I filled out the FAFSA in March and recently received a letter that offered me a $3,500 unsubsidized Stafford loan. I did a little research and found out I would have to pay interest on interest. I'm thinking about declining it and mailing it back to the school I attend. Will I be offered any other financial aid or is this ...

We asked parents to share their advice on the financial aid process, based on their experiences with their children. Here's what they said: "Keep a file folder with each piece of correspondence in it. That way you have a paper trail. Every time a new loan, grant or financial aid comes in, you may receive a revised bill. Also, make sure ...

Sallie Mae and Gallup just released the results of their third annual survey of how American families pay for college. The survey found that families perceived college costs as increasing by more than 17% compared with last year. As a result, families are becoming more cost conscious in their college choices. Family estimates of the total cost of attendance increased 17% ...

We the parents screwed up financially and had to file for bankruptcy and are in a Chapter 13 repayment program. The FAFSA thinks according to their estimator that we can afford to pay $10,000 a year (parent contribution) but there is no way. There is no provision for us to show that $1,500 a month goes to courts. (That's $18,000 a ...

The US House of Representatives approved the student loan and health care reform legislation on Sunday night, March 21, 2010, by a vote of 220 to 211. No Republicans voted in favor of the legislation. The US Senate is expected to pass the legislation within about a week. The student loan bill will end the federally-guaranteed student loan program, where banks ...

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 ...

For many college-bound students the anticipation of higher education is overshadowed by financial anxieties. With tuition rising faster than financial aid dollars, more students are finding gaps in their financial aid packages. The gap appears when the student's expected family contribution (EFC) plus the school's financial aid package don't equal the cost of attendance. This gap appears as unmet need on ...

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 ...

The federal government's newest rate cut could have an impact on some student loans. Learn how it could affect your student loans below. Q: How do I know whether this rate cut affects me? A: The rate cut will affect recently-graduated students for whom ALL THREE of the following are true: 1. You're within the six-month grace period following graduation AND ...

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. ...

If she wanted to save money on tuition, Erin Patterson had to make some money quickly. As an out-of-state student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Patterson needed to earn a certain amount on her W-2 in order to claim residency and thus lower her tuition bill. “I had no intention of becoming a resident of Missouri when I started college, but ...

With college costs rising, most students need help paying for higher education. And most will rely on more than one source to cover costs. Learn how to put together the pieces of your financial aid package. Grants Grants are awards based on financial need or funds distributed to support a specific project (e.g. research grants). This is free money that doesn't ...

Wells Fargo announced on December 17, 2010 that it is adding death and disability discharges to its private student loan products. When the student borrower dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled, the remaining debt will be discharged. This new policy applies to all Wells Fargo private student loans, including loans with a cosigner. Total and permanent disability is defined as ...

Suppose you've made the required payments on all your loans and want to use some extra money to pay off your debt quicker. How do you choose which loan to pay off first? There are two main strategies for accelerating the repayment of debt. One involves paying down the loan with the highest after-tax interest rate first. The other, popularized by ...

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 ...

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 ...

I am 26 years old and would like to go back to college. I have $12,000 in student loans which are currently in administrative wage garnishment. I make $27,000 a year and would like to get my loans back in good standing. I have called the collection agency in charge of my loan and they insist on me paying $120 extra ...

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 ...

According to a press release from Securian Financial Group, Sallie Mae is adding a total and permanent disability discharge on its Smart Option private student loan. This discharge will forgive the loan if the primary borrower becomes totally and permanently disabled. In addition, Sallie Mae will cancel the Smart Option private student loan if the primary borrower dies. Securian Financial Group ...

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 ...