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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

BIG Ideas: Not having money saved for college can make your college journey a little more challenging,...
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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!

BIG Ideas: Comparing programs and the net cost of schools can help make your college decision easier....
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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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The Pros and Cons of MBA Student Loan Refinance

BIG Ideas: You can consolidate multiple federal and private loans into one private loan by refinancing your...
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Lessons in Financial Adulting

BIG Ideas: Having a budget can help ensure you have the money you need to reach your...
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13 College Search Tips for Juniors and Seniors

BIG Ideas: Before applying to schools, think about your interests, the cost of schools, and specific academic...
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Is Now the Time to Refinance?

BIG Ideas: If refinance rates are lower than the interest rate you are currently paying on your...
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Choosing the Right Student Loan Repayment Option

The BIG Ideas: When you apply for private loans, you can choose from several repayment plans. Because...
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My Credit Score is Low. What Do I Do Now?

BIG Ideas: Credit scores are numerical calculations that predict the likelihood that you’ll pay back loans on...
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Kick Start Your College Financial Planning

BIG Ideas: Early financial planning for college can help parents and students better manage the rising cost...
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Do’s and Don’ts for Finding the Right College

BIG Ideas: Creating a college list can help make it easier to find the school that’s right...
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College Money Myths and Facts

BIG Ideas: Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can make college possible and more affordable. Having a college...
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Start Saving for Retirement

BIG Ideas: Saving for retirement early in your career can help you accumulate assets faster. Plan to...
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Top Tips for Refinancing Student Loans

BIG Ideas: When you refinance, you consolidate your student loans into a single loan with a private...
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Start a Side Hustle in College

BIG Ideas: Having a side hustle in college could give you the extra income and flexibility you...
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Guide to College Planning: Milestones for Seniors

BIG Ideas: Start the school year by taking SATs/ACTs and making your list of colleges. Complete the...
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Is College Worth the Investment?

BIG Ideas: A college education can lead to better career opportunities, higher earning potential, and increased job...
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Must-Have Items for Your Freshman Year

BIG Ideas: Packing for college can be overwhelming, but having a plan can help. In addition to...
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Parents – Get Ready for the College Journey

BIG Ideas: In college, your child will be on a path of self-discovery, uncovering new interests, challenges,...
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How Do Families Handle “Unmet” Need?

BIG Ideas: The total cost of college is often underestimated, leaving families with unmet financial needs. Credit...
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The Tuition Bill Is Here! Now What Do I Do?

BIG Ideas: Tuition bills arrive in July for the fall semester and December for the spring semester....
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Student Loan Smarts: Choose the Right Loan Option

BIG Ideas: Federal and private loans can provide the money students and parents need to pay for...
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Are Parent Loans Right for Your Family?

BIG Ideas: Parent loans can help families bridge the gap between the Cost of Attendance for college...
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Federal or Private Loan: What’s the Difference?

BIG Ideas: When managing the cost of college, it’s smart to pursue “free money” – like grants,...
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Going Up! Parent PLUS Rates Rise to 9.08%

BIG Ideas: Parent PLUS loans are offered by the federal government to help parents of undergraduate students...
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8 Smart Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

BIG Ideas: Having a strong credit score can help you qualify for loans, get the best rate...
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Math Mystery Solved: What Is a Debt-to-Income Ratio?

BIG Ideas: A debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is a calculation that lenders use to determine whether you can...
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Financially Prepare for College This Summer

BIG Ideas: One of the most important relationships you can build during college is your relationship with...
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Senior Year Parent’s Guide: Get Ready for Takeoff!

A Senior Year Parental Guide to Get Ready for the College Journey BIG Ideas: The college journey...
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7 Smart Ways to Pay for College Expenses

BIG Ideas: Families use savings and income to pay for college. A college 529 savings plan offers...
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True Confessions of a Helicopter Mom

BIG Ideas: Senior year can be a very busy and highly emotional time for students and parents....
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Financial Terms You Should Know

BIG Ideas: Managing money requires knowledge, including familiarity with common financial terms. Creating a budget that tracks...
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Do’s and Don’ts of Your Financial Life

BIG Ideas: Money is an important part of our lives, yet many people are afraid to talk...
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Write a Winning Financial Aid Appeal Letter

BIG Ideas: Writing a financial support letter appeal letter for college can be a smart move if...
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How to Start Building Credit

BIG Ideas: Building credit as a college student can help you reach your goals later in life,...
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8 Ways to Reduce College Costs

BIG Ideas: Having a good credit score or a co-signer with a good one can make it...
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Admitted to Your Dream School? Now What?

