College Money Matters Newsletters
Each of our newsletters focuses on a specific way you can help keep college affordable. Scroll through this archive and click on the topic of your choice.
April 2025
Decision time: What to know before you choose a college.
- How to compare financial aid packages
- What are the different types of loans?
- How much is safe to borrow?
- What to do if the college you want costs more than you can afford
- Sources of unbiased information about paying for college
March 2025
Thinking of getting a student loan? Do the math first.
Try the new loan cost estimators from College Money Matters
- Calculator 1: How much will your loan cost you?
- Calculator 2: How your monthly payments affect how much you can borrow
- Calculator 3: How will a Parent PLUS Loan fit into your family budget?
Other resources:
- Enter specific amounts with this loan calculator
- Detailed student loan calculator
February 2025
Know your college costs before you make your decision
- Decide on your college budget
- Find out which colleges are in your price range
- Choose where to apply
- Estimate your financial aid offers
- Calculate your personal cost of college
October 2024
The college and financial aid deadlines you need to know
- Keeping your college search organized
- College and financial aid deadlines: A timeline of key dates to keep in mind from September to May
May 2024
Making The FAFSA Delays Work For You
- Fewer FAFSA applications could mean schools have a greater need for students
- An opportunity to appeal for more time or more financial aid
- Some helpful do’s and don’ts
March 2024
How to Turn FAFSA Delays To Your Advantage
- Evaluate all your options now so you won’t feel rushed into making a decision
- Calculate in advance what your loans might cost you
- How much should you “stretch” for a dream school?
February 2024
Are more expensive schools really better?
- Are more expensive schools really better?
- What makes a college worth its price to you?
- What do students really want from college?
January 2024
Expert advice on what to expect from the new FAFSA
- How much better is the new “better” FAFSA?
- Issues you may face with the new FAFSA
November 2023
Getting ahead of your application situation
- Great places to find scholarships and grants
- Why you should get a FAFSA ID
- A worthwhile webinar on keeping college affordable
October 2023
Where you apply matters: How to be financially smart from the start
- Having “the talk”: Setting boundaries for college costs
- Financial aid: Free money vs long-term loans
- Scholarships: Where to look and why to apply early
September 2023
Your guide to keeping college affordable
- Your guide to keeping college affordable
- Coming attractions for the 2023-2024 school year
April 2023
Parent PLUS College Loans: How Much is Too Much Love?
- How Parent PLUS Loans became a debt problem
- Fees and interest rates: The costs of a Parent PLUS Loan
- What’s a parent to do? Some options.
March 2023
What every parent or relative should know about co-signing a student loan
- Co-signing questions and answers
- What every parent or relative should know about co-signing a student loan
- Be mindful of marketing tactics and techniques
February 2023
Some less obvious things you might want to think about when choosing a college
- Questions about getting your money’s worth
- Questions that help you picture your years in college
- A big question about how many years you might spend in school
November 2022
Things you may not know about applying for scholarships
- Things you may not know about applying for scholarships
- Your local or state government may offer scholarships
- How to save time searching for scholarships online
Fall 20222
Why Every College-Bound Student Should Have a Financial Safety School
- Why every college-bound student should have a financial safety school
- Yes, it’s time to have that awkward discussion with your teenager