ED and Treasury launched the Defaulted Loans Support Center on StudentAid.gov, letting borrowers apply online to rehabilitate or consolidate defaulted loans.
The post Education Department And Treasury Launch Online Portal For Student Loan Borrowers In Default appeared first on The College Investor.
PAYE caps payments at 10% of discretionary income and forgives the balance after 20 years, but the plan ends by July 1, 2028. Here's who still qualifies, how to apply, and whether to move to IBR or RAP.
The post Pay As You Earn (PAYE): How It Works And What Happens When It Ends In 2028 appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 29, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Rates for September 29, 2026: Ascent Leads at 1.94% appeared first on The College Investor.
The Department of Education extended the 1% student loan auto pay discount deadline to December 31, 2026, with nearly 2 million borrowers enrolled.
The post Education Department Extends 1% Student Loan Auto Pay Discount Deadline To December 31 appeared first on The College Investor.
You could lower your taxable income by $2,500 with the student loan interest deduction. Here's how it works.
The post Student Loan Interest Deduction: 2026 Income Limits, Who Qualifies, And How To Claim It appeared first on The College Investor.
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act 77-22. Here's what it changes for NIL pay, agents, transfers, and families footing the bill.
The post Senate Passes The Protect College Sports Act: What It Means For NIL Money And Families appeared first on The College Investor.
Find the high-yield savings account that can help you earn the most interest on your money.
The post Best High-Yield Savings Rates for September 28, 2026: Up to 4.25% appeared first on The College Investor.
Seven states require the FAFSA or an opt-out form to earn a diploma, and three more track it. See every state's rules, the repeals, and whether it worked.
The post States That Require The FAFSA To Graduate: 2026 Update appeared first on The College Investor.
The IRS draft 2026 Form 1040 asks filers if they are citizens or authorized to work, tied to a Treasury rule limiting refundable EITC and child tax credits.
The post IRS Adds Citizenship Question To Draft 2026 Form 1040 appeared first on The College Investor.
Sen. Jeff Merkley's Homeownership Promise Act would match first-time homebuyers' down payment savings $5 for $1, up to $50,000 in federal HUD grants.
The post New Senate Bill Would Give First-Time Homebuyers $5 For Every $1 They Save appeared first on The College Investor.
Cornell's 238-page Future of the American University report targets AI, admissions, and opaque tuition pricing. Here are its four biggest recommendations.
The post Cornell Wants Admissions To Reward ‘Enough’ Instead Of ‘The Best’ — And Blames The Common App appeared first on The College Investor.
Santa Clara University will cover tuition, fees, and housing after family contribution for California families earning $150,000 or less from fall 2027.
The post Santa Clara University Expands California Promise Aid To Families Earning $150,000 Or Less appeared first on The College Investor.
Think you make too much for financial aid? The FAFSA has no income cutoff, the 2027-28 form opened early, and your state may require it to graduate.
The post We Make Too Much For Financial Aid. Should We Still File The FAFSA? appeared first on The College Investor.
EBRI finds student loan borrowers in their 40s have median 401(k) balances 45% lower than non-borrowers, and a universal loan match could add $11.2B a year.
The post Student Loan Borrowers In Their 40s Have 45% Smaller 401(k) Balances, EBRI Finds appeared first on The College Investor.
WisePal helps lower your monthly bills by finding better offers and negotiating with providers. You only pay if it saves you money. Learn more.
The post WisePal Review: Save Money On Bills And More appeared first on The College Investor.
A new class action says the Education Department still reports $4.6 billion in cancelled student loans to credit bureaus, hurting 300,000+ borrowers.
The post Lawsuit Says Education Department Still Reports $4.6 Billion In Cancelled Student Loans appeared first on The College Investor.
Arne Duncan, John King Jr., Miguel Cardona and AFGE Local 252 asked the Education Department inspector general to investigate the cost of 2025 layoffs.
The post Three Former ED Secretaries Ask Inspector General to Investigate Cost of Education Department Layoffs appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan refinancing rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 24, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Refinance Rates for September 24, 2026: Credible Leads At 3.65% appeared first on The College Investor.
There are many student loan forgiveness programs, including public service, volunteer work, medical studies, the military, or law school.
The post Student Loan Forgiveness Programs In 2026: Every Way To Qualify appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare 1-year CD rates and find the highest yields for September 23, 2026.
The post Best 12-Month CD Rates for September 23, 2026: Up to 4.35% appeared first on The College Investor.
