of your parents' reasons, ...

President Barack Obama has vowed to make education a top priority. But what does that mean for you? According to Education.com, America lags behind many nations in the world when it comes to making college affordable. To make college more affordable for Americans, Obama plans center around two goals: his American Opportunity Tax Credit and freeing up more money for aid ...

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 ...

Tip 1: Prioritize your efforts, starting with the federal government. Then turn to the private sector for additional assistance. Visit FinAid.org to learn about all your funding opportunities. Tip 2: Learn all you can about the college financial aid process. Be sure to meet your aid administrator and establish a relationship. Tip 3: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ...

Stephanie Stevenson’s parents always encouraged her to pursue higher education, saying it would not only make her a better person but a better citizen. Stevenson has taken this to heart by achieving high grades at the University of Maryland and plans to gain a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Urban Planning. Today, at a White House Press Conference on Higher Education, ...

This year more than ever, the economy is making it more difficult for families to pay for college. The number of financial aid applications is up more than 10% over last year. Lenders are suspending loan programs and tightening credit standards. Families are concerned -- really concerned -- about obtaining loans and paying for college. Add in the possibility of job ...

"I am a college sophomore and I pay for school myself. For the last two years, I have used my parents' tax information on the FAFSA. Since I pay for school myself without any help from my parents, should I list only my own tax information to be eligible for more aid?" This is a common question about the FAFSA: When ...

For you juniors starting to think about your next step, you’re realizing that your college search might boil down to one thing: money. But if the sticker price on your dream school isn’t realistic, don’t worry. The advertised tuition figure isn’t always the bottom line. Hidden programs could wind up saving you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Here are four ...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the stimulus bill, includes major increases in student aid funding for the 2009-10 academic year. It includes the largest dollar increase ever in the maximum Pell Grant and significantly expands the Hope Scholarship tax credit. It also increases funding for the Federal Work-Study and AmeriCorps programs. The legislation was signed ...

Like many nontraditional students, I found the process of returning to school intimidating. Worries hung over my head. How would I pay my bills? Support my family? Pay my tuition? It was those questions that drove me to begin my own scholarship hunt. I used FastWeb, asked friends and kept my eyes open. Yet when I found scholarships I was eligible ...

A common scholarship myth is that millions of dollars go unclaimed each year, and it is exactly that: a myth. But there’s another way to save money that has gone untapped by thousands of students and their families, a source of help “hidden” in plain sight. It’s so hidden, students failed to take advantage of millions of dollars in benefits, according ...

There are many ways in which grandparents can help their grandchildren pay for a college education. These include legacy scholarships and tuition assistance programs, educational awards for volunteering and community service, college savings plans and direct gifts. Scholarships for Grandchildren Very few scholarships are based on a grandparent's affiliations. There are many more awards based on a parent's affiliations. However, sometimes ...

Short on funds shouldn't mean you're short on brains. Don't be that guy who has to admit, "I was young; I needed the money." True: being a college student means making mistakes, but in these financial times, there are some lessons it's better not to have to learn the hard way. No matter how bad it gets, making one of these ...

The US House of Representatives is considering legislation to overhaul the federal education loan and grant programs. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, nicknamed SAFRA, will increase funding for federal student aid programs and simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. These changes will implement several of President Obama's campaign promises. Switch to 100% Direct Lending Starting ...