HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE
latest news on how to pay for college
Financial resources to cover tuition and expenses are scarce. Student loans have driven up the cost for college and college expenses. Less than 10% of students can get a scholarship. Family wealth matters more than ever because tuition must be paid out of retirement money. High tuition causes parents to make a Sophie's Choice on which child to bestow educational freedom. And, borrowers simply cannot afford anything bad to happen to them during repayment.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Podcast Subjects: 529 savings plan for parents and for grandparents; avoid credit cards; budget; Certificates of Deposit; cheap college strategy; college savings plans; coupons; course load requirement expenses; debt trap; difficult; discounts; early graduation; extra expense; free college requirements; grants; loan forgiveness-related majors; lottery; military; mutual funds; non-skilled; planned parenthood; profit; projected income knowledge; recession proof plan; regular loan; rental property; retirement; scholarships; skilled; stocks; student loans; too big to fail; tuition assistance; tuition range; vacation; wage premium; weddings; work study
Date | Strategy | URL |
5/15/2025 | 7 Signs You’re Headed Toward Student Loan Trouble (and How to Stop It) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/7-signs-you-re-headed-toward-student-loan-trouble-and-how-to-stop-it/ss-AA1EMs4q?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=a92a378da33a49989c9b34227d24c2fb&ei=161#image=9 |
5/12/2025 | These Are the 27 States That Guarantee a Personal Finance Course for All High Schoolers | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/these-are-the-27-states-that-guarantee-a-personal-finance-course-for-all-high-schoolers/ss-AA1Db1Sr?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=de70adfed25544c7b91cb1dc6e338809&ei=36 |
5/9/2025 | (Alert) Student Loan Borrowers, You Have Until Summer to Prevent Your Wages From Being Garnished | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/student-loan-borrowers-you-have-until-summer-to-prevent-your-wages-from-being-garnished/ar-AA1DllhO?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=37a181eb78b848fc84af00f3ec5e7527&ei=16 |
5/1/2025 | Stay up-to-date on court actions affecting IDR plans. | https://studentaid.gov/ |
4/30/2025 | (Alert) Student debt has jumped by $3,000 in just one year ($40,000 on average) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/the-40k-graduation-gift-nobody-wants-student-loan-debt-hits-new-high/vi-AA1DM4DR?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=716b97dfef8e4b5bb2584958dfa3353f&ei=14 |
4/30/2025 | MOHELA Faces Multi-State Loan Servicing Probes | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/mohela-faces-multi-state-loan-servicing-probes/ar-AA1DUp6R?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=3418e0dc97c54047adbbc199c0a0c5c1&ei=44 |
4/24/2025 | Warren probing impact on students, teachers from Education Dept. cuts | https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/warren-probing-impact-on-students-teachers-from-education-dept-cuts/ar-AA1DwfVF?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=8a5d9eead9e0427ff36b2bd0a97f91d3&ei=106 |
4/21/2025 | (Alert) Student Loan Collections Resume May 5 | https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-begin-federal-student-loan-collections-other-actions-help-borrowers-get-back-repayment |
4/19/2025 | Key Dates For Student Loan Borrowers In 2025 | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/key-dates-for-student-loan-borrowers-in-2025/ar-AA1DdK1E?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=07b32b5e28c647e59b91e7c2381fec7a&ei=11 |
4/12/2025 | Income-driven repayment plan (IDR) applications will resume immediately for single borrowers (and select married borrowers) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/student-loan-idr-processing-resumes-but-raises-new-questions/ar-AA1CMmZP?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=4bd3d6d8d7e1406ab716b04da140bda3&ei=32 |
4/6/2025 | How to repay student loans now (tips) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/here-are-some-student-loan-repayment-tips-amid-challenging-times-for-borrowers/ar-AA1Coukr?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=9855b5a67ad94644a8fc68a98ebf1273&ei=14 |
3/30/2025 | Degrees aren’t enough: Why educated professionals are now juggling multiple jobs to stay afloat in today’s economy | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/degrees-aren-t-enough-why-educated-professionals-are-now-juggling-multiple-jobs-to-stay-afloat-in-today-s-economy/ar-AA1BLfB9?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b25a3782abfd49bbb35e1f4ebd8ea537&ei=16 |
3/26/2025 | (Alert) Per court order, the Education Department reopened applications for repayment plans but with no processing time-line | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/education-department-reopens-suspended-student-loan-repayment-applications/ar-AA1BIe3u?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=4d0f05ffc35a41189943e8a0e1b7b9bc&ei=11
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3/21/2025 | (Alert) The U.S. Small Business Administration now runs the federal student loan program | https://www.nbcnews.com/video/trump-announces-the-small-business-administration-will-handle-student-loans-235043909909 |
