When you’re struggling financially, keeping up with your student loan payments might feel like you’re stuck on a runaway train — and student loan forbearance, which allows you to pause these payments temporarily, might look like a soft landing. But watch out: Although forbearance is undeniably quick and easy to set up, its high costs Read more >
Parents are increasingly shouldering the student loan burden and risking their financial health to do it, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization. In its analysis of debt taken on through the federal parent PLUS loan program, Brookings found that: Balances owed by parents have more than tripled over the Read more >
Q. I was reading about the Navient lawsuit but also received a text in regards to it and wanted to understand this better. I’ve been paying this one loan for what seems like forever. And my payments will be going up soon, which will be hard for me. I do pay extra each month. This Read more >
The moment a student takes out a loan is not often the time they think about how to repay them. But, the reality is the moment you sign on the dotted line, you need to figure out how you are going to pay it back. However, for many borrowers this time has already passed. So, Read more >
If college tuition bills are looming and you don’t have nearly enough saved, you have plenty of company. But you also have options for making it more affordable. Four out of 10 families who hope to send kids to college aren’t saving for that goal, according to student loan company Sallie Mae. Among those who Read more >
“Ask Brianna” is a column from NerdWallet for 20-somethings or anyone else starting out. I’m here to help you manage your money, find a job and pay off student loans — all the real-world stuff no one taught us how to do in college. Send your questions about postgrad life to askbrianna@nerdwallet.com. Student loans aren’t Read more >
Q. I attended a school and accrued over $22,000 in student loans. I feel that I was misled to believe I was guaranteed to be able to get a job when I graduated. I’ve heard of the borrower defense to repay rule but what is it and who qualifies for student loan forgiveness? Dear Read more >
The idea of student loans can be daunting, especially with the costs of education at historic heights. If you are already in the process of paying your loans, your monthly payment can be a stressful task that doesn’t feel like it’s making a dent in your overall balance, and, even if you have not yet Read more >
Students can now apply for federal financial aid the same way they share snaps and stories: through an app on their phones. The myStudentAid mobile app from the U.S. Department of Education lets students and parents fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The new app launched Oct. 1, the Read more >
“Ask Brianna” is a column from NerdWallet for 20-somethings or anyone else starting out. I’m here to help you manage your money, find a job and pay off student loans — all the real-world stuff no one taught us how to do in college. Send your questions about postgrad life to askbrianna@nerdwallet.com. Earlier this Read more >
Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®) is the nation's first and largest nonprofit dedicated to improving people's financial well-being.
NFCC members help millions of consumers like you through community-based offices located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Each NFCC member agency has earned our seal by adhering to high standards and ethical practices designed to help you achieve financial stability.
Funding for operations and services comes from an ever-changing combination of federal, state and local government grants, as well as donations from financial industry participants and private donors.
For more on the NFCC, visit www.NFCC.org
The Sharpen Your Financial Focus™ program is an initiative of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) in partnership with a broad cross-section of supporters. Together, we are committed to increasing the financial well-being of Americans. This initiative is partially funded by Bank of America, Chase, Synchrony Financial, Wells Fargo and other major financial institutions. We thank all funders and partners who make this program possible. For more information, visit www.SharpenToday.org.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
2000 M Street, NW
Suite 505
Washington, DC 20036
For NFCC Media Inquiries:
Bruce McClary
Vice President of Communications
Email: bmcclary@nfcc.org