The 2027-28 FAFSA is now open to all students ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline. See what changed, which tax year it uses, and why filing early means more aid.
The post The 2027-28 FAFSA Is Now Open To Every Family, Ahead Of The Oct. 1 Deadline Again appeared first on The College Investor.
Federal student loan defaults hit 9.3 million with $234 billion owed, new FSA data shows, while IDR balances rose from $740 billion to $792 billion in a year.
The post 9.3 Million Federal Student Loan Borrowers Are Now In Default, New FSA Data Shows appeared first on The College Investor.
89 groups, including the AFL-CIO and AFT, urge Congress to hold an emergency hearing on student loan servicing errors, PSLF losses, and SAVE confusion.
The post 89 Groups Demand Congress Take Action As Student Loan Errors Hit Borrowers appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 22, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Rates for September 22, 2026: Ascent Leads at 1.94% appeared first on The College Investor.
The FAFSA skips asset questions for families under $60,000 in income, families that received certain federal benefits, and maximum Pell Grant students. Here are the rules.
The post FAFSA Skipped The Asset Questions? Here’s When Assets Don’t Have To Be Reported appeared first on The College Investor.
The PSLF Inclusion Act of 2026 would count SAVE forbearance months and the first 60 payments on any plan toward PSLF, with no buyback required.
The post New Bipartisan Bill Would Count SAVE Forbearance Months Toward PSLF, No Buyback Required appeared first on The College Investor.
Newsom signed SB 960 and AB 2694, letting California community colleges add 2 to 12 bachelor's degrees per district based on completion and transfer rates.
The post Newsom Signs Laws Letting California Community Colleges Add Up To 12 Bachelor’s Degrees appeared first on The College Investor.
Find the high-yield savings account that can help you earn the most interest on your money.
The post Best High-Yield Savings Rates for September 21, 2026: Up to 4.15% appeared first on The College Investor.
Trump Accounts are a student asset on the FAFSA, assessed at 20% like a UGMA. Here's how that compares to a 529 plan and what it costs in aid.
The post How Trump Accounts Affect The FAFSA And Financial Aid appeared first on The College Investor.
In this week's live student loan question and answer session, we discuss PSLF buyback, Parent PLUS Loans, taxes, and more.
The post Student Loans Q&A: Buybacks, Parent PLUS, Tax Traps, and Forgiveness Rules appeared first on The College Investor.
Fitch cut Xavier University to BBB+ with a Negative Outlook, citing deficits and enrollment declines. Here's what it means for students and families.
The post Fitch Downgrades Xavier University to BBB+ With a Negative Outlook appeared first on The College Investor.
National Student Clearinghouse data shows 51.2% of high-poverty high school grads enroll in college right away, vs. 73.9% at low-poverty schools.
The post 51% of High-Poverty High School Grads Go Straight to College vs. 74% at Wealthier Schools appeared first on The College Investor.
A reader is going to get their student loans forgiven. Will they owe taxes on the amount? How does it work?
The post My Student Loans Are Finally Being Forgiven. Could I Owe Taxes On Them? appeared first on The College Investor.
Investing for dividends is a key way to grow your portfolio and your wealth over time because dividends compound and grow over time.
The post Investing For Dividends: How It Works, What It Pays, And Where To Start appeared first on The College Investor.
The TEAM USA Act would cap international athletes at 20% per college team and tie compliance to federal student aid. Here's what the bill says.
The post New Bill Would Limit International Student Athletes To 20% Per College Team, Starting In 2029 appeared first on The College Investor.
Nu brings its digital banking platform to the U.S. with high-yield savings, cash back rewards, and no monthly fees. Is it worth it?
The post Nu Review: High-Yield Savings And More appeared first on The College Investor.
You've probably heard of FICA Tax, and you've probably seen it on your paystub, but do you know what it is and how much you pay?
The post What Is FICA Tax And Who Pays It? 2026 Rates And Limits appeared first on The College Investor.
A federal judge blocked the DHS four-year cap on F, J and I student visas nationwide, ruling the security case violated the APA. What happens next.
The post Judge Blocks DHS Four-Year Student Visa Cap, Says Security Rationale “Borders On The Absurd” appeared first on The College Investor.
For most, free filing with the IRS or tax prep software is best, but others have complex situations. Here's to know how to do your own taxes.
The post How To Do Your Own Taxes In 2027: Free File, Tax Software, Or Paper appeared first on The College Investor.
New York's Board of Regents voted to end the Regents exam graduation requirement starting with the class of 2028. What it means for families and costs.