3/17/2025 | (Alert) Borrowers currently enrolled in Income-Contingent Repayment, Income-Based Repayment, or Pay As You Earn plans are unable to recertify their loans | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/are-your-student-loans-up-for-idr-recertification-here-are-your-options-while-applications-are-closed/ar-AA1B5HfM?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=9f4b9845bb17456edb7eeb6a67b98191&ei=51 |
3/17/2025 | Free tuition at Harvard announced for families making $200K or less | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/harvard-says-tuition-will-be-free-for-families-making-200k-or-less/ar-AA1B5Lhk?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=564d5435254041a0aa75bf57a81c4ac6&ei=42# |
3/16/2025 | Fired federal workers lose student loan forgiveness | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/i-was-so-close-fired-federal-workers-lose-student-loan-forgiveness/ar-AA1B0T7N?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=36ec5e6190e74eaebc21a06448ddfc5c&ei=13 |
3/14/2025 | (Alert) Borrowers facing soaring repayments | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/trump-s-student-loan-changes-leave-borrowers-facing-soaring-repayments/ar-AA1AVk2p?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=cf8daaf88674480aa6c1b7b03de2d313&ei=19 and https://www.newsweek.com/department-education-student-loan-payments-increase-2048407 |
3/12/2025 | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/student-loan-borrowers-are-going-to-feel-the-brunt-of-education-department-layoffs/ar-AA1AMRhF?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=ffaab93bcbf54e1f9b9e380a2f7f9f0b&ei=1550 | |
3/12/2025 | (Alert) Borrower consumer protections have ended | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ex-cfpb-ombudsman-message-federal-200052816.html |
3/8/2025 | State tax hit on forgiven student loans (warning) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/have-you-received-student-loan-forgiveness-plan-now-to-avoid-a-tax-bomb/ar-AA1Aw98r?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2109519f67b04c2ab6d0d8087a2d1ea0&ei=17 |
3/4/2025 | Defrauded borrowers in limbo because of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau jobs cut | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/student-loan-borrowers-misled-by-colleges-were-about-to-get-relief-trump-fired-people-poised-to-help/ar-AA1AfmZT?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b2cefcc6bea64635b88d46cb27994d86&ei=13 |
3/2/2025 | Community crowd funding | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/facing-student-loan-debt-fears-americans-and-their-communities-turn-to-crowdfunding/ar-AA1A54Q9?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=157dccd75afd47f9cf5abdb133e1cb1b&ei=20 |
2/27/2025 | Student loan borrowers' credit scores have dropped | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/steep-drop-in-credit-scores-hits-student-loan-borrowers/ar-AA1zTBP9?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=474d47b7cd9c4c2e8e182e24c2dec085&ei=11 |
2/27/2025 | (alert) States are not prepared for the Department of Education to be abolished | https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/we-re-not-prepared-states-brace-for-trump-s-plans-to-dismantle-the-education-department/ar-AA1zTD5A?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=8b71f323eff048a7ec95967fe0d931ad&ei=15 |
2/25/2025 | (alert) Department of Education closes applications for Income-Driven Repayment plans and loan consolidation | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/department-of-education-closes-applications-for-income-driven-repayment-plans/ar-AA1zIanw?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=bdaad3ead67047f1f5c65215c2e1a222&ei=8 |
2/23/2025 | (alert) Dept. of Agriculture suspends scholarships for HBCUs | https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/u-s-agriculture-department-suspends-scholarships-for-students-at-historically-black-colleges/ar-AA1zAlNF?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b2c264246fda4fe88bde24872388aa55&ei=17 |
2/20/2025 | Student loan management is in limbo now (stress) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/feeling-stressed-about-the-future-of-your-student-loans-i-m-a-financial-advisor-here-s-what-you-need-to-know/ar-AA1zsMCK?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=693013aa000a447b96e79ccc04ddc4fa&ei=59 |
2/19/2025 | Refinancing federal loans into private loans because of Trump’s policies | |
2/10/2025 | (warning) Property taxes increase if the Department of Education’s duties move back to the states (expense to plan for) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/hochul-gillibrand-warn-ny-communities-will-increase-property-taxes-if-trump-cuts-department-of-education/ar-AA1yIgzJ?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=5ff43294104b4530c4237e198c396483&ei=62 |
2/9/2025 | (warning—Republicans are planning to increase the cost of paying for college) Republicans plan to raise the cost of financial aid (tax scholarships and endowments; end loan repayment plans) | • https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/house-republicans-mull-changes-to-student-loan-programs/ar-AA1yHDcJ?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=68c09b043b6543a29adaf67f9b3566d9&ei=38
