Let's talk Student Loans!

Happy New Year!! It is January, which means that it is time to return to class! The holiday break has ended and now it is back to the grind for the semester. But this is also an important time for financial reasons. Usually after Jan. 1, both returning college students and high school seniors applying to college are able to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form allows students to view their eligibility for certain federal grants and loans. Recently, students and their parents are to fill out the application as early as October. (See www.fafsa.ed.gov, but we will talk about this more soon. 

This month, I want to focus on why I am not fond of student loans. Scholarships and grants are wonderful sources of financial aid to pay for school costs. Student loans can be beneficial, too, but often they can be misused and lead to financial instability even after graduation. While unexpected expenses can arise throughout one's college years, it sometimes the lack of knowledge and immaturity about finances that lead to large amouts of debt. I feel that if more information--realistic, not-sugar-coated information about student loans is expressed while in high school and first year of college, then maybe students will have better undergraduate and post-graduate financial statuses.

In an effort to help decrease the need of student loans, I  introduce my ​4 Cs: cost, character, career goals, and curriculum. There is no set order to discussing these topics, so my order is random. Nevertheless, understanding these four areas will hopefully provide further information into not only the improper use of student loans, but how you can succeed around and/or without them. Stay tuned!