The post New York Ends The Regents Exam Requirement — And Hands Districts The Job Of Defining A Diploma appeared first on The College Investor.
Employment income is money earned from working such as your W-2 job or freelance work. Unearned may come from a pension or alimony. Here are the main differences.
The post What Counts As Earned Income? Employment Income Explained For 2026 Taxes appeared first on The College Investor.
DOJ sued Hawaii, Utah, Arkansas and D.C. over in-state tuition for undocumented students, reaching 25 cases. Six state laws are already enjoined.
The post DOJ Sues Hawaii, Utah, Arkansas And D.C. Over In-State Tuition, Reaching 25 States appeared first on The College Investor.
There's a lot to know when it comes to taxes. Here are the ten best tax breaks that you might be able to utilize. Read on to learn them!
The post The Ten Best Tax Breaks That Currently Exist Today appeared first on The College Investor.
Find the high-yield savings account that can help you earn the most interest on your money.
The post Best High-Yield Savings Rates for September 14, 2026: Up to 4.15% appeared first on The College Investor.
DOJ and the Education Department found UC Berkeley Law violated Title VI in admissions. Berkeley's dean disputes it. What it means for applicants.
The post DOJ And Education Department Find UC Berkeley Law Violated Title VI In Admissions appeared first on The College Investor.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs or LRAPS help repay your student loans after graduation. Here's how they work.
The post Some Colleges Will Help Repay Your Student Loans After Graduation. Here’s How It Works appeared first on The College Investor.
Wellesley College will cover full tuition for families earning under $200,000 starting fall 2027, raising its $150,000 threshold to match Harvard and MIT.
The post Wellesley Goes Tuition-Free At $200,000, Joining Harvard And MIT appeared first on The College Investor.
Get the full 2027–28 FAFSA deadline list with federal, state, and school. Learn when to apply, what changed this year, and how to boost your aid eligibility.
The post FAFSA Deadlines For 2027-28 And 2026-27: Federal, State, And School Due Dates appeared first on The College Investor.
Merkley and Krishnamoorthi's Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act would pull federal aid from programs failing licensure and earnings rules.
The post New Bills Would Cut Federal Aid To College Programs That Fail Licensing And Earnings Tests appeared first on The College Investor.
37% of married couples pay more tax than they would single. Here's every 2026 marriage penalty (brackets, SALT, EITC, tips, student loans, HSAs) with the numbers, plus the rules that favor married couples.
The post The Marriage Tax Penalty In 2026: Every Rule That Costs Married Couples (And The Ones That Help) appeared first on The College Investor.
A reader and her husband were each billed $980 on RAP. Here's why married borrowers get one payment (not two) and how to get a wrong bill corrected.
The post We Both Have Student Loans. Does RAP Make Us Pay Twice? appeared first on The College Investor.
UC San Diego's remedial MATH 2 filled both fall 2026 sections with 175 students waitlisted, reigniting the UC test-blind admissions fight. Here's the data.
The post UC San Diego’s Remedial Math Class Is Full — Reigniting The Debate Over Test Requirements appeared first on The College Investor.
Yahoo Finance Plus offers portfolio tools, premium research, and advanced data to help investors make informed decisions. Is it worth the price? Learn more.
The post Yahoo Finance Plus Review: Pros And Cons appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan refinancing rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 10, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Refinance Rates for September 10, 2026: Credible Leads At 3.65% appeared first on The College Investor.
H.R. 9974, the Young Farmer Success Act, would make full-time farm and ranch work qualify for PSLF if the operation clears $35,000 in annual sales.
The post New House Bill Would Make Farm And Ranch Workers Eligible For PSLF appeared first on The College Investor.
Why elite colleges are racing to offer free tuition: 33 schools now waive it for families earning up to $250,000. The endowment tax is part of the story.
The post Why Elite Colleges Are Racing To Offer Free Tuition appeared first on The College Investor.
UVM's new Regional Tuition Break cuts tuition to $30,240 for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island students starting fall 2027.
The post UVM Cuts Tuition By $18,000 For Students From Five New England States appeared first on The College Investor.
Notre Dame will require SAT or ACT scores from Fall 2028 applicants, joining Brown, Columbia and every Ivy in reversing pandemic-era test-optional policies.
The post Notre Dame Will Require SAT And ACT Scores Again Starting With Fall 2028 Applicants appeared first on The College Investor.
The best bank account bonuses for September 9, 2026, including $400 offers from Chase and Huntington. See the direct deposit requirements and deadlines.
The post Best Bank Account Bonuses For September 9, 2026: Up To $400 appeared first on The College Investor.
Federal Reserve data shows student loan debt reached $1.86 trillion in Q2 2026, up 3.1% year over year. The quarterly dip is seasonal, not the new loan caps.
The post Student Loan Debt Reaches $1.86 Trillion, Up $55.6 Billion From A Year Ago appeared first on The College Investor.
The math behind Uber vs. Owning A Car and why I sold my car and take Uber or Lyft everywhere, including work.
The post Why I Sold My Car And Now Uber Everywhere (Uber vs. Owning A Car) appeared first on The College Investor.
Indianapolis Public Schools restored zeros for unattempted work while San Diego Unified compressed its grading scale. What both mean for college readiness.
The post Indianapolis Ends Its No-Zero Grading Policy: What It Means for College Readiness appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 8, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Rates for September 8, 2026: Ascent Leads at 1.94% appeared first on The College Investor.
H.R. 10232 would block transfers of four Education Department offices and cut the Secretary's travel funds. Student loan servicing is not covered.
The post New House Bill Blocks 4 Education Department Transfers — And Cuts McMahon’s Travel Funds appeared first on The College Investor.
College is more expensive than ever, but if you need to withdraw from school early, tuition refunds are not guaranteed. Find out how college refunds work.
The post How College Refunds Work And How To Find A Refund Policy appeared first on The College Investor.
How much you should have in a 529 plan by age to save for college for your children, including high and low contributions for public and private school.
The post How Much Should You Have In A 529 Plan By Age appeared first on The College Investor.
Find the high-yield savings account that can help you earn the most interest on your money.
The post Best High-Yield Savings Rates for September 7, 2026: Up to 4.15% appeared first on The College Investor.
Sallie surveyed 511 scholarship applicants: 63% of winners started in high school, and top winners earned a median $12,750 across 3 or more awards.
The post Who Wins College Scholarships? Sallie Data Shows Early, High-Volume Applicants appeared first on The College Investor.
There are no student loans that go directly to you. In the United States, all qualified education loans must be disbursed to the college first.
The post Are There Student Loans That Go Directly To You? appeared first on The College Investor.
A negative SAI isn't bad. It means the highest financial need on the FAFSA. An SAI of 0 down to -1,500 qualifies you for the maximum Pell Grant. Here's why.
The post What Does A Negative SAI Mean? appeared first on The College Investor.
Rep. Bonamici's SIMPLE Act would auto-enroll student loan borrowers 75 days delinquent into the lowest-payment IDR plan using IRS data starting July 2028.
The post New Bill Would Use IRS Data To Automatically Put Struggling Student Loan Borrowers Into Low Payments appeared first on The College Investor.
Senators Warren, Merkley, Booker, and Van Hollen ask ED to explain $216 million spent from OBBBA's $1 billion student loan fund as defaults hit 9 million.
The post Senators Demand ED Account for $1 Billion Student Loan Fund as Defaults Hit 9M appeared first on The College Investor.
Learn how to calculate and report assets for FAFSA, including cash, investments, business, and farm net worth.
The post How Do You Calculate Current Net Worth Of Assets For FAFSA appeared first on The College Investor.
RAND survey: 66% of high school students say school staff push four-year college; community college, trades, and apprenticeships get little emphasis.
The post High Schools Push Four-Year College To 66% Of Students. Only 45% Actually Go. appeared first on The College Investor.
New NBER research finds Tennessee's free community college program raised enrollment, degrees, and earnings — and paid for itself through tax revenue.
The post Free Community College Pays For Itself, New NBER Study Finds appeared first on The College Investor.
Tablewealth syncs financial accounts with spreadsheets, dashboards, and custom apps for flexible net worth, investing, and spending tracking. Learn more.
The post Tablewealth Review: Manage Your Finances Your Way appeared first on The College Investor.
Here is the Student Aid Index SAI Chart and calculator that shows how much aid students can expect to receive by family income level.
The post 2027 – 2028 Student Aid Index (SAI) Chart And Calculator appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan refinancing rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 3, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Refinance Rates for September 3, 2026: Credible Leads At 3.65% appeared first on The College Investor.
Treasury and IRS proposed rules would end tax-exempt status for private schools with race-based policies, hitting 18,000 schools. Lawsuits are likely.
The post IRS Proposes Ending Tax-Exempt Status For 18,000 Private Schools Over Race-Based Policies appeared first on The College Investor.
Here are the steps to take to start building credit early, before you're 18, when you're in college, or however early you can start.
