Fund Your Future

APR vs. APY: Know the Difference

If you’ve ever applied for financing or opened a savings account, you’ve probably seen the terms Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and Annual Percentage Yield (APY). So, what do they mean? And how do they differ from one another? Put simply, APR communicates the cost of borrowing money, while APY expresses [...]

APR vs. APY: Know the Difference2023-05-15T11:05:20-04:00

The Top 4 Best Ways to Pay for College – How to Fill the Funding Gap

Let’s face it – no one is accepted to college and thinks, “I can’t wait to pay my tuition bill!” College is a big investment, which is why it’s important to know your options, plan ahead, and choose wisely when paying for it. Remember: filling out the Free Application for [...]

The Top 4 Best Ways to Pay for College – How to Fill the Funding Gap2023-05-15T16:33:44-04:00

Federal Direct PLUS vs. Private Loans – Know the Difference

If you’ve exhausted scholarships, grants, and Federal Direct Loans to cover college costs and are still left with funding gaps, you might be considering Federal Direct PLUS or private student loans. There are some key differences between the two loan types that are important to understand. What to Know About [...]

Federal Direct PLUS vs. Private Loans – Know the Difference2023-04-26T16:45:02-04:00

How To Check Your Credit Score for Free and Other Tips

Your credit score, usually a number between 300 and 850, summarizes how responsibly you’ve paid your bills and managed credit in the past. Lenders, landlords, employers, and insurers may look at your credit score when reviewing your applications, as having a high credit score (and better credit history) typically makes [...]

How To Check Your Credit Score for Free and Other Tips2023-04-21T16:37:21-04:00

What is Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?

There is a lot of confusing language (and plenty of acronyms) when it comes to paying for college and financial aid. You may be surprised to know that "expected family contribution" or "EFC" is not necessarily the amount of money your family will actually end up paying your college. So [...]

What is Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?2023-04-12T06:44:27-04:00

Deciphering Financial Aid Award Letters

You’ve received your college acceptance letters – congratulations! If you’ve been accepted to multiple schools, one of the biggest determining factors for your final choice may be the out of pocket cost for each option. Along with your acceptance letters, you should receive an award letter outlining the financial aid [...]

Deciphering Financial Aid Award Letters2023-04-12T06:27:16-04:00

Webinar: Understanding How to Pay for College

Thursday, April 20, 2023 Understanding financial aid and determining how to pay for college can be stressful. From receiving award letters to securing student loans, the information – and the total amount you need to cover – can seem overwhelming. If you’re not sure [...]

Webinar: Understanding How to Pay for College2023-04-12T06:27:16-04:00

Will Refinancing My Student Loans Lower My Payments?

If you’ve done research to try to lower your monthly student loan payments, you’ve undoubtedly come across the option to refinance them. It may sound like a complicated process, but don’t be intimidated; it’s much simpler than you might think and can potentially save you a significant amount of money [...]

Will Refinancing My Student Loans Lower My Payments?2023-04-12T06:27:17-04:00