• https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/to-pay-for-trump-s-tax-cuts-house-republicans-could-raise-student-loan-bills-for-millions-of-borrowers/ar-AA1yLdxk?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=148fea7e4bcf4d96b63d34eeff1207fd&ei=38
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2/3/2025 and 2/13/2025 | How to get a mortgage when you have a student loan |
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2/2/2025 | How best to make extra payments on your loan | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/how-to-make-principal-only-payments-on-student-loans/ar-AA1y81qE?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=06c6f4290de1419ece5ab1112ea8ffa4&ei=35 |
1/27/2025 | (warning—these are just broad strokes) “start early and remain committed to the goal of education throughout a child's life”—529 Plan plus birthday gifts, dual enrollment, parttime jobs, scholarships and grants, consult a professional | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/my-daughter-just-graduated-from-an-elite-american-university-and-did-it-debt-free-this-is-how-we-pulled-it-off/ar-AA1sQP16?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=7c7977f3bf9140a6bc5514c3c51d1d13&ei=20 |
1/18/2025 | Have an honest discussion about the financial impact on your family’s wealth (major, financial aid, ability to contribute, actual expenses); budget time and effort on obtaining aid; plan years early; keep assets out of the student’s name; have disciplined savings | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/here-are-the-biggest-college-funding-mistakes-according-to-financial-advisors/ar-AA1pBk8f?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=ad455a475f724a56b337838310a4b2ac&ei=16 |
1/13/2025 | Pay with a credit card (pros and cons) | https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/pay-your-student-loans-with-a-credit-card-and-earn-rewards/ |
January 2025 | Pay a smaller amount and invest the money in something else instead of prepaying | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/my-husband-and-i-paid-off-80-000-of-student-debt-during-the-pandemic-but-now-i-wish-we-hadn-t/ar-BB1qzpms?cvid=8F59253D69B0479A82DB8BA759FD381F&ocid=nl_article_link |
December 2024 | Calculate discretionary income for income driven student loan refinancing plans. | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/discretionary-income-calculator-for-student-loans/ar-AA1ud7J7?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=6e2a7b2483164296a6a19e6d90029832&ei=86 |
11/5/2024 and 1/19/2025 | Get counselors, financial planners, coaches and lawyers; know what you can afford | • https://thecollegeinvestor.com/17060/4-ways-to-get-help-for-your-student-loans/?srsltid=AfmBOor8SYG4dTKkCul01cVTxSqGt0Kwx5R1C_w_NLtUtlwSROeSxmfG • https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/10-alarming-signs-you-can-t-afford-your-child-s-dream-college/ss-AA1xjqjh?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=bf529e2927bb40f4b531519541556a5d&ei=33 |
12/28/2024 | Use 1/3 Rule (1/3 savings, 1/3 loan, 1/3 income) | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/the-college-savings-rule-many-parents-may-not-know-about/ar-AA1wCzAv?ocid=iehp%25#:~:text=Don%27t%20try%20and%20do,cover%20all%20of%20the%20expenses.%22&text=The%20one%2Dthird%20rule%20is,may%20not%20be%20aware%20of. |
12/22/2024 | [warning] normal saving is not enough | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ive-saved-sons-college-tuition-121701747.html |
2024 and 12/5/2024 | Avoid loans with scholarships; crowdfunding; military benefits; 529 Plan; grant; work study; employer tuition reimbursement; AP tests; graduate assistant job; renting textbooks; negotiate with your school; live off campus; an income share agreement; independent student status; a side hustle; community college; an online school; a budget; going slow; studying abroad; dual enrollment; and alumni mentorship. | • https://thingsthatmakepeoplegoaww.com/clever-ways-to-fund-your-education-without-loans/
• https://www.investopedia.com/denied-student-loan-forgiveness-best-ways-adjust-your-budget-8752915
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October 2024 | Wait to enroll in grad school. Work and get your finances straight first. | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/i-waited-5-years-after-undergrad-to-enroll-in-graduate-school-waiting-made-me-a-better-student/ar-AA1qsTqp?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=1ff94d0bcedc448281372c272dd5de5a&ei=52 |
October 2024 and 11/19/2024 | Make extra payments; refinance; prioritize debt payments; make biweekly payments; live frugally; refinance through a forgiveness program; obtain an employer contribution; pay off capitalized interest first; take tax deductions; make automatic payments | • https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/10-expert-tips-on-how-students-can-pay-off-their-student-loans-quicker/ss-AA1t7VPE?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds#image=2
•https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/business/money-report/incorrect-student-loan-payments-are-getting-pulled-from-borrowers-bank-accounts/5999689/?os=%24420907%2A2&ref=app
