Financial Literacy

Tip of the Week Breaking News – FAFSA Central to feature latest updates Anyone interested in what’s happening with the FAFSA now has a new virtual “woodstove” of sorts to gather around and get the latest news. The Department of Education recently launched FAFSA Central, a hub for regular updates for the community about the […]

Tip of the Week 2026-27 FAFSA available in beta testing for some applicants Some students will have an opportunity to complete the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early. Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the 2026-27 FAFSA is currently open to a limited number of students and contributors in their early testing

Tip of the Week Department of Education seeking emergency approval for updates to the 2026-27 FAFSA The Department of Education is calling for emergency action to ensure a timely release of the 2026-27 FAFSA. In a Federal Register Notice published on July 29, the Department of Education is requesting emergency processing and Office of Budget

Tip of the Week Borrowing Parent Loans – 2026 and beyond It’s hard to find an equilibrium. When it comes to Parent PLUS Loans, the ability of parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid, meant students could attend any college where they were admitted. But it also meant parents

Tip of the Week Something to cry over Keep the tissue box handy. Sure, you have it there for the students who come in your office. But you might have been the one needing it this summer as news broke about all the changes that will impact higher education. So, if this summer (or maybe

Tip of the Week Summary of Budget Reconciliation Changes for Students and Parents When it comes to paying for college, many students and parents face uncertainty. Will there be enough money and is this college the right decision? Along with those questions, throw in some future changes with the budget reconciliation bill and it could

Tip of the Week Fireworks and financial aid Working in financial aid – or in some aspect of education – can sometimes feel like a fireworks display. Sometimes exciting and sometimes scary. There are days when a co-worker or student says or does something that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world

Tip of the Week More steps toward simplification planned for the 2026-27 FAFSA Although many of the major stumbling blocks with the simplified FAFSA have been overcome, there have been a few remaining issues for students and parents. The Department of Education has now announced plans to fix two of those issues involving the identity

Tip of the Week Updated interest rate information available on Mapping Your Future website July is just around the corner and that means new student loan borrowers will see slightly lower interest rates starting July 1. To help your students know the upcoming July 1 interest rates, Mapping Your Future staff recently updated several references

Tip of the Week It’s a juggling act Watching someone juggle is fascinating. Recently, I attended an event where the presenter juggled during a portion of his presentation. I was in awe as to how he maintained his concentration in keeping the various objects in the air while talking. Obviously, he had lots of practice.