The cost of a college education is rising every year. This year the average cost of a private four-year school was $26,273, up 4.4% from last year, and the average cost of a public school was $7,020, up 6.5% from last year. For most families, paying for college is a struggle. If you feel like you do not have all the pieces of the financial aid puzzle, you are not alone.
On January 1st the 2010-2011 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) was released. The FAFSA is probably the most important part of the financial aid puzzle. If you are planning on attending college in the fall of 2010 you should be in the process of submitting this form. The FAFSA determines how much federal financial aid you are eligible to apply for. There are three basic types of federal student aid:
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There are hundreds of resources available to students who want to continue their education and receive an online college degree but are unable to pay for it up front. Whatever route you’re choosing for student financial aid – an unpaid monetary gift or re-paid financial assistance – funding your way through school is achievable. Money no longer needs to be a factor in your decision to return or even go to school the first time around!
To decide which type of student financial aid would suit your educational pursuits, the following information on loans and scholarships should come in handy. Before enrolling at any school to acquire your online college degree, however, you need to make sure that it’s accredited, the degree program you’re interested in is eligible for student financial aid, and you’ve discussed your situation with the college’s representatives in the financial aid office.
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There’s been a tremendous amount of news about the student loan and financial aid industry lately. Those who follow the industry know that New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has been pressing settlements or lawsuits to both lenders and colleges, alleging unethical and illegal practices. The headlines have been filled with sensational claims of all kinds – some factual and some probably exaggerated to some extent. Let’s take a balanced look at some of the practices being called into question.
- Revenue sharing. When a college sets up a revenue sharing agreement with a student loan company, the loan company may offer the college a payment based on the loans taken out by that college’s students, usually a percentage of the loan. While some argue that revenue sharing gives colleges more money to work with for defraying administrative costs or funding additional scholarships, it has been deemed a conflict of interest when colleges have a financial incentive to push students to a preferred lender when it may not offer the best benefits or lowest rates.
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