Living in a Van Was the Best Financial Decision I Ever Made
Most people would consider living in a van an embarrassment, but Ken Ilungas just views it as a smart choice that let him get his graduate degree while staying debt free.
student loans
How to Pay Off Student Loans When You're Totally Out of Luck
Maybe you're out of a job, aren't earning enough, or simply don't know where to begin. What do you do if you can't pay back your student loans? Here's a guide:
Student Loan Interest Rate Set to Double: How You Can Prepare
Unless the government acts soon, rates on subsidized student loans will double as of July 1, putting further pressure on America's next wave of college students.
In the Student Loan Battle, Neither Plan's a Win for Borrowers
As President Obama takes aim at Congress' student loan proposal, it becomes clear that neither side is offering a flawless plan.
3 Smart Alternatives to 529 Plans to Help Pay for College
Many parents don't realize that there are alternatives to 529 plans that can often produce even better results for those looking to make the most of their college savings.
House Bill Would Peg Student Loan Rates to Financial Markets
House lawmakers are ready to pass legislation that links student loan rates to the financial markets in spite of a veto threat from President Barack Obama.
Want to Refinance Your Student Loans? The CFPB Wants to Help
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to help people struggling with heavy student loan debt get the same kind of ability to refinance that mortgage-holders have.
How I Squandered My Inheritance at Age 18
Lyn Roman inherited a small trust fund, and spent it all in a year. But the lessons she learned from her mistakes, and how she bounced back from them, have been priceless.
5 New Rules on Federal Student Loans
Interest on popular loans will cost more, and grad students will need better credit, but repayment plans will be more generous.
5 Ways to Keep College Dreams from Becoming Money Nightmares
If your dream idea of college is equal parts prestige degree and "Van Wilder," wake up to fiscal reality: Here are a few dreams you could sacrifice to keep the costs in check.
The Best Graduation Gift of All: Money Skills for Life
Solving your childrens' financial problems may seem the right thing to do, but instilling the confidence to solve their own issues helps them to face their own roadblocks.
13 Colleges That Aren't Worth the Money
Is getting a bachelor's degree still worth the cost? If you plan to attend these 13 college and universities, the answer is probably not.
Public vs. Private Student Loans: Why the Differences Matter
College acceptance season is here, which also means it's time to think about how to pay for it. Student loans are practically a must, but there are big differences among them.
Monday Memo: This Week on the Saving Channel
Sodas, student loans, and post-grad options: Here's a look at this week's money-saving topics on the DailyFinance Saving Channel.
The Huge Costs of Student Loan Debt
Student debt in the U.S. exceeds $1 trillion. That doesn't just spell trouble for graduates--it has serious consequences for all of us. DailyFinance's Bruce Watson explains.
5 Practical Money Tips for New Grads
Beyond the usual platitudes and cliches, commencement speakers should consider giving their audiences of eager graduates these five crucial pieces of advice.
How to Decipher Your College Financial Aid Letter
Feel like you need a bachelor's degree in Bureaucracy to figure out your financial aid letter? Here are our Cliffs' Notes for parsing that important but impenetrable document.
Hidden Trap in Obama's Proposed Student Loan Debt 'Remedy'
As controversy grows around President Obama's latest student loan relief proposal, one fact is becoming clear: Most former students won't get much relief from it.
Monday Memo: This Week on the Saving Channel
Museums, student loans, and green fast food: a look at this week's money-saving topics on the DailyFinance Saving Channel.
Will Echo Boomers Save the Economy? Don't Count on It
Some economists predict that Echo Boomers will save America's economic future: They're well-educated, optimistic and young. But there are big obstacles standing in their way.
How Colleges May Be Helping Banks Rob Their Students
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has reason to believe colleges are letting their students get snookered by the banks the schools partner with, and it has launched an inquiry.
Tax Law Changes You Need to Know About for 2013
Just because the IRS is left scrambling to catch up with the fiscal cliff tax regulations shouldn't stop you from preparing your income tax return. Here are some important changes to the tax code to help you get started.
Debt Collectors Infiltrate Facebook to Track Down Delinquent Borrowers
Debt collectors have time and again proven to be ruthless in tracking down delinquent borrowers, so perhaps it was only a matter of time before social media became their go-to hunting grounds.
U.S. Consumer Debt Rises on More Car, School Loans
U.S. consumers borrowed more in November to buy cars and attend school, but stayed cautious with their credit cards. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that consumers increased their borrowing in November by $16 billion from October to a seasonally adjusted record of $2.77 trillion.
U.S. Consumer Borrowing Rises to Record $2.75 Trillion
Americans swiped their credit cards more often in October and borrowed more to attend school and buy cars. The increases drove U.S. consumer debt to an all-time high. The Federal Reserve said Friday that consumers increased their borrowing by $14.2 billion in October from September. Total borrowing rose to a record $2.75 trillion.
A Better Source for College Loans May Be Just Around the Corner
It can be tough to find the money to pay for college, and the federal government's flexible, low-interest student loans often aren't enough. In the past, that has only left the option of private loans, with painfully higher rates. But now, hundreds of community groups are getting into the action.
The Top 10 Most Depressing Student Loan Stories
With total student loan debt long past the $1 billion mark, activists are doing all they can to put as many faces on the crisis as possible. Their mission is simple: To convince Congress student loan debt should be dischargeable through personal bankruptcy.
Financially on Track by 30? For Too Many, It's a Pipe Dream
By the time we hit the big 3-0, we expect our lives will be on track: Careers under way, finances under control, and perhaps even a partner to share the journey with. But the downturn has knocked millions of early 30-somethings off the track they expected to follow.
3 Creative Ways to Save More for Your Child's College Education
Kids born today will need an average of nearly $250,000 for college -- and that's a lot of saving for parents to do. But there are ways beyond the obvious 529 plans and Coverdell accounts to bump up your savings -- and some require no sacrifices, nor any extra money out of your pocket.