The College Money Insider Back-to-College Checklist

August 10, 2011 | posted by Jeff Sheely. 1 comment

back to college checklistIn just a couple of weeks, many colleges around the US will open their doors for fall semester. But before you rush off to college (either again or for the very first time) read through the checklist below for great resources to be prepared financially for the school year, and to help you save money on common college expenses. We’ve written a lot of helpful articles over the past year, and this is a great way for you to see several of them all in one place.

August 2011 Scholarships

August 4, 2011 | posted by College Money Insider. 1 comment

august-2011-scholarshipsThey’re here! Check out the scholarships below ending in August. We publish a list of scholarships you can apply for every month, so be sure to subscribe to College Money Insider today so that you never miss an update!

To find more even more scholarships, read our post on How to Find Scholarships Using Google.

Good luck!

3 Tips for Shopping Around for Student Loans

August 2, 2011 | posted by Jeff Sheely. 1 comment

shopping-around-student-loansIf you’ve been doing any research online about financial aid and student loans recently, chances are that you’ve heard that you should shop around for your loans. That’s true, but how do you shop around? What does it really mean to consider all of your options, and how do you know that are getting as much information as you can?

Assuming that you have already received your financial aid award letter and have maximized your federal financial aid options (including federal student loans, grants, and work study), here are 3 great tips for shopping around for private student loans to cover the rest of the money you need for college. If you have any questions, let us know!

If Only There Was a Marketplace for Every Tough Decision…

July 28, 2011 | posted by College Money Insider. Leave a comment.

Our interns at the Student Loan Marketplace recently put together a video about tough decisions. Choosing between a wide range of options can be confusing. Luckily, the Marketplace simplifies the complex process of choosing a student loan. If only other decisions were that easy…

Private Student Loan Co-Signing 101

July 26, 2011 | posted by Jeff Sheely. Leave a comment.

private student loan cosigner 101Students who are getting ready to go to college and are in need of a private student loan may need a co-signer in order be approved. When determining an applicant’s eligibility, lenders look for credit history, income, and the ability to repay the loan. A student just out of high school may not meet all of the necessary loan eligibility criteria on his/her own, which is why having a credit-worthy co-signer is a good idea for many people.

Below are some of the commonly asked questions regarding private student loan co-signing. Here you will find information for students who need a loan and for people who are considering co-signing a student loan. If you have any questions, feel free to use the Ask the Experts page!