BIG Ideas: College is expensive! Making a pros and cons list could help you find the “dream”...
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What’s the Difference Between a Debit and Credit Card?

BIG Ideas: Though student debit cards and student credit cards offer fast and easy ways to pay...
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It’s Time to Have the Student Loan Money Talk

BIG Ideas: Many college graduates experience debt regret – when the student loans they owe impact their...
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What is College Decision Day? Making the Right Decision – For You!

BIG Ideas: When accepted to several different schools, consider factors like finances, location, and majors available. Think...
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The Best Budgeting Apps For Students

BIG Ideas: It’s easy to lose track of your money when you’re busy at school, but there...
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Smart Ways to Manage a Student Credit Card

BIG Ideas: Student credit cards can help you establish a credit history, reduce fraud when making purchases,...
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Get in the Habit of Saving Now

BIG Ideas: Saving money is a life skill that can lead to financial security, independence, and success....
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Budgeting 101

BIG Ideas: College budgeting will help ensure you don’t overspend and reach your goals later in life....
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Making Sense of Financial Aid Award Letters

When you apply and get accepted to college, you will be asked to complete the Free Application...
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You Can Make Extra Money in College

BIG Ideas: The first step to financial independence starts with earning your own money. With a little...
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Get to Know STEM Scholarships for Women

BIG Ideas: Women are less likely to choose a STEM major, which offers the best return on...
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6 Helpful Scholarship Tips to Get You Money

BIG Ideas: Scholarships and grants are a great way to help you pay for college, especially since...
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Complete the FAFSA Now

BIG Ideas: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could help you get federal aid to...
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10 Ways to Find Scholarships and Grants for College

BIG Ideas: Free money, like scholarships and grants offered by organizations, schools, and the federal government, is...
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FAFSA 2024 – 2025 Revisions: What They Mean to You

BIG Ideas: The Department of Education is changing the 2024 - 2025 FAFSA application to make it...
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How to Lower Your Debt After College

BIG Ideas: According to the Education Data Initiative, the total average student loan debt may be as...
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15 Money Mistakes College Students Make

BIG Ideas: Managing money is an important skill needed throughout your life and can lead to long-term...
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How to Pay for Vet School

BIG Ideas: Vet school is a big investment with four-year tuition costs ranging from $78,479 - $155,295...
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Should I Refinance My Vet School Loans?

BIG Ideas: The average student debt for the graduating veterinary class of 2022 with debt was $179.5k....
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How to Get into Vet School

BIG Ideas: Becoming a veterinarian will allow you to turn your passion for animals into a rewarding...
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Get Ready for the Real World

BIG Ideas: The key to financial success starts with creating and managing a monthly budget. If you...
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What to Do When Bank of Mom and Dad Closes

BIG Ideas: Create a monthly budget to ensure you have enough income to meet your monthly expenses....
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How To Get a Student Loan Without Your Parents’ Support

Big Ideas: You have two loan options for financing college: federal loans from the government and private...
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Are Private Loans a Good Idea to Pay for Medical School

Big Ideas: The cost to become a doctor or nurse practitioner can exceed $200,000. Private loans, which...
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Should I Borrow Money to Get an MBA?

BIG Ideas: An MBA is a huge investment of time and money that can pay off since...
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Get Ready for the 2023 – 2024 FAFSA

BIG Ideas: Be mindful of FAFSA deadlines as your state’s deadline may differ from the federal deadline....
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What’s Income-Driven Repayment on Federal Student Loans?

BIG Ideas: An income-driven repayment program could be a great option if you’re struggling to pay back...
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Lessons in How to Pay for Law School

BIG Ideas: Law school provides extensive career options in private practice or public service. Consider the costs...
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How to Finance That Advanced Degree in Health

BIG Ideas: Not all health professions require you to attend medical school, but many require an advanced...
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How to Pay for Grad School on Your Own

BIG Ideas: Graduate school can be a great way to advance your skills, pursue a professional specialty,...
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Avoiding Student Loan Debt Regret

BIG Ideas: Student loan debt is a reality for many graduates but a degree is still a...
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What Expenses Do Student Loans Cover?

BIG Ideas: Private education loans are credit-based loans offered by private lenders to help fill the gap...
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Coming in Hot: Be Prepared for FAFSA® Deadlines

BIG Ideas: To get help financing college, you need to fill out your Free Application for Financial...
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How Do I Know if I Need a Co-Signer?

BIG Ideas: A co-signer may not only help you qualify for a private loan; but also, could...
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