Topic: Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Why do some colleges require the PROFILE if they already have the FAFSA?
Typically, only expensive, private colleges request a PROFILE. The reason is that the gap between a typical family’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) and the cost of the college is so large that there is not enough public money (state and… More »
Basic information about student loans
For most families, paying for college includes borrowing. There are many ways to finance the costs of college, after your family has used savings or other investments. Those include student loans, parent loans, using home equity, personal loans, and even… More »
Tips for parents: saving, paying and borrowing for your child’s college education
Determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Toward College Costs
As a parent, how much you are expected to contribute toward your child's college education is determined by the federal government based on information you provide in the Free Application for… More »
What is a credit report?
Credit reports contain information that can help individuals access loans, credit cards, and employment. They provide the information that is necessary to acquire all types of loans, including student loans, mortgages, home equity, auto, and home equity lines of credit.… More »
Spending money on visiting your college student
By Katherine, Empty Nester / Mother of Two
If I could offer one financial tip to parents of first-year college students, it is this: book your hotel for family weekend the moment your child submits an acceptance!
The tragedy here is that I followed my own advice...the minute… More »
Using the college parent network
By Kim, Empty Nester / Mother of Six
By this point in the process of preparing your future college freshman, you should have sent the deposit in, reviewed your financial aid forms, and your child should have begun the chore of completing numerous other forms. These would include… More »
College lending in crisis
By Katherine, Empty Nester / Mother of Two
"As credit crunch hits student loan market, many are finding it difficult to finance their educations." (The Morning Call, Allentown, PA 3/9/08)
That was the headline that greeted me Sunday morning. The article detailed how a crisis in the sub-prime… More »
Navigating the maze of student loans
By Kim, Empty Nester / Mother of Six
When my first child applied for financial aid, we eagerly awaited our financial aid packet. The financial aid office at several schools, anticipated that we would qualify for need-based money simply because we were a family of eight that included… More »
Student loans or free money
By Janet, Empty Nester / Two Kids in College
So all the details are done…we are settling into life with a child in college and by golly, I got the Federal Loan to pay all the expenses! Wonderful, what a relief. My husband and I could not have done… More »
Saving for college
There are many options for how to better prepare to pay for the costs of college. From Qualified Tuition Plans (or 529s), to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, to U.S. Treasury Bonds, the range of ways in which to put away… More »
