So today we are going to look at each component of the cost of attendance and see where we can shave off a few dollars. The goal here is to help you get by on the aid dollars you are getting with less than 20 hours of work a week. Why 20? Research shows that students who work 12-20 hours a week often do better in school, but as you increase hours above 20 hours a week, you … [Read more...] about Stretching Your College Going Dollars – Cost of Attendance Components
Saving for College
Stretching Your College Going Dollars – Making Good Choices
What's one of the smartest ways to stretch your money for college? Make smart choices. Do a budget. The best way to do this is to keep track of every dollar you spend for one month. Carry a little notebook with you or do a list in your phone. You will be surprised where some of the money goes. It is different for everyone. Some people would never spend money on a video … [Read more...] about Stretching Your College Going Dollars – Making Good Choices
Advice for Full-Time College Students
Plan ahead. The Pell Grant is paid on a pro-rated basis. If you are attending a four-year college or university, they may require you to attend full-time, but most community colleges leave the enrollment decision to the individual students. Research has shown that students who attend full-time are usually more successful in their studies. This may be the result of … [Read more...] about Advice for Full-Time College Students
Cost of Attending College
When people think about the cost of attending college, they often think of tuition and fees. Sometimes they remember books. The cost of college is more than those two items. When the Department of Education crunches your numbers and determines if you are eligible for federal aid, they use the formula-COST OF ATTENDANCE minus EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION equals NEED. It is … [Read more...] about Cost of Attending College
Coverdell Fade-Out: How this affects your plans for college savings
As a little reported part of the recently passed tax bill, the Coverdell Education IRA will undergo some rather major changes: 1. The annual contribution is expected to drop from $2000 per year to $500 per year, and 2. The savings will no longer be able to be spent on anything other than college; presently, if you are a parent saving for your child, you can actually … [Read more...] about Coverdell Fade-Out: How this affects your plans for college savings