What should I do now (October 2024) while waiting for FAFSA to open Now – Register on FAFSA website to get SAI (Student Aid Index) Actual completion of FAFSA occurs this year from Dec 1st Go to - https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch Create your FSAID account – one for the parent and one for the student You will need Full … [Read more...]
Federal Student Loan Rates for 2024-2025
May 23, 2024 by
Student loans have become more and more expensive in the past few years. The Federal government has determined the Federal Direct Student Loan interest rates for the school year 2024-25, and they will be higher. This will be for new federal loans disbursed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The net increase is 1.3% higher than … [Read more...]
FAFSA and Student Loan News
August 30, 2024 by
FAFSA 2025-26 The rollout of the new FAFSA software last year was pretty much a disaster and everyone was hoping that things would be back on track this year. Usually, October 1st is the start date for new FAFSA applications. Unfortunately, there will be very limited availability to complete applications then. The full launch is scheduled to only start … [Read more...]
The Unpredictability of Predictions
December 28, 2023 by
The Unpredictability of Predictions We all make predictions about things in life—some with lesser consequences than others. But if we see or hear something on TV or Radio (or now Podcast), then SURELY that information must be from an expert who knows something, and we should follow their advice. Here are some things I have heard going into 2023: Because … [Read more...]
FAFSA only opens on 12/31. Schools will get data late
November 20, 2023 by
On Wednesday, November 15th, the Department of Education (DOE) announced that the FAFSA will be available by 12/31/2023. If finally gives everyone a firm date to work on. This FAFSA delay is due to the FAFSA Simplification upgrades.October 1st is typically the date that you can begin completing the FAFSA. This seems likely to be delayed when the Colleges … [Read more...]
Social Security – Early or Late?
August 18, 2023 by
Before we go through this, let me say that each family’s situation is unique, and I strongly suggest that you talk with a financial advisor before making any decisions. The standard for calculations in communication from the Social Security Administration is an anacronym FRA or “Full Retirement Age” as per the Social Security Administration. For anyone born in … [Read more...]
Loans for College
June 19, 2023 by
I get many questions on whether to borrow for college, and if so what sort of loans to take out to fund College. The #1 biggest regret that students have AFTER college is the payments they have to make for years afterward, and the large amount of debt they are left with after college. Obviously, the best option is to never have student loans, but if you are … [Read more...]
We ARE old people!
May 10, 2023 by
Seniors - An issue we will all face today or in the future A friend of mine got a call from his Pickleball buddy asking if he wanted to play on Saturday morning. He replied, “Don’t all the old people play on Saturday morning?” His friend retorted, “Joe, we ARE old people!” A subject coming up for discussion frequently with my clients is about elderly … [Read more...]
College Loan Forgiveness
September 3, 2022 by
WARNING – This piece includes an opinion that some might not agree with!Well, that is probably true of all the newsletters that I write, but the minute you include something that has a touch of politics, there is always a risk of some not being happy. Usually, I try to steer away from politics, so I am going to try to frame this as FACTS and ADVICE for each … [Read more...]
4 Vital Questions about College
August 18, 2022 by
Parents – Have I had a discussion with my spouse as to who is paying for college? Some parents want to pay for everything for college because that is what their parents did for them, or they want their students to be able to focus solely on their studies. Other parents would like their students to have some skin in the game with some loans. Yet other … [Read more...]
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