How to Pay the Balance: Many students and families will be considering financing a portion of their college education with either a federal PLUS Loan or a private student loan when scholarships and financial aid are not enough. This session highlights the differences between the PLUS and private student loan programs. The focus will be on encouraging responsible borrowing and what you can do to help educate your students and families on finding the right solution for their borrowing needs. By attending this session, you will gain a deeper understanding of the gap financing tools that students and families use and will be better equipped to counsel them on choosing the right financing solution for them.
Understanding gap financing options (Undergrad Students): Comparing the Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents, private student loans, and private parent loans
College Planning Calculator: This easy-to-use college planning calculator helps you search for college costs and build a customized plan based on your own situation.
You can see the full cost of college, not just tuition.
Factor savings, scholarships, grants, and loans into your plan.
If college is just around the corner, we can help you figure out how to pay for it.
If college is far away, we can help you save for it.
See guidelines for a loan payment compared to the salary needed to support it.
Save your plan and you can review, revise, and update it at any time while you put that plan into action.
Graduate School Planning and Paying
Considering Graduate or Professional School: Learn what graduate admissions offices are looking for, how to apply and next steps. A panel of experiences graduate school admission officers will discuss the Law School, Medical School and General Graduate School, as well as financial aid tips.
Paying for Graduate School: Planning for graduate school is an exciting next step in your professional journey. However, you may be wondering how graduate school is financed, whether the FAFSA might help, and if scholarships and other opportunities are available. This session will highlight the differences between the Federal Grad PLUS Loan and private student loan programs and focus on encouraging responsible borrowing while helping students find the right solutions to help pay for their education.
Understanding Gap Financing Options (Graduate Students): Comparing the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, private student loans, and private parent loans
College Planning Calculator: This easy to use college planning calculator helps you search for college costs and build a customized plan based on your own situation.
You can see the full cost of college, not just tuition.
Factor savings, scholarships, grants, and loans into your plan.
If college is just around the corner, we can help you figure out how to pay for it.
If college is far away, we can help you save for it.
See guidelines for a loan payment compared to the salary needed to support it.
Save your plan and you can review, revise, and update it at any time while you put that plan into action.
Money Management
Smart Money Management: During this session you’ll learn smart tips for managing your money while in school. You’ll gain confidence in your financial skills and the knowledge you need to create a budget and savings plan.
Monthly Budget Worksheet: Use this worksheet to create a budget and check how you’re doing each month compared with your budget goal. The worksheet will total your numbers at the bottom so you can see if you need to make adjustments — like cutting expenses or boosting your income — to reach your goal.
Credit and Banking
Understanding Credit: Understanding how credit works and building a responsible credit history early on is essential to building a strong credit score. This session will review the five primary factors considered in your credit score and discuss best practices for building and managing credit. You’ll learn more about FICO® Scores, credit cards, and credit reports. Understanding Credit: FICO Scores, loans, and financial health tips
Identity Theft and How to Avoid It: Identity theft can be one of the most devastating things that can happen to an individual. It can damage your credit status and your reputation and can take a significant amount of your time to restore your name and credit standing. During this session you will learn what identity theft is and how to identify it. You will also hear about the steps necessary to repair your identity in the event that it is stolen. Finally, attendees will hear tips and recommendations on how to avoid identity theft.
Fighting Identity Theft: If your information falls into the wrong hands, it could cost you time and money to restore your good name and credit status. To help keep your financial reputation intact, follow these helpful tips.
Student Loans and Repayment
Understanding the Cost of Undergraduate Student Loan Borrowing: Understanding the cost of student loan borrowing: This presentation covers financial literacy topics such as the relative cost of a student loan, loan repayment tools, and tips on managing student loans. It identifies important things students should know about their loan portfolio, identifying their servicers and understanding the cost of their student loan.
Understanding the Cost of Graduate Student Loan Borrowing: This presentation covers financial literacy topics such as money management, credit management, understanding the relative cost of a graduate student loan, loan repayment tools, and tips on managing student loans. It identifies important things students should know about their loan portfolio, identifying their servicers and understanding the cost of their student loan.
Student Loan Interest: Learn about the components of loans - interest rate, principal amount, accrue, capitalization – and tips on how to manage your loans.
Variable vs. Fixed Interest Rates: Interest rate is the rate charged to borrow money. When you take out a loan, you pay it back with interest, so you pay back more than you borrowed. A fixed interest rate is usually a little higher than a starting variable interest rate. However, with a fixed interest rate, you’ll have predictable monthly payments, which can make it easier to stick to a budget or plan for college. On the other hand, a variable interest rate may vary based on the financial markets. Usually, variable interest rates start lower than fixed interest rates helping you save money for college. It is important to bear in mind that variable interest rates could go up or down due to an increase or decrease in the loan’s index. Watch this video by Sallie Mae to learn more about the benefits and considerations of fixed and variable interest rates for your private student loan. Talk to your private student loan lender so you can understand your options and choose the right ones for you.
Accrued Interest Calculator: See how accrued interest could affect your loan balance. Even if you’re not currently making loan payments, interest continues to accrue (grow). Paying a little more toward your loan may reduce your total loan cost.
Important dates to know within your student loan repayment timeline
What you can do to avoid capitalized interest
Options for postponing student loan payments and how postponement affects your loan balance
Choosing a student loan repayment plan and understanding the pros and cons of Income Driven Repayment Plans
Understanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Responsible Repayment Strategies for Graduate and Professional Students: This presentation identifies important things students should know upon graduation such as knowing their loan portfolio, identifying their servicers, and understanding the cost of their student loan. It will also outline information on deferment and forbearance options. The session will also provide information helping your students manage their spending, save money, build and maintain good credit, and understand the basics behind student loan repayment. It will also highlight the key principles of money management, borrowing guidelines, credit card usage, identity theft, as well as tips on managing student loans.
Student Loan Payment Amount Estimator: When you’re considering taking out a student loan, or about to start paying off one, use this calculator to estimate what your monthly payment might be.
Repaying Student Loans: As you begin to repay your loans, these strategies can help make the process simpler.
Learn about payment plans, loan consolidation, getting out of default and more at the Federal Student Aid website.
Student Loan & Financial Planning: This checklist can help you get organized as you get ready to leave school. Start by collecting all of your student loan documents and keep them in one file. Examples of these documents include Master Promissory Notes, financial aid offers, lender/servicer communications, disclosure statements, and exit interview information.
