Colin Beresford

Writer | Personal finance

Colin Beresford is a former NerdWallet student loans writer. He previously was an automotive business writer for Car and Driver magazine and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Education: B.A. in internal studies from the University of Michigan
Organizations: Automotive Press Association
Previous experience: Bloomberg News, Car and Driver magazine

Colin's picks

Personal Finance Defined: The Guide to Maximizing Your Money

by Hal M. Bundrick, CFP®

Personal finance is the process of making money, saving money, building wealth and protecting assets.

Don’t Call It Student Loan Forgiveness: Income-Driven Plans Rarely Clear Debt

by Anna Helhoski

A NerdWallet analysis finds income-driven plans are unlikely to discharge debt for most student loan borrowers.

How to Buy a Used Car

by Funto Omojola, Benjamin Din

Tools like pricing guides, online listings and vehicle history reports can simplify your used-car shopping experience.

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The Associated Press, ABC News, MarketWatch

The latest from Colin

Don’t Let Your First Car Be a $30K Mistake

Buying your first car right now isn’t easy, but with the right prep you can find a car that won’t become a burden.

Skipped College in 2021? Enroll This Fall

If you didn’t enroll or reenroll in college during the pandemic, this fall is the time to get back on the path to higher education.

Using a Reverse Transfer May Help You Get an Associate Degree

A reverse transfer lets you get an associate degree at your former community college with credits earned at a four-year school.

Get Ready to Spend Like a College Grad With These Top Budget Tips

Soon-to-be graduates can take these steps to build healthy spending habits and make the transition out of college easier.

Can You Get a Bachelor’s Degree at a Community College?

There are community colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees, but not all do.

How Much Is Community College?

Community college tuition and fees cost $3,800 on average for the 2021-2022 academic year, according to the College Board.

Is Community College Free?

Community college isn’t free in the U.S., but at least 23 states offer free community college for some students.

Grads Left Behind $3.75B in Free College Aid in 2021, Study Says

An estimated 813,000 Pell-eligible high school graduates didn’t submit the FAFSA in 2021, a college access nonprofit found.

Transcript Gaps? A Strong College Application Remains Possible

Show colleges the best version of yourself, but also know admissions officers have adapted their expectations.

Free Community College Is Dead — and Still Possible

Free community college was cut from the federal budget bill, but its advocates aren't done fighting for it.

What Is an Institutional Loan?

Institutional loans are student loans made by a school.

What Is the Common App?

The Common App is a standard college application used by roughly 900 schools across the U.S.

Pandemic Sinks College Enrollment Again, but Fall Looks Brighter

Community colleges saw enrollment drop most, but analysts expect a recovery for all types of institutions this fall.