Many high school students desire to play sports in college. Playing sports in college is a great way to continue a passion for athleticism, it's also a way to win funding to make college more affordable. At the end of your college experience, it can also be a way to show leadership acumen to an employer. On the flip side, playing sports in college requires extensive planning in high school and an even greater commitment of time in college. Join us in this video as we discuss the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA. 

If you're paying off federal student loans, it's crucial you know the  various repayment plans. Being in the wrong repayment plan can cost you  thousands of dollars. Although payment plans have changed over time, the current options represent a great opportunity for borrowers to save  money or modify payments to fit their goals, budget, and lifestyle. Watch this video to learn about the various federal student loan repayment plans including Standard, Extended, Graduated, IBR, ICR, Income-Sensitive, PAYE, and REPAYE.

You download a free campus tour checklist and list of questions to ask colleges on the Gradmetrics website. All you have to do is check out our recent post on campus tours: https://gradmetrics.com/admissions/campus-tours/ 

Campus tours have practical utility for students looking to choose one college over another. Visiting a campus helps gauge "fit" outside of the answers to predetermined questions like "Should I attend  a public or private school?", "Does XYZ University have my major?", or "Does this school have a good football team?" I've heard of students falling in love with a college based on information provided on the  school's website and brochures, only to refuse to get out of the car when they actually visit campus. Yes, this actually happens. Not that I blame the colleges or the students; those marketing materials  paint the college in the best possible light, while hiding all the flaws.

Saving for college is top of mind for most families focused on improving their child’s future prospects. At the same time families are convinced  sending their child to college is in his or her best interest, college  costs have risen 1,120% in the last 30 years. Realizing this reality, most families experience three negative feelings: price shock, anxiety regarding inadequate cash flow for saving, and frustration in a general lack of solid guidance on how to move forward. Luckily, there is an easy  way to start that doesn’t involve saving a dime. In fact, it's the most important part of the process. That’s right, there’s a step before  saving that's incredibly important. It’s creating your college funding  strategy.

Summer activities and camps can be powerful tools in the selective admissions game. Why? Because colleges look at a student’s talents and  abilities when filling for spots for the coming freshman class. Attending the right summer camp or activity can make a huge difference in distinguishing your child’s perceived talent in a specific area. It’s simply one more thing on the resume that makes your student stand out in the pack.

Months after submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), families sit down to review financial aid letters. Shortly thereafter, the stress begins to build as families start to think about federal student loans. The names listed on the financial aid letter are frustratingly non-descriptive: Parent PLUS, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized. It’s hard to know where to start. What types of loans are offered, and what are the related benefits for undergraduate students?

The government response to COVID-19 presents a major opportunity for holders of federal student loan debt. Several government actions, including the recent CARES Act, have produced the positive outcomes of suspension of loan payments, stopped collections on defaulted loans, and instituting a 0% interest rate. Currently these initiatives are available for many federal student loans through Sept. 30, 2021. Borrowers are asking – what does this mean for me?

Read the blog post at gradmetrics.com: https://gradmetrics.com/student-loans/student-loans-a-moment-of-opportunity/

The Department of Education FAQ page: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

Disclaimer: Gradmetrics LLC is a college planning company and does not claim to provide financial advice on investment products. Refinancing federal loans causes the borrower to lose access to income-based repayment plans as well as other incentive programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Gradmetrics LLC is not a debt settlement or debt relief company. We do not provide tax or legal advice.

A common question for families revolves around how the average American  family actually pays for college. Does the average family pay  out-of-pocket, pile up debt, or pull from retirement? Luckily, we don’t  have to guess the answer to this question. Sallie Mae, a leading student  loan provider in the United States – publishes research on this very  topic on an annual basis.

You might have heard big changes are coming to the FAFSA with the Consolidated Appropriations Act. If you have a student going to college  starting with the 2023-24 school year (i.e. filling out the FAFSA starting October 2022), this is very important information to understand.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid - otherwise known as the FAFSA - can be daunting for families. This episode breaks down the major sections of the FAFSA, and hints at big changes to come.