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 January 24, 2023

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 College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 19, 2024

You must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year in order to qualify for any type of federal or institutional financial aid for college. This information is passed onto colleges you listed on the application. If you’re accepted to the school, they’ll send what’s called a “Financial Aid Offer Letter.” However, …

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 …

financial advice & planning, questions & answers

What Does the Student Loan Repayment Extension Mean for You?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

If you’ve got federal student loans and are following the latest updates, you’ve definitely heard about the latest student loan repayment extension. On December 21, 2021, President Biden announced that the student loan repayment pause would be extended from January 31, 2022 to May 1, 2022. The additional 90 days of no payments has students …

financial aid

Best College Financial Aid Resources for the New Year

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2023

Whether you’re waiting to hear back from colleges, know which school you will be attending in the fall, or are a junior in high school, financial aid resources can make college much more affordable. Which should you be paying attention to in 2022? FAFSA One of the most important financial aid resources you need to …

scholarship search & applications, scholarships

Interesting Scholarships for Art Majors

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2023

Scholarships aren’t just about top grades or financial need. There are actually quite a few “interesting” ones out there, and you may just qualify for a few! Here are three examples of interesting scholarships that can help you showcase your artistic abilities. Doodle for Google Have a knack for design? Then you may just want …