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10/29/2024 and 10/21/2024 | [warning] Biden’s “Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE)” loan program strategy failed | • https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c204ywxzl11o
[Title: "'It's just a mess' - Left in limbo by US student loan logjam"]
• https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/21/biden-student-loan-payment-pause-save-plan.html
• https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/loans/stay-with-save-for-student-loan-forgiveness-experts-say-with-4-exceptions/
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10/29/2024 | Sue | https://www.newsweek.com/department-education-sued-denying-student-loan-cancellation-1976730 |
10/28/2024 | Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) custodial accounts for flexible college savings | https://www.businessinsider.com/i-have-five-kids-and-cant-pay-for-their-college-2024-10 |
10/26/2024 and 1/24/2025 | Take out loans for your child or children or grandchild or grandchildren | •https://www.fastcompany.com/91217035/boomers-shoulder-the-heaviest-student-loans-but-not-for-themselves
• https://money.usnews.com/loans/student-loans/articles/parent-plus-loans-vs-private-student-loans-compare-your-options• https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/student-loan-debt-is-growing-among-older-americans/ar-AA1xMCm7?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=a44364300a6d42a18d0c317b476ee4cd&ei=27
• Parent PLUS Loans vs. Private Student Loans_ Compare Your Options.pdf
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10/16/2024 | Don’t pay—take the credit report hit, garnishment hit and automated collection tactics (got bills, bills, bills) | • https://money.usnews.com/loans/student-loans/articles/2024-student-loan-repayment-survey#:~:text=That%20grace%20period%20has%20now,to%20a%20U.S.%20News%20survey
• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/white-house-issues-new-student-debt-relief-plan-before-election-says-millions-may-qualify/ar-AA1sUjmW
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10/4/2024 | Work outside your field to make ends meet | https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/a-millennial-with-a-ph-d-and-over-250k-in-student-loan-debt-says-shes-been-looking-for-a-job-for-4-years.5735328/
(originally published by Business Insider)
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10/1/2024 | Check whether you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan or a PSLF; seek deferment or forbearance | • https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-grace-period-onramp-period-464c9c1dba5c1b53cb305b170b9cb838
• https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/we-vowed-to-joe-biden-celebrates-1-million-loan-cancellations/ss-AA1szqqU?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=0ad6727584754576d6bde51e77f13873&ei=14
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10/1/2024 | [warning] Biden’s “Fresh Start” program to get out of default status is closed | https://www.newsweek.com/student-loans-fresh-start-program-benefits-federal-borrowers-1961622 |
October 2024 | Turn to activism | https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/personalfinance/in-college-at-40-in-debt-for-a-lifetime/ar-AA1s16rm |
October 2024 and December 2024 | [warning] 529 account funds will likely need to be diverted and they do have a small negative impact on financial aid | • https://www.msn.com/en-ca/lifestyle/parenting/i-started-my-kids-529-account-at-birth-with-the-intention-of-not-touching-it-until-college-i-changed-my-mind/ar-AA1pV9wX?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1
• https://lifehacker.com/money/pros-and-cons-of-529-prepaid-college-tuition-plans• https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/does-a-529-plan-affect-financial-aid/ar-AA1vLwDY?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=dcf3279ff78a4db294d35ab424204ac9&ei=16
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October 2024 | Use the loan simulator on ED’s website | https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/these-student-loan-protections-end-this-month/vi-AA1rjQCq |
9/24/2024 and 12/17/2024 | Refinance in a forgiveness program | •https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/student-loan-forgiveness-programs-and-how-they-work/
• https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/17/student-loan-forgiveness-chances-lost-to-those-who-refinance-cfpb.html#:~:text=IDR%20plans%20allow%20federal%20student,And%20this%20has%20cost%20borrowers
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9/13/2024 | Save as a teen | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/teens-contribute-saving-education-110025723.html |
6/26/2024 | Prepare for expenses beyond tuition | • https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-college-costs-10-expenses-195934645.html
• https://thingsthatmakepeoplegoaww.com/the-hidden-costs-of-college-15-overlooked-expenses/
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6/24/2024 | Call your loan servicer, change your payment plan, consolidate, deferment/forbearance, refinance for forgiveness | https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/06/39155841/5-things-to-do-if-paying-back-student-loans-have-you-losing-sleep-at-night |