Tools to Help You Make Smart College Money Decisions
Next to purchasing a home, college will probably be one of the biggest financial investments you will ever make. It can be scary thinking about spending $10,000, $20,000 or even more money each year you are in school (yikes!). That’s why it’s so important to understand how the financial decisions you make now can affect your future.
Sure, you could plunge blindly into the college waters and hope that you stay afloat, but why should you when there are so many free online tools available to help? Before you make any decisions regarding your future, check out these five tools that can help you make smart college money decisions and put you on the path to a healthy financial future.
1. Federal Student Aid
There is a plethora of information on this website, including: how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), eligibility guidelines for federal grants and student loans, and even a budgeting section. You can learn how to track your income and expenses, save for necessary items, and even budget for those unplanned expenses that always seem to creep up at the most inopportune moment.
Once you graduate from college, there’s even a section to help you determine which student loan website plan is best for you.
2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
You may think that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) only helps those who are having trouble with their credit or lenders, but it’s also a great tool for deciding which colleges are offering you the best financial aid packages. The CFPB website hosts a nifty tool (it’s free!) that allows you to compare up to three school financial aid offers side-by-side.
The tool will calculate your debt at graduation and your anticipated monthly payment, allowing you to compare the financial impact of your decision before you even make one.
3. Adventures in Education
Not sure if you should work while you are in college to help keep down your overall student loan debt? You may want to check out Adventures in Education’s “Work More or Borrow for College” section.
Studies have shown that students who work get burned out and may graduate later than those who do not, so the amount of money you may save may not be worth it in the end. Do the math and see which path is right for you.
4. CashCourse
This free tool from the National Endowment for Financial Education has a ton of resources to help you make smart money decisions. You can learn how to choose the right bank account, make smart choices about credit cards, and even get tips about budgeting for a study abroad trip – just to a name a few.
Pretty much everything you need is here to get you from high school to your first paying job as a college graduate. By the way, you also have a chance to win a $1,500 scholarship!
5. Unigo
College is expensive, so you really shouldn’t make a decision before you understand your return on education™, otherwise known as MyROE™. That’s where Unigo comes in handy.
Not only can this free college planning tool help you find the perfect college based on your goals, anticipated college major, and other personal preferences, but it can also help you find the college that will give you the best return on your investment. If you don’t want to graduate drowning in student loan debt, visit Unigo.com before making any commitments.