Student Article Archive 2007

Overview of Student Loans

When you're trying to pay for college, it's nice to turn to a wealthy uncle for a little financial assistance. No one is happier to help you pay for your higher education than Uncle Sam and the federal government.

For Students: Make Money through Savings Bonds

U.S. Savings Bonds earn money with little risk and little maintenance, an ideal option for the student saver.

Are Student Loans Headed for a Melt Down?

Student loan and subprime mortgage borrowers share many qualities. If the student loan market suffers a meltdown similar to the subprime market, its impact on the economy may be just as devastating.

No More Home Equity Loans for College Tuition

With mortgage lenders shutting the door on home equity loans, parents of college-bound kids may have to rethink their school, and financing, of choice.

Student Loan Default: Don't Even Think About It

If you have student loans, you can expect a rather unpleasant graduation present from the real world: Your lender will want you to start making loan payments. If you don't, you may wind up in default, and the consequences could be serious.

Understanding Student Loan Discounts

A "blue light special" in a discount store can ignite a bargain shopper stampede. Discounts on student loans may not prompt the same reaction among college students, but they do offer significant cost-savings.

Four Strategies to Help with Student Loan Debt

Traditionally, students throw mortarboards into the air when they graduate. For many college students, graduation is also a time when they begin throwing their money away by not repaying student loans properly.

Five Ideas for Saving Money on Student Loans

Student loans provide the springboard for bright careers and higher earnings. They can also drag a young professional deep into a financial hole if his repayment isn't managed wisely.

529 College Savings Plans

The average annual cost of a public college education is now $12,796, and a private university will cost you more than double that amount. You can gradually save for the day that the kids finally leave the roost with a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan.

Tapping Retirement Money for a College Education

Paying for your child's college education is a priority. But it shouldn't be your top priority. Personal finance experts say retirement planning comes first.

Credit cards and college students: A bad mix

College is a time for students to expand their minds, meet new people, and have a ton of fun. But it can also be a time when a student can get into serious financial trouble, courtesy of easily-accessible credit cards.

Ten Outside-the-Box College Scholarships

Many students think that the only way to get a scholarship is to be a gifted athlete or scholar. However, you'll be surprised to learn how many scholarships are awarded for bizarre, obscure reasons. If you're a unique individual, there might be a unique scholarship waiting for you.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Student loans are a burden to any college graduate. Thanks to a variety of loan forgiveness programs, though, they can also open the door to special opportunities.

Six Scholarship Scams to Avoid

Students on the hunt for scholarships may soon find themselves enrolled in the school of hard knocks. That's because the marketplace is riddled with scam artists offering bogus scholarships and services. Students need to be careful, or else they'll be paying for more than just tuition when they enroll in college.

Student Savings Tips: Small Changes Make a Huge Difference

Students take out college loans as investments in their futures. A college education pays off with higher earning potential. However, if you fall victim to credit card spending, as many students do, your future income will all be earmarked toward paying off debt. Here are some helpful tips to help you save instead of spend.

Choosing a Lender for Your Student Loan

College students have plenty of studying to do for their required classes. But doing some additional homework on student loans is worth more than extra credit-it can result in long-term savings.

Student Loans: Who Can you Trust?

If you're a parent or student plotting a strategy to pay college tuition, add one more worry to your list. Recent reports indicate that there have been unethical arrangements quietly occurring between lenders and universities. The unfortunate news has college families asking, "Who can you trust?"

College Graduates: Debt Management 101

If the real world has you feeling pressured to make ends meet, you're not alone. The average college graduate has approximately $2,000 of credit card debt and almost $20,000 of student debt. Learn how to break free of the debt burden that hounds more and more of today's college grads.

Four Priceless College Financing Tips

With tuition expenses going up in leaps and bounds, paying for a higher education is becoming an increasingly steep burden. More often than not, the balance in the college savings account isn't enough to cover tuition and four years of living expenses. Student borrowers and their parents can benefit greatly by some preliminary education on college financing.

Saving Students from Debt

Recent developments at America's top colleges and universities indicate that there's a new school of thought when it comes to helping students pay for higher education. Today, funds are being rewarded less on academic merit and more on financial need.

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30 Year Fixed   5.49
15 Year Fixed   5.08
5/1 Adjustable   5.19

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