Graduation Debt

New Online Course on Repaying Federal Student Loans

Reyna — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:18:15 +0000

Hi, everyone. I’m so excited that my udemy.com course on repaying federal student loans begins today! I get to hand guide you through many of the websites I talked about in CliffsNotes Graduation Debt.

Checkout the introductory video: udemy.com/how-to-repay-federal-student-loans/.

have Questions for Me on Student Loans or Paying for College?

Reyna — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:09:32 +0000

Ask me live at 8p EST today on www.collegeweeklive.com.

5 Steps for Utilizing 529 College Savings Plan Funds

Reyna — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 23:00:41 +0000

Parents of students starting college this fall can finally withdraw the funds they’ve worked so hard to accumulate in their 529 plans, education savings plans with tax benefits.

But before parents request funds from their plan administrator or adviser, they have to be aware of key details, such as when tuition is due and how long it takes to ask for a distribution of funds and receive the check.

Read the full article at usnews.com. . .

3 Ways to Ask for Contributions to 529 College Savings Plans

Reyna — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:22:28 +0000

Four-year tuition and fees for public universities will be $95,000 for kids starting school in 2028, estimates savingforcollege.com. To meet those needs, parents are seeking help from friends and relatives to pay for college.

Some new websites offer parents creative ways to solicit donations for education expenses. College savings registry sites offer an array of E-mail invitations for events, announcements for children’s educational milestones, and depending on the site, profile pages that show progress toward savings goals.

Have Questions for Me on Student Loans or Paying for College?

Reyna — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:17:46 +0000

Ask me live at 8p EST today on www.collegeweeklive.com.

3 Savings Tips for Parents of Study Abroad Students

Reyna — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:19:15 +0000

Certified Financial Planner® John Gugle spent his sophomore year abroad attending Sophia University in Tokyo. “The opportunity to live and study outside the U.S.A. helped broaden my understanding of the world and ultimately helped provide career opportunities to work overseas for global companies,” Gugle says.

As part of Gugle’s work at Alpha Financial Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, N.C., he advises parents and students on how to utilize money saved in 529 plans, U.S. education savings plans with tax benefits, when studying overseas.

4 Costly Mistakes Parents Make When Saving for College

Reyna — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:55:55 +0000

“Depending on the number of children you have, paying for college is the most expensive event outside of paying for retirement,” says Fred Amrein, ChFC® and principal of Amrein Financial in Wynnewood, Pa. However, experts say, the total price of paying for college can be decreased by making smart decisions.

Here are four mistakes parents should avoid making:

Take These 4 Steps Before Opening a 529 Plan

Reyna — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 03:30:51 +0000

Curious how Jeff Howkins, president of Sallie Mae’s Upromise Investments, Inc., saved for college before 529 plans existed? Read Take These 4 Steps Before Opening a 529 Plan on usnews.com.

How Smart Students Pay for School Checklists

Reyna — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 03:20:31 +0000

Not sure what to do with the new information you acquired from How Smart Students Pay for School?

Start with these checklists:

Parents

Total your assets you will contribute before chatting with your teen: 529 plan contributions, time and financial knowledge.
Check into workplace scholarships and state-based family veteran’s education benefits if your son or daughter might be eligible.
Have an initial chat with your teen about their goals
Meet with your teen and talk about the next step: meeting with their guidance counselor, campus visits.
Follow through with commitments.

Students

Prepare to chat with your parents. Have clearly defined goals and reasons for school and career choices.
Talk to your guidance counselor to take career assessments tests if you haven’t.
Gather information on scholarships on your own or with your high school counselor.
Prepare goals for your parent chat, including what your expectations are of them.
Talk with parents.

Returning Students

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Gather your past transcripts.
Be prepared to discuss course credit when your class may not have identical course numbers to your new school’s but does have a similar descriptions.
Check into workplace scholarships.
Have a plan for the career you want post graduation.

Graduates with Debt

Review all your federal student loans on the national student loan data system site.
Rehabilitate any defaults if needed.
Reconsider your repayment options. Use the calculators on the resources page of this site and call your servicer to discuss repayment plan differences.
Find out if you qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Follow the links in the resources page for more information.
Only return to school if you have a plan for your career post graduation.

California State Veterans Education Benefits

Reyna — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:28:53 +0000

If you reside in California there are several benefits that could apply to you and your children.

Groups that should follow this link and read benefits starting on page 128:

Spouses and children of disabled veterans
Current members of the military stationed in California
Veterans who were stationed in California

While my focus is always on education benefits, read about other benefits offered such as property tax waivers. After all, any money saved helps towards pursuing education and other goals.

Have a wonderful July 4th and thank you for your service!

Reyna