Accelerated degree programs are rapidly gaining momentum as a smart, strategic path for students eager to minimize debt and maximize lifetime earnings. These programs, offered by a growing number of universities, allow students to complete their degrees in less time- often 18 months to three years- than the traditional four or more years. The financial … Read more
As America’s economy evolves in 2025, the skilled trades are experiencing a renaissance. For many, the career choice of pursuing a trade has become front and center, pushing college off to the side. While the full impact of the Trump tariffs is yet to be fully understood, the tariffs create a new national focus on … Read more
f you aim to enter a skilled-trade with minimal student debt, your best bet is to pursue a path that allows you to apprentice while earning a wage — essentially getting paid to learn. Below are some of the easiest-to-enter skilled trades that fit that bill. These trades typically: 🔧 1. Electrician 🛠️ 2. Plumber ❄️ 3. HVAC Technician 🔩 4. Welding 🪚 5. Carpentry … Read more
13 Key Realizations To Prepare Me for the Business World I wrapped up my time with a BA in marketing and an MBA after six long, rambling years of college life. Jumping headfirst into the “real world” was like, whoa, things aren’t exactly how they “would be” as portrayed in school. Seriously,while college laid down a bare … Read more
There is no doubt that college is expensive, but there are great careers with significant earning potential that let you skip that six-figure college bill. Many folks assume you need that college diploma for high earnings, but that’s not always the case. In most cases, companies are happy to train you on the fly—think starting … Read more
10 Must-Have Digital Tools for Students in 2025 Today, it is all about working smarter and embracing the latest digital tools will positively impact your productivity. It will change the way you gather information, how you stay organized, and perhaps even save you a little cash. Some are mainstays of student life, but some are … Read more
Trade education has changed a lot over the years. Traditionally, learning a trade meant spending long days with a seasoned professional. However, education has changed not only the traditional classroom, but the way trades are learned as well. Today, the classroom for the trades isn’t always a chalkboard in a workshop. Instead, students participate in … Read more
Thousands of students who took out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans to attended San Francisco’s California Culinary Academy, one of 18 cooking schools in the Le Cordon Bleu for-profit college chain, may be getting some of their money back. Under a pending $40 million settlement in state court, Career Education Corp., Le Cordon Bleu’s parent … Read more
Without additional taxpayer funds next year, the government’s “most important” federal financial aid program may be unable to provide Pell Grants to millions of eligible low-income students, likely pricing these students out of a higher education, according to an article in The New York Times (“Pell Grants Said to Face a Shortfall,” Sept. 17, 2008). In a … Read more
This month, education loan giant Sallie Mae is launching its first fixed-rate private student loan to compete with federal student loans, which have historically been better deals for students because of low, fixed interest rates, as opposed to variable rates, and more protections for borrowers. The private loans will have a fixed interest rate from … Read more
The U.S. Department of Education has been busy transferring large collections of federal Direct student loans to new nonprofit loan-servicing companies in an effort to streamline how education loans are serviced. However, the massive transition is causing some borrowers to suddenly encounter problems with their college loans. The transition, which has been going on for … Read more
A 2005 law that prevented private student loans from being discharged in bankruptcy courts, thereby stripping a vital consumer protection from proprietary college loans that remains available to all other types of consumer loans, should be overturned, according to Sen. Dick Durbin. Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, said at a hearing on Capital Hill last week … Read more
The messages of frustration and dissatisfaction from the Occupy Wall Street protests have targeted unemployment, economic inequity, and healthcare costs. But as the protests have spread to other U.S. cities, as well as cities in countries around the world, debt from student loans has became a larger and louder focus of the protests. The unemployment rate has … Read more
The subsidy that the U.S. Department of Education uses to pay interest on federal student loans for undergraduates while borrowers are enrolled in college has been placed on the table in federal debt limit negotiations. During budget negotiations last week between the White House and Congressional Republicans, Rep. Eric Cantor, the Republican majority leader, reportedly proposed ending … Read more
More than 15 years ago, it was rumored that the University of Michigan was going to go private. Reasons cited mainly related to state budget pressures. Mary Sue Coleman denied these rumors and reiterated the university’s commitment to its public mission. Today, UM remains a public institution primarily serving the Michigan community but attracting students … Read more
Democratic lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have proposed legislation that would make private student loans eligible for discharge under U.S. bankruptcy laws. Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Al Franken of Minnesota introduced the Fairness for Struggling Students Act (S. 3219) in the U.S. Senate on April 15, the same day that Reps. Steve … Read more
Nebraska’s three state colleges-Wayne State College, Peru State College, and Chadron State College-are continuing their commitment to college affordability through the Nebraska State College Tuition Guarantee. This program ensures that qualified Nebraska residents can attend these colleges tuition-free, making higher education more accessible for students from low- and moderate-income families. Who Qualifies? To be eligible … Read more
To help ensure that low-income students can afford a college education in the midst of a recession, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committing nearly $70 million in grants toward its goal of doubling the number of low-income students who earn a college degree or vocational credential by age 26, The New York Times reports (“Gates Grants Aim … Read more
A growing trend in how students apply to college is changing the landscape of college admissions, forcing admissions offices to rethink the number of students the school needs to admit and, in turn, how the school awards its available federal grants, student loans, work-study, and other limited financial aid funds. As colleges and universities provide a … Read more
Unfortunately, high school does not typically prepare you for the transition to the college workload and life. New-found freedom comes with new burdens like planning meals, laundry, and time management. Success in the next level of academics comes from getting a variety of things right that often go well beyond studying. Here are some well-researched … Read more