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What Factors Affect Whether You Can Refinance Your Student Loan After College?

BIG Ideas: Refinancing student loans involves replacing your federal and/or private student loans with one loan from...
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How to Make Graduate School Affordable

BIG Ideas: Before you move forward with your graduate school plans, make sure you understand all the...
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Can You Change Student Loan Repayment Plans?

BIG Ideas: Changes in your income or expenses may prompt you to review your student loan repayment...
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Comparing Federal, Nonprofit, and For-Profit Student Loans

BIG Ideas: There are three main types of student loans: federal student loans offered by the U.S....
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Can You Have More Than One Cosigner?

BIG Ideas: Most private lenders allow only one student loan cosigner per loan application. Student loan cosigners...
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What Parents Should Know When Comparing Student Loans

BIG Ideas: Understanding the differences between federal and private loans can help you and your child make...
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Student Loan Eligibility: Private and Federal Loans

BIG Ideas: Student loan eligibility varies by lender and loan type, so it’s important to understand your...
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Top Private Student Loan Questions Answered

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: Private student loans can help cover the gap between financial...
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Financial Aid Tips for High School Seniors

BIG Ideas: Financial aid can significantly lower the net cost of college and reduce the amount of...
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What the Elimination of Grad PLUS Loans Means for Graduate Students

BIG Ideas: On July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans will be eliminated for new graduate and professional...
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Smart Ways to Save Money As a College Student

BIG Ideas: Keeping a budget will help you track your spending and ensure you have the money...
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First-Time Student Loan Borrower Mistakes to Avoid

BIG Ideas: Understanding college costs and creating a budget can help you avoid overborrowing. Even if you’re...
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The Best Alternatives for Grad PLUS Loans for Graduate Students

BIG Ideas: Grad PLUS loans are ending for new borrowers in July 2026 under the One Big...
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What’s Changing with Grad PLUS Loans in 2026?

BIG Ideas: As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, July 1, 2026, will mark...
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Average College Costs: What Students Can Expect

BIG Ideas: There’s more to college costs than just tuition, including room and board, books, and other...
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FAFSA Tips: 10 Ways to Increase Your Financial Aid Eligibility

BIG Ideas: Submitting the FAFSA early can boost your chances of receiving financial aid. Understanding how income,...
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Can You Edit Your FAFSA After Submitting? What You Need to Know

BIG Ideas: Knowing how to correct FAFSA form errors after submission can help you avoid delays in...
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The Ultimate College Expenses Checklist for Future Students

BIG Ideas: Tuition and housing are the largest college expenses, but smaller student expenses can add up...
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How Much Do College Textbooks and Supplies Cost

BIG Ideas: College textbooks and supplies are ongoing expenses that can quickly add up during your college...
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How Long Does It Take to Be Approved for a Student Loan?

BIG Ideas: The timeline for student loan approval depends on the type of loan (federal or private)...
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Can You Pay Your Student Loans with a Credit Card?

BIG Ideas: Federal student loan payments can’t be paid directly with a credit card, but there is...
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How Much Does Law School Really Cost?

BIG Ideas: Law school costs, which include tuition, housing, and fees, can add up quickly. Taking time...
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How Expensive is Dental School? Breaking Down the Costs

BIG Ideas: Dental school typically takes about eight years and can cost up to $400,000 with tuition,...
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Should Parents Be Responsible for Paying for College?

BIG Ideas: Contributing to your child’s college education should never come at the expense of your own...
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Paying for College: Costly Mistakes to Avoid

BIG Ideas: College is a major investment that requires thoughtful financial planning. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants...
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Earn While You Learn: Jobs That Pay for College

BIG Ideas: Earning extra money in school can help you manage costs and make the most of...
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Essential Must-Have Items for College Students

BIG Ideas: College is a rare opportunity to build independence and discover who you are. Packing the...
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How to Stay Organized and Manage Your Time in College

BIG Ideas: Managing your time in college helps reduce stress and boost focus so you can be...
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Why Refinancing Student Loans Benefits Professionals

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: Student loan refinancing can lower your interest rate and monthly...
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How Much Can You Save By Refinancing Student Loans?

BIG Ideas: If you have high student loan balances and interest rates, refinancing could help you lower...
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Financial Lessons Learned When Paying for College

BIG Ideas: Make sure you know all the costs of college beyond tuition, such as room and...
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Empowering College-Bound Teens to Build Financial Independence

Last Updated: June 29, 2026 BIG Ideas: Talking openly about money and college costs helps teens understand...
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Where Do You Pay Your Student Loans?

