Tip of the Week

Selecting a student loan repayment plan It seems that everyone should know by now. For months, we’ve been hearing about the end of the SAVE Plan and the need for borrowers to choose a new repayment plan. But even many of us working in financial aid have to check the details when someone asks about […]

Down Time in Financial Aid The cuckoo clock hung in my family’s den, and it served our family well. The clock told us the time and provided many hours of enjoyment with its music and “cu-ckoo” sound. However, the clock was also a sensitive timepiece that regularly needed maintenance to keep working. So, every year,

The real reason to celebrate Memorial Day weekend It can be difficult to enjoy something if you know it has come about because of the sacrifice of someone else. That’s why Memorial Day weekend has always been a paradox of sorts for me. Like many people, I’ve looked forward to the holiday every year. It’s

Cultivating your graduates Graduation is the time for new beginnings for students. Many are ready to walk into their new careers, while others may pursue additional education. As colleges host graduation ceremonies, it doesn’t mean it is the end of the relationship you built with your students. Many of these graduates may be student loan

Getting ready for the 2027-28 FAFSA Financial aid professionals are talented at juggling several tasks at the same time – like dealing with multiple award years. As the 2025-26 award year winds down, the 2027-28 award year seems to be in the distant future. After all, we still have the 2026-27 award year ahead of

Planning for 2026-27 When we see darkly – when we don’t have enough information – making a decision and moving forward with our lives is difficult. If you’ve ever faced a life-altering or even a small decision you know how stressful it can be. Maybe you want to please someone else. Maybe you are afraid

Rough going in the implementation of new financial aid rules The ripples spreading through the waters are quickly becoming waves threatening to overwhelm both professionals and students alike. It may seem dramatic to characterize the changes under OB3 in such terms. However, what makes sense on the surface gets more complicated with implementation. The combination

Two factors for a successful financial future A good education and no debt – two factors that ensure young adults start their future off on the right foot financially. Because it’s financial literacy month and because the FAFSA is a critical first step to pursuing postsecondary education, students and parents should know it is not

Communicating with borrowers about the defunct SAVE Plan Even for those of us who live and breathe financial aid, it’s hard to keep up with what’s going on with student loans. There are just too many moving parts, and the facts on one day can be absolutely wrong the next day. And yet, it’s critical

Financial pressure on Gen Z and their parents  It’s tough to talk about money. That may be the reason that so many Gen Z’s are relying on social media for financial guidance. A Wells Fargo study released earlier this week reveals that Gen Z (which includes teenagers, college students and recent graduates ages 14-29) are