The College Investor Audio Show

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Why Fill Out The FAFSA Even If You Don't "Think" You'll Receive Aid Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Even if you don't think you'll receive financial aid, you likely should fill out the FAFSA.

According to Sallie How America Pays for College report, 74% of students and families completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA for the 2023-2024 school year.

So why are over 25% of students deciding not to apply? They may believe their parents make too much or that they won't qualify for another reason and don't want to waste their time.

But skipping the FAFSA can leave free money, access to student loans, and other opportunities on the table.

Even if you don’t think you need it now you might wish you had later on. The FAFSA application window is open now.

Here’s why you should fill out the FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll receive aid.

How to Actually Get a Full-Ride Scholarship Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

A full-ride scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies and equipment.

It can include college-specific awards, national programs from private scholarship providers, and athletic scholarships.

But while winning a full-ride scholarship is a prestigious accomplishment and significantly eases the cost of paying for college, it's very elusive, with few students winning a full-ride each year. The good news is, there are steps you can take to improve your chances.

Can Colleges Withhold Your College Transcript? Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Colleges have been known to withhold college transcripts to recover unpaid debts. But this practice is becoming illegal in some places.

For many students and alumni, a college transcript is more than a piece of paper – it’s a gateway to career opportunities, additional education, and professional development. But what happens when a college withholds your transcript? Is it even legal for an institution to do that?

The answer is complicated, yet this is a reality for many who face unpaid debts to their former colleges. Let’s dive into why this happens, the rules governing transcript withholding, and how recent regulatory changes could affect you.

State Taxes And Student Loan Forgiveness Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

While many types of student loan forgiveness are tax-free federally, several states may levy taxes on student loan forgiveness.

Even though some popular programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) are tax free federally, every state has a different law regarding state taxes on loan forgiveness.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 added an exclusion from income on federal income tax returns for student loan forgiveness through December 31, 2025 - meaning all types of student loan forgiveness is tax free on the federal level.

But what about state policies for taxing student loan forgiveness? Some states provide tax-free status for student loan forgiveness and some do not. This could be an unexpected tax bomb waiting for some Americans.

College Rankings Fraud and Loan Forgiveness: What to Know Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

With the recent reports about colleges providing false information for rankings, could college ranking fraud or misleading financial aid award letters qualify you for student loan forgiveness?

Borrower Defense to Repayment can discharge a borrower’s federal student loans when they were defrauded by their college. But what does the Department of Education define as "defrauded"?

With the recent reports of colleges (especially some 'prestigious' ones) providing false information to boost their scores in rankings like US News, and other reports of colleges sending misleading financial aid award letters to make their schools appear less expensive to attend - the question of what is considered fraud extends well beyond the issues that we've seen with for-profit colleges.

Can you qualify for loan forgiveness if your college provided false and misleading information to the college rankings? Can you qualify for student loan forgiveness if your college provided a misleading financial aid award letter?

The answer is, as is often the case in matters relating to financial aid for college, “it depends.”

Federal vs. Private Student Loans: What To Know Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

If you're looking for additional funds to pay for college, you may be looking at Federal vs. private student loans.

After you're admitted to college, you’ll receive a financial aid package that breaks down your cost of attendance minus any grants, scholarships, or other sources of financial aid you’re eligible for. This financial aid package includes federal student loans.

Many students choose to cover their college expenses with Federal student loans, but it's not the only way (or you may need to borrow more than Federal loans offer). You can also use private student loans. There are pros and cons to consider before going the private route, but it might be the right decision depending on your financial situation.

We explore the differences between federal vs. private student loans and what you should consider before signing on the dotted line.

$1 Trillion In CDs Are Maturing In 2025: Here's What You Need To Know Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

CDs (or certificates of deposit) are low-risk savings vehicles offered by banks, credit unions and many other financial institutions.

Individuals can commit a certain amount of money for a specific period of time, and the issuing bank commits to paying a specified rate of interest.

CDs generally have terms ranging from a few months to several years, and usually offer higher yields than savings accounts. But with over $1 trillion in CDs maturing in 2025, investors have some big decisions to make.

Can A 529 Plan Be Used For Dual Enrollment? Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Dual enrollment allows you to earn college credit while you’re still in high school. Doing so can help you save money on the total cost of your education while preparing you for a more rigorous course load once you start college.

A 529 plan can be used for dual enrollment but there are some things you should be mindful of before you withdraw funds from your account.

How To Invest $50,000: 7 Different Options To Invest Your Cash Jan 12, 2025

Show notes

If you've come into a windfall of money, you might be wondering what is the best way to invest $50,000 (or even more)?

With a large amount of money to invest, you have several different options.

There is no single "right answer" that will work for everyone—instead, what works for you will depend on your own unique situation. But being aware of the different options helps you make the best choice.

And note - there might be some things you want to do before you invest such as paying off debt. Let's talk about some of these options.

What Are The Best 529 Plans Based On Performance? Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

529 plan performance is tough to measure - it's not just the investment returns, but it's also about the tax benefits and fees.

Minimizing costs is usually key to maximizing returns, but not always. Sometimes, state income tax breaks can compensate for the cost of 529 plans with higher fees. So, how can you find the best 529 plan for your state and situation?

A more focused analysis of 529 plan portfolio performance net of costs and state income tax breaks yields results that differ from traditional 529 plan ratings.

Let's break it down.

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