BIG Ideas: Making on-time payments on your student loans can help you build the credit history you’ll...
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Ways Parents Can Pay For Their Kids’ College

BIG Ideas: The cost of college has increased by more than 90% over the past two decades....
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Planning for the Hidden Costs of College

BIG Ideas: Some of the hidden costs of college include books/course materials, health care, entertainment, transportation, technology,...
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Refinancing Your Student Loans Without a Degree

BIG Ideas: Refinancing could help you lower your interest rate and the amount you’ll have to pay...
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Why, When, and How to File for the 2026-2027 FAFSA

BIG Ideas: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used to determine your eligibility for...
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How to Plan for College Expenses

BIG Ideas: The cost of college includes tuition, room and board, meal plans, and other costs like...
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How Much Should You Borrow for a College Degree?

BIG Ideas: With the high cost of college today, many students rely on student loans to fund...
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How to Minimize Student Loan Debt

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: The average total student loan balance in America today is...
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Smart Strategies to Pay for College

BIG Ideas: 529 savings plans offer many benefits for college savings, including tax-deferred growth, tax-free withdrawals, and...
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Budgeting After College: Essential Tips for New Graduates

BIG Ideas: A monthly budget can help you meet your bills, save for planned and unplanned expenses,...
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Should You Refinance Graduate Loans?

BIG Ideas: You can refinance federal and private undergraduate and graduate loans into one single loan. Refinancing...
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Should You Consolidate Student Loans?

BIG Ideas: With student loan consolidation, you can combine multiple federal loans into one loan with one...
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Deciphering Student Loan Refinance Rates

BIG Ideas: Refinancing student loans could help you lower your monthly payment, reduce the interest you pay...
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When Do Student Loans Start Accruing Interest

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: There are two types of student loans: federal loans from...
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Student Loans for Pharmacy School

BIG Ideas: A career in pharmacy requires a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which will be a significant...
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What Can Student Loans Be Used For?

BIG Ideas:  Federal and private loans can be used to pay for the cost of attending college....
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Ways to Boost Your Resume for College Admissions

Last Updated: June 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: A resume summarizes your academic accomplishments, work experience, skills, and...
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What Affects Your Total Student Loan Cost?

BIG Ideas: The type of interest rate, length of loan term, and amount borrowed all affect your...
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How to Pay Off Parent PLUS Loans Faster

BIG Ideas: A Parent PLUS Loan is a federal loan that allows parents to borrow money to...
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How Much Student Loan Debt Is Too Much?

BIG Ideas: Excessive student debt can make it difficult to manage a monthly budget, pay your bills,...
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Does SAT Prep Really Help?

BIG Ideas: Many top universities require SAT scores as part of the admissions process. A strong SAT...
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How Does School Certification Work?

BIG Ideas: School certification is when the college you plan to attend verifies your eligibility for the...
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Parent PLUS Loan Rates for 2026: What Parents Need to Know

Last Updated: June 29, 2026 BIG Ideas: Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans offered by the Department...
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How to Pay Out of State Tuition

Last Updated: August 21, 2025 BIG Ideas:  Out of state tuition at public universities for non-residents is...
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Tips for Applying for An Auto Loan

BIG Ideas: Before looking at cars, determine your monthly budget and any funds you may have for...
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Mistakes to Avoid When Refinancing Student Loans

BIG Ideas: When you refinance your student loans, you may be replacing federal student loans with private...
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Student Loan Limits: How Much Can You Borrow?

BIG Ideas: Federal loans are loans from the government, while private loans are loans offered by private...
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Understanding PLUS Loans: What Parents Need to Know Before Borrowing

BIG Ideas: A Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a federal unsubsidized student loan that helps...
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Common Mistakes When Borrowing Undergraduate Student Loans

Last Updated: July 17, 2025 BIG Ideas: Borrowing more than you need for college could cause you...
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How to Manage Undergraduate Student Loans Before Grad School

Last Updated: May 14, 2026 BIG Ideas: If you enroll in a graduate program at least half-time,...
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Do Student Loans Affect My Credit Score?

BIG Ideas: A credit score is a numerical calculation that lenders use to determine how likely you...
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High School Senior College Prep Checklist

BIG Ideas: College is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your lifetime.  Keeping up...
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How to Manage College Costs for Multiple Kids

BIG Ideas: College is a big investment but can help your children increase their learning potential and...
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How Does Student Loan Interest Work?

