For families across the country, this is a moment of high anxiety. College tuition bills are arriving, and as you try to set up payment plans, you might be staring at a balance that is thousands of dollars higher than you anticipated. Your first thought might be a mistake in the award letter, but the culprit is often something else: your awarded financial aid has not actually been applied. 

Recent updates to federal higher education law include three major changes that will reshape how colleges are funded, how students are protected, and how wealthy institutions are taxed. These reforms aim to increase transparency, ensure better outcomes for students, and rebalance how federal support interacts with institutional wealth.

College costs continue to rise, and career paths are more diverse than ever. Families need flexible, tax-smart ways to prepare their children for success, whether that means traditional college, trade school, or starting a business. Recent federal legislation introduced two significant changes to education and career savings: expanded 529 plans and new Trump Accounts.

Life happens. Whether it is a job loss, illness, or unexpected expenses, sometimes borrowers need a break from student loan payments. In this post, we will explore how the new federal legislation changes the rules around deferment, forbearance, and loan rehabilitation—the tools borrowers use when they are struggling.

Recent federal legislation has changed how student loan borrowers repay their debt. The biggest update? The standard repayment plan now offers different payment terms based on how much you owe. Here's what you need to know.

In the previous blog, we covered how the recent federal legislation simplifies student loan repayment by eliminating most existing plans and replacing them with just two options. In this post, we will dive into the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)—the new income-driven repayment option that is designed to be simpler and more predictable. The RAP goes into effect starting July 1, 2026.

As part of our ongoing blog series on upcoming federal student aid changes, we are digging into the Loan Repayment section—a section with some of the biggest shifts in how student loans will work in the future.

For millions of students, Pell Grants are the gateway to college. They are the largest source of federal grant aid—and unlike loans, they do not need to be repaid. The recent federal legislation has introduced updates to the Pell Grant program that will affect both traditional students and those pursuing short-term workforce training.   Let’s break down what is changing, what it is staying, and what it means for students and families.   What is Changing in the Traditional Pel

The new federal policy overhauls how much students and parents can borrow through federal student loans. It introduces clear caps on borrowing, eliminates certain loan types, and aims to make student debt more manageable and predictable. If students are planning to go to graduate or professional school—or parents planning to help your child pay for college—there is a major shift coming your way.

If you are a family trying to navigate the rising cost of college, upcoming federal changes to financial aid and student loans could have a big impact on your bottom line. These new policies reshape how students can fund their education, how financial aid is calculated, and how families are assessed. But the official language is long—and let’s be honest—a bit overwhelming to sort through.

Each year on July 1, the interest rates on federal student loans are updated. Last year we saw higher interest rates. This year, there is a slight decrease, but the interest rates are still very reasonable for an unsecured loan. Interest rates on federal student loans are fixed for the life of the loan.  Direct Undergraduate Loans: 6.392%  Direct Graduate & Professional Loans: 7.942%  Direct PLUS Loans (Grad & Parent): 8.942% Click Here to download the New Federal Loan Summa

Planning for financing college can be a daunting task, but starting early can make a significant difference. For parents of high school students, understanding the timeline and key strategies can help maximize financial aid opportunities. Here are some essential tips to guide you through the process. Understanding the Financial Aid Timeline The "base year" for financial aid calculations starts during the second half of your child’s sophomore year in high school and continues

Any time a student or their family decides to finance a college education, there are many factors to consider. There is a not a one-size fits all answer to the question, “What is the best way to pay for college?” Every family situation will vary, and the final decision is a very personal one. So, is it a good idea to pay for college with your 401k? In short—no, probably not. Although you can borrow from your 401k you must consider the consequences of doing that. Any financial