financial advice & planning

The Basics of Credit and Why Is It Important for Your Financial Future

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 12, 2025

Credit is an integral part of building a solid financial future. It determines your ability to get a line of credit in the form of credit cards and loans. It also impacts the cost of borrowing. While good credit can make borrowing a breeze, bad credit can severely restrict your options. Let’s explore more about …

financial advice & planning

Roth vs. 529 – Which Is Better?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Roth IRAs and 529s are two types of tax-friendly accounts that can help families save for college tuition. As with any other type of saving program, neither one is best for all families, and both offer great benefits. Each has its own downsides too. Understanding the fundamentals of Roth vs. 529 can help you decide …

financial advice & planning

Should You Have a Credit Card in College?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 22, 2023

Using a credit card in college has a lot of benefits, from everyday convenience to peace of mind in emergencies and most significant of all, the opportunity to build credit. So, should you have a credit card in college? You should consider getting a credit card in college if you’re sure you’ll use the card …

financial advice & planning

5 Ways To Save for College

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Open a 529 Put Money into a Custodial Account Open a Coverdell Education Savings Account Start a Roth IRA Open a Traditional Savings Account College tuition is frightfully expensive and out of reach for most families in America. What’s worse is that the fees keep increasing every year. Most families take on thousands of dollars …

financial advice & planning, student loans

Student Loan Payments Paused Until May 01, 2022 – Should You Pay Anyway?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 29, 2023

There are some compelling benefits to making federal student loan payments even though the pause has been extended. However, this may not necessarily be the best option for everyone. Whether you should pay or not depends largely on your financial circumstances. The student loan pause or forbearance was initiated by the federal government in 2020 …

financial advice & planning, student loans

What Happens When Student Loan Payment Pause Ends? What Are My Options?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

The student loan payment pause ends on May 1, 2022. It was put in place to offer temporary relief to student borrowers affected by the COVID pandemic. Only federal student loans held by the U.S. Department of Education are eligible for the payment pause and interest waiver. The program was initiated on March 13, 2020 …

financial advice & planning, student loans

Should I Refinance My Federal Student Loans Before The Moratorium Ends?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

The federal student loan moratorium is set to end May 1, 2022. Loan payments as well as interest are set to resume after that. The question on most borrowers’ mind right now is: ‘Should I refinance my federal student loans before the moratorium ends?’. It’s not surprising that everyone’s got refinancing on their mind. Interest …

financial advice & planning

What are UGMA and UTMA Accounts? The Benefits of Each

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

UGMA and UTMA accounts are types of custodial accounts that work as college savings options. UGMA stands for Uniform Gift to Minors Act and UTMA stands for Uniform Transfer to Minors Act accounts. Both are similar in many ways but there are a few significant differences between the two. What Are UTMA And UGMA Accounts? …

financial advice & planning, student loans

12 Things To Do Before Student Loan Payments Restart On May 01, 2022

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 5, 2025

Initiated as a COVID-19 emergency relief measure in early 2020, the student payment pause has been extended several times over the past two years. The latest extension was announced by President Joe Biden in mid-December 2021. According to that announcement, student loan payments restart on May 01, 2022. The two year payment pause has given …

financial advice & planning, financial aid

How to read your FAFSA results

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 23, 2026

Key takeaways: Most students receive their FAFSA results within three days on the FSA website. Your Student Aid Report will detail your Student Aid Index, estimated financial aid package, and more. Colleges use your FAFSA to determine financial aid packages, including grants, scholarships, and loans. You must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid …