Category Archives: Financial Aid

Ask the Financial Expert: “Why do students need to reapply for FAFSA every year?”

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jodi Okun | 3 Comments

Question: “Why do students need to reapply for FAFSA every year?” asked by parent Lisa Singelyn via email.

Answer: You must file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) every year you wish to apply for financial aid, since the FAFSA goes off of your previous year’s tax information and that can change from year to year. The FAFSA for the upcoming academic year ALWAYS becomes available on January 1st preceding that year. So, for instance for the 2012 – 2013 school year, the FAFSA became available on January 1, 2012.

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Posted in Financial Aid

Tagged Ask the Expert, Ask the Financial Expert, College Financial Aid Advisors, CollegeCash, FAFSA, Financial Aid, Jodi Okun, Money for College, Saving for College, Student Financial Aid Administrators, University of Redlands

Ask the Financial Expert: “What is the Best Savings Plan for my Child’s College Education?”

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Jodi Okun | 5 Comments

Question: “What is the best savings plan for my child’s college education?”

Answer: A college fund can be started in a number of savings and investment vehicles. You can put the money in traditional accounts that are safer or use high yield investments, which are not as safe but may generate higher yields, or do both. No matter what you choose, you need to pick a plan to determine what your path is going to be. If you sit on the fence, you may not be able to save the necessary funds required for your child’s higher education.

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Posted in Financial Aid

Tagged 529 Plan, Ask the Expert, Ask the Financial Expert, College Financial Aid Advisors, College Savings Plans, CollegeCash, ESA, Financial Aid, Jodi Okun, Money for College, Saving for College, Student Financial Aid Administrators, University of Redlands, UTGA, UTMA

Top 5: Ways to Cut Student Loan Debt

Posted on February 28, 2012 by guestexpert | 8 Comments

David Bakke, Money Crashers, shares ways students can cut expenses at college in order to decrease reliance on student loans.

At a minimum, you can expect to pay at least $9,000 for one year of college tuition and fees. Add in all the other expenses, and the cost of attending college reaches a staggering sum. However, rather than resigning yourself to an enormous debt when you graduate, you can reduce your student loan debt.

Remember, when you acquire student loans you have to pay interest on every dollar borrowed. So depending on your interest rate and the time needed to pay back your debt, every dollar saved during college can translate into as much as four dollars earned.

Here are ways to cut student loan debt.

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Posted in Financial Aid

Tagged David Bakke, Financial Aid, Money Crashers, Paying for College, Saving Money, Student Loans, University of South Florida

Poll Results: Financial Aid

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Max Miller | Leave a comment

In our poll last week, we asked our readers if they do or did use financial aid to help pay for their college education.

With the constantly increasing cost of college tuition, it comes as no surprise that the majority (54%) said they turned to financial assistance to make their college education a reality, while 46% did not.

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Posted in Financial Aid, Special Features

Tagged Financial Aid, Financial Aid Week, Grants, Loans, Poll Results, Scholarships, Special Features, Weekly Poll

Ask the Guest Expert: “How Can I Cut My Reliance on Student Loans?”

Posted on January 13, 2012 by guestexpert | 1 Comment

As Financial Aid Week comes to a close, David Bakke, Money Crashers, shares ways students can prevent becoming dependent on loans.

Question: “How can I cut my reliance on student loans?”

Answer: According to recent statistics from College Board, you can expect to pay anywhere from $9,000 to $36,000 for one year of college tuition and fees. When you add in the ancillary expenses of higher education, such as books, transportation costs and room and board, the costs quickly escalate.

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Posted in Financial Aid, Special Features

Tagged Ask the Expert, Ask the Financial Expert, David Bakke, Financial Aid, Financial Aid Week, Money Crashers, Special Features

Financial Aid Week: Advice for Military Students

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Max Miller | 1 Comment

Veterans and students who are in the military are eligible to receive certain financial assistance to help cover the cost of college tuition and other education related fees.

Here are some ways that students from all branches of the military – army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, national guard and the reserves – can maximize the amount of financial aid they receive.

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Posted in Financial Aid, Military, Special Features

Tagged Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Financial Aid, Financial Aid Week, GI Bill, Marines, Military, National Guard, Navy, Special Features

New Poll: Financial Aid

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Debra Eckerling | 2 Comments

Do you/did you use financial aid to help pay for your college education?

Respond to the Question of the Week on The Explorer Blog or on Facebook.

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Posted in Financial Aid, Question of the Week

Tagged Financial Aid, Question of the Week

Financial Aid Week: Advice for Adult Students

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Max Miller | 1 Comment

If you are curious about using financial aid as a way to realistically go back to school, you have excellent options. Applying for financial aid as an adult is similar to applying as a younger student, since eligibility requirements pertain. Just follow the same guidelines in order to maximize the benefits you may be eligible to receive.

Here are a few ways adult students can obtain further education without breaking the bank.

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Posted in Adult Education, Financial Aid, Special Features

Tagged Adult Education, Campus Explorer Exclusive Scholarship, Community College, FAFSA, Financial Aid, Financial Aid Week, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Graduate School, Online Learning, Scholarships, Special Features, Tuition Assistance

Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes When Applying for Financial Aid

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Max Miller | 1 Comment

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Every student should be taking advantage of the opportunity to apply for financial assistance.

As you make your way through the financial aid application process, make sure you don’t make these common mistakes.

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Posted in Financial Aid, Special Features

Tagged FAFSA, Financial Aid, Financial Aid Week, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Paying for College, Special Features, These Three Mistakes

Ask the Financial Expert: “What Can Parents do to Help their Children Apply for Financial Aid?”

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Scott Goodman | Leave a comment

Question: “What can parents do to help their children apply for financial aid?”

Answer: It is important for parents to realize that their child’s federal financial aid result is directly dependent on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The 2012 – 2013 FAFSA became available last week. It is imperative that both the parents and their children fill out the FAFSA together to make sure that the information is accurate.

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Posted in Financial Aid, Special Features

Tagged Ask the Expert, Ask the Financial Expert, Entertainment Wealth Management, Financial Aid, Financial Aid Week, Mount St. Mary's College, Parents, Scott Goodman, Special Features