Financial Aid
Asset Shifting as a Financial Aid Strategy
Is Asset Shifting a feasible financial aid strategy when it comes to your son or daughter’s college education? Although it’s not used frequently, in some situations this can be a valuable strategy. Asset Shifting is when you move liquid assets around to increase your need-based eligibility. There are a few steps you need to take…
How to Get an Athletic Scholarship
Does your student have athletic ability? Do you think he or she might have a chance at an athletic scholarship? If so, it’s extremely important to do your homework. Here are 7 tips to find out if an athletic scholarship is right for your child: Start early. The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) eligibility rules begin…
November 2011: When to Complete College Applications
Greetings! Is your senior finishing up his or her College Applications? It’s best to have them submitted before the Thanksgiving break, so help your child stay on track! Find out why this is so important in the “Senior Scoop” below, and keep reading to find out which college degrees are most marketable in today’s economy…
529 Plan Basics: Pros, Cons and Strategies
One strategy that many families use to save for college is to invest in a 529 plan. What is it? A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future college costs. 529 plans, legally known as “qualified tuition plans,” are sponsored by states, state agencies or educational institutions and are…
Top 8 Financial Aid Planning Tips
We all know college can be expensive. How can you begin preparing for your child’s education now? Texas A&M University offers a lot of great financial aid planning tips for parents on their site. Here are 8 of my favorites: Create a college savings plan. Your greatest asset is time. The sooner you start saving…
Federal Student Loan Default Rates: What You Need to Know
It’s no secret this is a tough economy for recent college graduates. Jobs are scarce and tuition costs are high. In fact, according to the Department of Education (ED) federal student loan default rates climbed to 8.8 percent in 2009, the most recent year for which data is available. This marks the fourth year in…