Blog - List of Published Articles - Student Debt Diaries

Teach For America Can Help With Student Loans

March 22, 2021 Jordan RothmanRepayment Strategies

When I was in college, I worked as a summer intern at the New York City headquarters of Teach For America. As many people already know, Teach For America is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to closing the education gap in America. In essence, Teach For America coordinates teaching jobs for individuals who wish to serve as a teacher in an underserved community for a few years. Working at Teach For America can be… Continue Reading Teach For America Can Help With Student Loans

Getting Off a Waitlist

March 15, 2021 Jordan RothmanChoosing Schools

As many people already know, a waitlist is for people who have not yet been admitted to an academic program, but who may be admitted at a later date depending on enrollment numbers. Individuals on a waitlist typically have nearly the right credentials to be admitted to a program, but space is limited because spots in a program have been offered to enough people who have not yet rejected an admission offer. Getting off a… Continue Reading Getting Off a Waitlist

Attending an Online College

March 8, 2021 Jordan RothmanChoosing Schools

Students have many options about how and where they decide to pursue a college education. Traditionally, students would attend brick-and-mortar colleges, where they would have a campus experience while pursuing their studies. In recent decades, students have been able to pursue a college education completely online, and such degree programs are often much cheaper than programs at more traditional residential colleges. However, attending an online college only makes sense in certain circumstances, and everyone considering… Continue Reading Attending an Online College

Keeping Track of Your Credit Score

March 1, 2021March 1, 2021 Jordan RothmanRepayment Strategies

As most people know, a credit score is a measure of how credit-worthy credit bureaus deem you to be based on your income, debt, financial accounts, and other metrics. Individuals with student loans are often very curious to see how their credit score is performing because student loans can have an impact on your credit. I am old enough to remember when it was relatively difficult to ascertain your credit score, and it typically cost… Continue Reading Keeping Track of Your Credit Score

Building Credit During Student Debt Repayment

February 22, 2021 Jordan RothmanRepayment Strategies

Student loans can have an adverse impact on your credit score. Individuals with a substantial amount of debt may not be able to borrow additional loans since they may be deemed a credit risk who are unable to take on more debt. However, individuals paying off student loans often need to borrow money in order to pay for a car, purchase a home, or complete other transactions. So long as student debt borrowers keep certain… Continue Reading Building Credit During Student Debt Repayment

Division Three Athletes Get Financial Benefits

February 15, 2021 Jordan RothmanChoosing Schools

Scholarships are often available for college athletes that play on Division One and Division Two NCAA athletic teams. However, athletes who play on Division Three teams are often not eligible to receive athletic scholarships to play sports in college. Smaller schools typically have such athletic programs, and athletes on these teams simply play the sports for the love of the game. Nevertheless, Division Three athletes get financial benefits from participating in sports in college in… Continue Reading Division Three Athletes Get Financial Benefits

Attending Community College to Save Money

February 8, 2021 Jordan RothmanChoosing Schools

Community colleges are educational institutions that typically offer two-year degrees to students (although some may offer four-year B.A. and B.S. degrees). Community colleges usually do not have on-campus housing and may not offer the same services to students as more traditional four-year colleges. Community colleges also typically have more trade and vocational courses that are difficult to find at more traditional four-year universities. For a variety of reasons, attending community college to save money is… Continue Reading Attending Community College to Save Money

Money Saved from the Student Loan Freeze

February 1, 2021 Jordan RothmanRepayment Strategies

As many people already know, the federal government has frozen federal student loan payments to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, qualifying loans will not accrue interest until later this year. Although only certain types of borrowers are entitled to stop making payments, money saved from the student loan freeze can be devoted to a variety of purposes. Pay Down Other Debt Perhaps the most practical thing you can do with money saved… Continue Reading Money Saved from the Student Loan Freeze

Financial Aid Should Increase over Time

January 25, 2021 Jordan RothmanChoosing Schools

When I attended college, I was thrilled to obtain need-based financial aid. This assistance made it much easier for me to pay for my educational costs and reduced the amount of student debt I needed to borrow. However, financial aid should increase over time, and students should not be provided the same level of aid each year they attend school. In college, my financial aid stayed constant throughout my four years as an undergraduate. One… Continue Reading Financial Aid Should Increase over Time

Reserving On-Campus Jobs for Needy Students

January 18, 2021January 18, 2021 Jordan RothmanEarning Extra Money

Most colleges have on-campus jobs available for students wishing to make extra money while they are in school. Depending on the university, such jobs may include working in the cafeteria, the mailroom, student events, or a number of other positions. Although some jobs are explicitly designated for students who qualify for the federal work-study program, other jobs are available to all students who may apply. However, reserving on-campus jobs for needy students is an important… Continue Reading Reserving On-Campus Jobs for Needy Students