Wondering how you will pay for college? Before you max out credit cards or ask the bank for a loan, find out what the government has to offer!
The government offers several borrowing programs for college-bound students and their parents. Today’s post will cover the basics of three government loan programs: Stafford, PLUS and Perkins.
Stafford Loans are available directly from the government through the Direct Loan Program. If a school does not participate in the Direct Loan Program, the funds are lent to students from a bank or other lender that participates in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program.
Unsubsidized loans are not need-based …read more

Students seeking financial assistance for college are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, aka the “FAFSA.” The FAFSA has been called long, difficult and confusing. Is it worth the trouble?
YES!
Here are some common excuses for skipping the FAFSA and reasons why you should IGNORE the excuses:
Excuse #1: “I don’t need financial aid.”
You may not need it this year, but what about the next three or four? Things change and if a parent loses a job or suffers a medical emergency, you may find yourself in a new, less comfortable financial predicament.
You have to fill out the FAFSA in order to receive student …read more

With the rising cost of a college education, is college still a good investment?
According to Fortune Magazine, the average cost of tuition plus room and board can run from $14,000 per year at a public university to $34,000 per year at a private university.
The cost of college has far outpaced the income of the average family. Filling the gap with loans can leave students saddled with debt and wondering if college is worth a try.
After all, several successful people have never attended college or enrolled and then dropped out.
For example, at 19, Michael Dell dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin. Steve …read more