Advice for Parents

Getting Advice About Student Loans

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Repayment Strategies
Getting advice about student loans

Paying off student loans can be a lonely process. People often do not discuss student loans with their peers, so it is difficult to get advice and support from friends. In addition, the student loan challenges faced by this generation are different than the struggles faced by people who went to school decades ago. However, getting advice about student loans can be easy if you keep a few things in mind. Siblings Siblings can be… Continue Reading Getting Advice About Student Loans

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Need-Aware Admission is Unfair

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Choosing Schools
Need-Aware Admission Is Unfair

This website has mentioned in several prior articles how I was offered generous financial aid to attend college and graduate school. Indeed, I am kind of the “poster child” of college financial aid, since I received a ton of grants and other assistance that nearly covered the enitre cost of earning my college degree. When I attended my college, the school had a need-blind admission policy, meaning that a student’s ability to pay was not… Continue Reading Need-Aware Admission is Unfair

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Having Siblings Can Help with Financial Aid

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Choosing Schools
Having Siblings Can Help with Student Loans

As this website has already discussed in several prior articles, many factors are evaluated when determining if a student is eligible for financial aid. For instance, a family’s income and savings is often used to calculate how much money a family can be expected to contribute to a child’s tuition. In addition, the number of children a family has in college at the same time can also impact financial aid determinations. Since families cannot contribute… Continue Reading Having Siblings Can Help with Financial Aid

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Living in a Dorm is Worth the Money

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Saving Money
living in a dorm is worth the money

Most college students live in residence halls on campus for at least the first year or two of their studies. It is usually thought that dorm life is preferable for students starting their college careers so that they can meet people and have easy access to dining halls and other campus facilities. Of course, living on campus is often more expensive than most off-campus living options, and the amenities of on-campus living are often limited.… Continue Reading Living in a Dorm is Worth the Money

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Getting Student Loans in a Hurry

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Choosing Schools
Getting Student Loans in a Hurry

Anyone with student loans understands how the process of obtaining student debt is extremely complicated. Not only do student debt borrowers typically have to complete financial paperwork with their schools, but they have to submit paperwork with student loan lenders as well. Sometimes people need to secure student loans on short notice because they just got admitted to a program or their circumstances change. However, if you keep a few things in mind, getting student… Continue Reading Getting Student Loans in a Hurry

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Wealthy People Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About Student Debt

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Choosing Schools
Wealthy People Shouldn't Feel Guilty About Student Loans

Student debt is a burden that is faced by millions of Americans. However, some people are able to obtain their degrees without needing to borrow student loans. Many students receive academic and athletic scholarships, and some universities ensure that all students will graduate debt free despite their financial background. In addition, some people do not need to borrow student loans because their parents are fully paying for their educational costs. Although such individuals may feel… Continue Reading Wealthy People Shouldn’t Feel Guilty About Student Debt

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AP Classes Can Lessen Your Student Debt

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Choosing Schools
AP Classes Can Lessen Your Student Debt

Since beginning Student Debt Diaries a few years ago, I have received numerous emails from high school students and their parents about student debt. Most high schoolers and their parents want to know strategies that can be pursued in college to minimize the amount of student debt a borrower needs to take out to pay for educational costs. However, students can implement strategies in high school that can also greatly impact their bottom lines. Indeed,… Continue Reading AP Classes Can Lessen Your Student Debt

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A Parent’s Legal Duty to Pay for College

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents
Parent's Legal Duty to Pay for College

It is generally understood that parents have a moral responsibility to pay for their kids’ educational expenses if they are capable of doing so. Of course, some parents do not have the financial means to help their children with college and graduate school costs, and this can actually make their kids more eligible for need-based financial aid. However, if parents have sufficient resources, it is generally assumed that they should pay for their kids’ educational… Continue Reading A Parent’s Legal Duty to Pay for College

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Middle-Class Borrowers Have Less Financial Aid Choices

Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Repayment Strategies
Middle-Class Student Loan Borrowers

This website has previously discussed how students can obtain financial aid in order to minimize the amount of debt they borrow to earn a degree. As already discussed, students can usually apply for institutional financial aid at the schools they attend, and outside scholarships and grants are also available for qualified students. However, middle-class student loan borrowers often have less financial aid options, and they usually have to make the most difficult choices when it… Continue Reading Middle-Class Borrowers Have Less Financial Aid Choices

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