BIG Ideas: Interest is essentially the cost of borrowing money. With fixed-rate interest, your rate or payment...
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High School Graduation Gift Guide

BIG Ideas: High school graduation is a huge time in a student’s life as they begin the...
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Who Is Eligible for Student Loans?

BIG Ideas: Eligibility requirements vary for federal and private student loans. Some federal loans – like subsidized...
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How to Pay for Summer Classes

BIG Ideas:  Attending classes over the summer can help you make up credit or get ahead to...
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Budget Busters

BIG Ideas: A budget can help you meet your monthly bills and prepare for unexpected expenses. Making...
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How to Find a Co-Signer

BIG Ideas: A co-signer is someone who agrees to share responsibility for a loan with you. When...
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Important Steps Before Applying for a Private Student Loan

BIG Ideas: You may need a private loan to help bridge the gap between financial aid, savings...
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How Much Does College Cost?

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 BIG Ideas: Your cost of college depends on the type of school...
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When Do You Have to Start Paying Back Your Student Loans?

BIG Ideas: Paying back student loans on time can help you build the credit score you need...
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Questions to Ask Before You Apply for a Loan

BIG Ideas: Borrowing less and having a shorter loan term can help you reduce interest fees and...
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How Often Can You Refinance Student Loans?

 BIG Ideas: Refinancing allows you to replace or other private student loans with a single, new private...
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When’s the Right Time to Apply for a Student Loan?

Last Updated: September 30, 2025 BIG Ideas: Start the process of applying for student loans by researching...
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5 Must Knows About Managing Money

Last Updated: September 30, 2025 BIG Ideas: Not having enough money to meet your monthly or unexpected...
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What Students Wish Parents Knew About College Admissions…And How You Can Support Them!

BIG Ideas: The admissions process has changed dramatically over the years, as schools now consider other factors...
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11 Things to Think About Before Getting a Student Loan

Last Updated: January 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: Before applying for a student loan, review alternate options like...
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Are There Advantages to Making Student Loan Payments While in School?

BIG Ideas: You can repay your student loan while in school or wait until after graduation.  Interest...
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Deciphering the Details: Student Loan Terms You Should Know

Last Updated: January 30, 2026 BIG Ideas: Whether you’re just starting your college journey or have graduated,...
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Student Loans 101: What to Know Before Borrowing

BIG Ideas: There are two types of student loans – federal loans (available from the government) and...
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Paying for College with Little To No Savings

Last Updated: May 7, 2026 BIG Ideas: Not having money saved for college can make your journey...
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Should I Refinance Student Loan Debt with a Co-Signer?

BIG Ideas:  Having a co-signer when refinancing your student loans could help you qualify for a lower...
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Get Ahead of The Class: Tips for Preparing for The 2025–2026 FAFSA

BIG Ideas: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 school year will be...
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6 Must Ask Questions Before Refinancing Your Student Loans

BIG Ideas: Refinancing allows you to pay off higher-interest federal and private student loans with a new...
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College Acceptance Checklist: What to Do After You’re In!

Last Updated: October 15, 2025 BIG Ideas: Comparing programs and the net cost of schools can help...
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The Perfect Pick: College Student Holiday Gift Guide

BIG Ideas:  It’s time to start planning for holiday gift-giving. Gifts like appliances, blankets, and wall art...
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Interest Rates are Dropping. Should I Refinance Student Loans Now?

BIG Ideas:  Rates on student loans have dropped thanks to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut. Now...
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Smart Swiping: A Guide to Choosing the Right Credit Card

BIG Ideas: A credit card is a powerful tool that can help you manage your spending and...
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8 Practical Tips and Tricks for Studying Success

BIG Ideas: Creating a schedule, finding the study method that works for you, and studying well before...
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Can I Really Do ONE Application for Multiple Schools?

BIG Ideas: With ApplyTexas, you may be able to apply to multiple Texas colleges and universities with...
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Choosing a Career

BIG Ideas: Knowing your interests, strengths, and passions can help you choose a career that fits your...
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Matching Your Career Interest with a School

BIG Ideas: Having a field of interest can make it easier to find the right school. Other...
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How to Spot College Scholarship Scams

BIG Ideas: Scammers are targeting students and parents with promises of “free and easy” scholarship money for...
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Spending Habit Pitfalls

BIG Ideas: Having a monthly budget can help ensure you have enough money to pay your bills,...
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Saving Hacks

BIG Ideas: Make saving money easier by automating your savings with direct deposits or transfers from checking...
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Tackle Credit Card Debt

BIG Ideas: According to an article published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis in May...
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