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 aid, scholarships

Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 22, 2025

Did you know there are specific financial aid programs for students with disabilities? You may qualify for federal aid, scholarships, state assistance, or additional school aid designed for you as well as other sources of financial aid. Below, we’ve outlined some ways you can make college more affordable, including several scholarships dedicated to future and …

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 …

financial aid, scholarship search & applications, scholarships

Scholarships: What’s Out There? How Do You Get Them?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 19, 2024

The search for scholarships can feel a bit overwhelming. After all, how do you get started? How do you actually find these awards? And what do you do when you find them? We’ll give you a rundown of questions you may have during your search, but also show you the easiest and less stressful way …

financial advice & planning

Do You Really Need A Credit Card?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

Frustrating as it may sound, the answer to ‘do you really need a credit card’ is – it depends. That’s true. Whether you really need a credit card depends on a number of factors, primarily your financial goals and your spending habits. There’s no doubt a credit card offers some powerful benefits, from helping finance …