The post How To Start Building Credit Early: Moves To Make Before You Need It appeared first on The College Investor.
Texas State's expanded Bobcat Promise gives free tuition to Fall 2027 freshmen in the top 25% of their class with family income of $100,000 or less.
The post Texas State Doubles Free Tuition Income Cap To $100,000 For 2027 Freshmen appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare 1-year CD rates and find the highest yields for September 2, 2026.
The post Best 12-Month CD Rates for September 2, 2026: Up to 4.35% appeared first on The College Investor.
Arizona State University launched a content creation bachelor's degree. Here's what the "influencer degree" costs and whether it can actually pay off.
The post ASU’s New “Influencer Degree” Costs Up To $60,000 A Year. Will It Pay Off? appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for September 1, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Rates for September 1, 2026: College Ave and Ascent Lead at 1.94% appeared first on The College Investor.
Ohio State will pay $2.1 million to settle DOJ claims it failed to disclose researchers' China ties on NASA and NSF grant applications since 2012.
The post Ohio State Pays $2.1 Million To Settle Claims It Hid Researchers’ China Ties appeared first on The College Investor.
Bill Gates' new 6,000-word essay warns heavier AI use is tied to weaker critical thinking and that students could end up learning less, not more.
The post Bill Gates Says Heavy AI Use Could Cause Students To End Up Learning Less appeared first on The College Investor.
The University of Maine system and two Kansas community colleges will now award college credit for soft skills credentials earned in high school.
The post University Of Maine Will Give College Credit For Soft Skills Learned In High School appeared first on The College Investor.
ED says 38.7% of colleges are missing required debt and earnings data. Here's the reporting breakdown by sector and what happens to non-compliant schools.
The post Department of Education Says Nearly 1,800 Colleges Haven’t Reported Required Earnings Data appeared first on The College Investor.
Find the high-yield savings account that can help you earn the most interest on your money.
The post Best High-Yield Savings Rates for August 31, 2026: Up to 4.15% appeared first on The College Investor.
DOJ sued Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington over in-state tuition for undocumented students, bringing the total to 21 states. What's at stake.
The post DOJ Sues Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon And Washington Over In-State Tuition For Undocumented Students appeared first on The College Investor.
Michigan's new MI College Match sends direct admission offers from 21 colleges to seniors who submit a profile by Sept. 21. No essays, fees, or rejections.
The post Michigan Seniors Can Now Get Into 21 Colleges Without A Traditional College Application appeared first on The College Investor.
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to build a statewide three-year bachelor's degree framework by Dec. 31, 2026.
The post Texas Governor Orders Colleges To Develop Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees appeared first on The College Investor.
DOJ says GW Medical School used essay questions to discriminate by race in 2024 and 2025 admissions, violating Title VI. GW disputes the finding.
The post Justice Department Says GW Med School Broke The Law In 2024 And 2025 Admissions appeared first on The College Investor.
The Department of War ordered 30 U.S. colleges to audit foreign research ties to Section 1286 institutions and report by Aug. 31, 2026 or risk funding.
The post Pentagon Gives 30 Universities Until August 31 To Report Foreign Collaborations appeared first on The College Investor.
Nine senators led by Elizabeth Warren demand MOHELA explain false delinquency notices sent to student loan borrowers, with answers due September 10.
The post Senators Demand Answers From MOHELA Over False Delinquency Notices Sent To Borrowers appeared first on The College Investor.
Tykr simplifies stock research with easy-to-understand ratings, portfolio tracking, and investing tools. Find out if Tykr is worth the cost.
The post Tykr Review: A Beginner-Friendly Stock Research Platform appeared first on The College Investor.
The Education Department is appealing both June 30 rulings that vacated its PSLF employer rule, sending the fight to the First and D.C. Circuits.
The post Education Department Appeals Court Rulings That Struck Down PSLF Employer Rule appeared first on The College Investor.
Compare today’s student loan refinancing rates and see which lenders offer the lowest APRs for August 27, 2026.
The post Best Student Loan Refinance Rates for August 27, 2026: Credible Leads At 3.62% appeared first on The College Investor.
International applicants to U.S. colleges fell 10% to 148,780 in 2025-26, India down 15% and Ghana down 34%, as a DHS four-year visa cap goes to court.
The post International College Applications Fall 10% As New Visa Rules Take Effect appeared first on The College Investor.
Here are a few student loan forgiveness options specifically for foster parents.
The post Student Loan Forgiveness For Foster Parents appeared first on The College Investor.
