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5 Major Student Loan Changes Coming in 2026 Jan 08, 2026

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Federal student loans are a critical component in how families pay for college.

Beginning in 2026, new laws will change how much students and parents can borrow and how those student loans are repaid. The changes are significant, especially for graduate students, professional programs, and families that rely on Parent PLUS loans to close college funding gaps.

Student loan repayment also faces one of the biggest shifts in history.

For families planning for college or graduate school, or those already in repayment on student loans, the next year will be another wild one with updates and changes.

Why Tax Refunds May Be Bigger in 2026 Jan 07, 2026

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Americans may be heading into the largest tax refund season on record - even though it may be one of the latest start tax refund seasons in recent memory.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week that recent tax law changes could result in tax refunds that are “$1,000 to $2,000” larger for many households when they file their 2025 returns in early 2026.

The White House has echoed that claim, pointing to estimates from Piper Sandler, suggesting the average refund could rise by roughly $1,000 compared with the 2025 filing season. That would put the typical tax refund at about $4,150.

If those projections hold, millions of taxpayers will see more money returned by the IRS - not because taxes suddenly fell during the year, but because they paid too much along the way.

Key Life Skills For Incoming College Freshman Jan 06, 2026

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As families juggle decisions about housing, orientation dates, and class schedules, one area that often gets overlooked is life skills. The transition from high school to college is one of the biggest changes a teenager will face. And while some schools may offer a session study habits, far fewer address what it takes to function day to day.

The cost of not being prepared can be high. Students who don’t learn how to manage stress or money early may be more likely to drop out or take longer to finish their degree. Parents often assume their kids already know these skills or will figure them out along the way. But being proactive helps students feel more confident from day one.

Why Your 2026 Tax Return Could Be Delayed Jan 05, 2026

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For years, taxpayers have grown accustomed to filing season opening in late January. But for the 2026 tax year, current projections point to a much later start.

According to comments from IRS leadership, the agency is preparing for a filing season that could open around Presidents Day: mid-February 2026. This reflects added workload from new tax law provisions and the need for additional preparation time.

If you're expecting a tax refund, the most common advice is that you should file your tax return as soon as possible. There is no reason to let the government keep your money any longer.

Even if you e-file early, we estimate that the IRS won't start processing your tax return until February 17, 2026. You can see our estimated tax refund calendar to know when you're going to expect your tax refund.

How To Invest In Real Estate: 19 Ideas To Get You Started Jan 02, 2026

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Close to 90% of the world’s millionaires have some sort of real estate exposure. Real estate investing can help you grow your net worth and develop new forms of income.

In the past, real estate investing was primarily for investors who easily qualified for loans—usually those in a higher tax bracket. But today’s changing times and technology have made it more accessible to make small investments. We’ve outlined 19 different ways to get your investment started in real estate - well beyond the basics of buy a house and rent it out.

Some are appropriate for beginners, others are more fitting for existing homeowners, and some are suited for deca-millionaires or people with specialized skill sets. No matter who you are, you can invest in real estate with one of these options.

Options If You Don't Have Enough Financial Aid Or Student Loans To Pay For School Dec 29, 2025

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What can you do if you can't afford college? The answer is duct tape.

What? Duct tape has a lot of practical uses, such as reinforcing book bindings, patching holes in backpacks, removing lint and catching bugs.

But, what does duct tape have to do with paying for college? Duck brand duct tape sponsors a $10,000 scholarship for making a prom costume out of duct tape. Visit the stuckatprom.com website for more information.

If that particular scholarship doesn’t help you get out of your sticky situation, then look for scholarships at free scholarship search websites, such as Fastweb.com and the College Board’s Big Future. Just beware of scholarship scams, which charge a fee to apply for a scholarship.

Here are ten other options to help pay for school when you don't have enough financial aid.

What Is The 529 Plan Penalty And How To Avoid It Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

One of the biggest fears families have about using a 529 plan to save for college is the dreaded 529 plan penalty.

There are many ways to save and pay for college, and the absolute best way to do it varies depending on your specific situation. A 529 plan, which is designed to help you with higher education expenses, is a type of tax-advantaged account that allows you to save and invest money.

As long as you withdraw that money for qualified expenses, you can do so without paying taxes on it. However, if you don't use the funds in your 529 plan for qualified education expenses, you may be assessed a tax penalty.

Thankfully, it's fairly straightforward to avoid this 529 plan penalty, as long as you take a few precautionary steps.

5 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Isn't Telling You Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

It's currently estimated that there are about 3,000,000 millionaires in the United States today. And given that there are about 300,000,000 Americans according to the latest Census data, that means about 1 in 100 are millionaires.

Even more startling is that means that you probably know someone who is a millionaire, and you probably live within a stone's throw of other millionaires that you don't know.

The truth is that a lot of millionaires have very specific habits. Traits that make them successful - whether personally or professionally.

Beyond the inspirational, here are five fundamental habits that your millionaire neighbor has but probably isn't telling you.

How Students Can Avoid The Full Cost of College Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

For many parents scrolling Facebook, the same comment keeps appearing under college-related posts: “I don’t know how we’re supposed to pay $30,000 a year for college.”

The fear is understandable. Sticker prices at four-year colleges have climbed for decades, and tuition figures are often presented as unavoidable facts. But the assumption behind those comments — that most families really do pay $30,000 a year out of pocket — is usually wrong.

In reality, the typical college student pays far less than the published price, and many pay very little or nothing at all. A mix of public policy, institutional aid, employer programs, and academic shortcuts quietly lowers the bill for millions of families each year. And even when it comes to actually writing a check, families pay for college using multiple strategies.

Why Private Lenders May Not Replace Grad PLUS Loans Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Starting in 2026, Grad PLUS loans are ending, and there will be new borrowing options for graduate and professional education. The new borrowing limits ($20,500 annually for graduate students and $50,000 for students in designated professional programs) represent a sharp break from the prior model that allowed borrowing up to the full cost of attendance.

The line between “graduate” and “professional” is now tied to detailed federal definitions and CIP codes, placing programs like physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, speech-language pathology, and social work under the lower graduate limit despite tuition that often exceeds $40,000 a year.

As these changes take effect, a second shift is underway: private lenders are not ready to replace what Grad PLUS once provided. The hesitation is rooted in uncertainty about risk, credit, and the behavioral response of students and institutions.

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