parents Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Student Debt Diaries

Picking a Student Loan Cosigner

August 26, 2019 Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents, Repayment Strategies

Many student debt borrowers need to secure a cosigner to guarantee their student loans. Students typically do not have a substantial credit history, and cosigners provide lenders an extra sense of security. A guest article (written by my brother) already teased out the issue of cosigners, but I also wanted to discuss a few considerations that come into play when picking a student loan cosigner based on my own experiences. As previously mentioned in a… Continue Reading Picking a Student Loan Cosigner

Siblings Can Help Each Other with Student Loans

April 8, 2019 Jordan RothmanRepayment Strategies

This website has already discussed some of the ways that parents can help their children with student loans. And it is of course true that parents can have a major influence on how their children are impacted by student debt. However, many people might not realize that siblings can also help each other with student loans. I am a triplet, and I have twin older brothers. We have all had to help each other throughout… Continue Reading Siblings Can Help Each Other with Student Loans

Can You Be Too Old to Borrow Student Loans?

April 1, 2019 Jordan RothmanRepayment Strategies

Since founding Student Debt Diaries over a year and a half ago, I have received emails from numerous people across the country. Some of the individuals who email me are non-traditional students seeking advice about how they can pay for their educational costs. On a few occasions, individuals in their 50s and 60s have reached out to me and asked me if I thought they were too old to borrow student loans. Of course, individuals… Continue Reading Can You Be Too Old to Borrow Student Loans?

Parents Should Equally Help Children with Educational Costs

February 25, 2019February 26, 2019 Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents

Parents Should Equally Help Children With Student Loans

Since founding Student Debt Diaries almost 18 months ago, I have received hundreds of emails from people across the country. Although most individuals who email me have student loans themselves, I also receive numerous messages from parents of children with student debt. Usually, parents reach out to me in order to discover ways that they can help their kids with student loans. However, a few parents have discussed their financial struggles and other issues that… Continue Reading Parents Should Equally Help Children with Educational Costs

Parents Can Help Their Kids Receive Financial Aid

January 21, 2019 Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents

Every student who wants to minimize the amount of money they borrow to attend college or graduate school should consider obtaining financial aid. As mentioned in a few prior articles, I received generous need-based financial aid while attending college and law school. This assistance helped me lessen the amount of money I had to borrow to earn my degrees. Through my experiences applying for financial assistance, I learned first-hand how parents can help their kids… Continue Reading Parents Can Help Their Kids Receive Financial Aid

Life Insurance Can Help Children with Student Loans

October 1, 2018October 6, 2018 Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents

Nobody wants to think about what will happen to loved ones after they pass away. Many of us have already endured the death of a family member, and we are very familiar with the financial and emotional stress that arises after a relative dies. For individuals with student loans, the passing of a parent or other family member can cause additional financial issues, since student loan borrowers might have difficulty paying for final expenses while… Continue Reading Life Insurance Can Help Children with Student Loans

Helping Family While Paying Off Student Loans

September 24, 2018 Jordan RothmanSaving Money

While paying off student loans, it can be hard to devote financial resources to anything other than repaying student debt. Indeed, many student loan borrowers dedicate a large percentage of their incomes each month to student debt, and this leaves little money left to devote to any other purpose. However, you might need you to consider helping family while paying off student loans if a life emergency arises. During my student debt repayment saga, there… Continue Reading Helping Family While Paying Off Student Loans

Living with Parents While Paying Off Student Loans Is a Great Idea

September 3, 2018 Jordan RothmanSaving Money

Most of us have to devote a huge portion of our incomes to housing costs each month. Whether you rent a home or pay a mortgage, you likely need to shell out thousands of dollars a month just to have a place to live. Of course, there are definitely ways to cut down on housing expenses. Indeed, I had roommates and lived in less-expensive housing during my student debt repayment saga in order to save… Continue Reading Living with Parents While Paying Off Student Loans Is a Great Idea

Instead of Gifts, Ask Friends and Family to Donate to 529 Plans

August 27, 2018 Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents

contribute to 529 plans instead of providing gifts

Many parents are probably very familiar with 529 savings plans. For those who do not know, 529 plans are tax-advantaged funds that encourage individuals to set money aside to pay the educational expenses of a future student. Many people assume that parents are the only individuals who can contribute money to a 529 plan. However, anyone can contribute to a 529 plan, and more people should contribute to 529 plans instead of providing gifts to… Continue Reading Instead of Gifts, Ask Friends and Family to Donate to 529 Plans

Deciding If You Should Pay for Your Children’s Educational Costs

August 20, 2018 Jordan RothmanAdvice for Parents

It is usually assumed that you should pay for your children’s educational costs if you are financially able to do so. And this of course makes sense, since student debt can restrict millennials from achieving a number of life goals. As previously mentioned on this website, student loans can impede recent graduates from buying a home, saving for retirement, and achieving a number of other financial aspirations. Having parents pay for educational expenses can be… Continue Reading Deciding If You Should Pay for Your Children’s Educational Costs