Paying for College
CIT Founder Jay Benanav: Reporting Annuities on the FAFSA and CSS Profile
Do annuities count on the FAFSA & CSS Profile? It depends, says college money expert Jay Benanav. “Qualified” annuities do not get reported on the FAFSA but do get reported on the CSS. However, “nonqualified” annuities DO get reported on the FAFSA as well as the CSS. This raises the question: What is the difference…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of September 7, 2020
Important financial aid info – College Inside Track’s Jay Benanav provides answers to important financial aid questions. Take a few minutes to read his advice. 9 tips for communicating with your teen – Connecting with your teenager was tough enough before the stresses of COVID-19. Rachel Ehmke shares valuable tips on an important…
Read MoreFederal student loan rates fall to lowest on record
For some good news amidst the current pandemic, the federal direct student loan rates are falling to the lowest interest rates on record for families taking on federal student loans this year. Undergraduate rates for the 2020-2021 school year will be 2.75%. This is a reduction of 1.78% as compared to the 2019-20…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of May 4, 2020
3 new paying for college strategies in the COVID-19 world – COVID-19 has massively disrupted the college planning process, which has created new opportunities for families to potentially reduce their cost. Check out 3 new college financial planning strategies to consider (as always, please consult with a financial professional to determine if any are…
Read MorePaying for college – 3 new strategies
COVID-19 has massively disrupted the college planning and paying for college process, which has created new opportunities for families to potentially reduce their cost. Here are three new college financial planning strategies to consider (as always, please consult with a financial professional to determine if any are a fit): Take advantage of low…
Read MoreFederal Student Loan Payments Suspended Through Sept. 30
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has suspended all federal student loan payments through September 30, 2020. Here’s what you need to know: No interest will accrue on your federal student loans through Sept. 30, 2020. Your federal student loan balance doesn’t change unless you make payments, meaning…
Read MoreInsider tips for the week of March 2, 2020
FAFSA says how much you can pay for college, but it’s often wrong – The NY Times explains what the FAFSA says you can afford is usually less than you will end up paying, which comes as a big surprise to many families. This is an important read as you plan how to make the…
Read MoreInsider money tips for the week of February 3, 2020
Major change to 529 Plans – The SECURE Act signed at the end of last year includes a major change that now allows 529 Plan dollars to be used to pay for student loans. However, certain states need to conform their tax laws to the federal one, otherwise folks in those states may face…
Read MoreInsider tips financial aid tips for the week of January 13, 2020
College savings cheat sheet – Financial aid guru Mark Kantrowitz shares some tremendous advice with Katie Couric on how parents can best approach the financial aspect of college. Among my favorites: Parents overestimate eligibility for merit aid, underestimate eligibility for need-based aid, and aren’t aware that most colleges meet financial need with loans, not…
Read More2 valuable college planning changes in the SECURE Act
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act signed into law at the end of 2019 includes two significant college planning changes that families need to know about. 529 Plans can now be used to repay student loans Previously, 529 Plans could be used for qualified college expenses and $10,000 annually of…
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