Cecilia is a student loans writer with NerdWallet, where she helps readers navigate the landscape around college finances. Before coming to NerdWallet, she served as an army officer and then as a freelance cybersecurity writer. Cecilia has a BA in English and an MEd in Teaching and Learning English.
Finding out the best ways to pay for college can be overwhelming. And if you’ve already exhausted free aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and taken advantage…
Key takeaways Avoid using your 401(k) to pay off student loans. Early 401(k) withdrawal can cost an additional 30% in taxes and penalties. Taking money out of your 401(k) can…
In the third round of COVID-19 relief, college students and their families could see more money in their pockets than before. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, signed by…
Colleges have faced innumerable challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the way they’ve responded to those issues should influence how prospective students evaluate them. Online learning, strict campus rules and…
Key takeaways Compare rate offers from several lenders to determine which will give you the lowest rate. Borrowers with high credit scores and low debt-to-income ratios are more likely to…
Congress just gave your employer a good reason to help pay off your student loans. And unlike many student loan relief programs, this one includes private loans. The December 2020…
Key takeaways Discretionary income is the money you have left after you pay for essentials, like housing. You can use discretionary income to build a budget with the 50/30/20 strategy.…
Key takeaways Both coding bootcamp loans and ISAs can cover the costs of a coding bootcamp. Students should exhaust free aid for bootcamps before turning to sources that require repayment,…
The bottom line: GradGuard provides tuition insurance for students across the country. It’s best for students who are interested in COVID-19 coverage. Pros & Cons PROS Provides coverage for withdrawals…
You can use the GI Bill to pay for costs at approved coding bootcamps. But the VET TEC program might be a better way to cover those expenses and allow…
