Denied a mortgage because of student loans? Big banks often inflate $100k balances with fake payments. The 0.5% rule changes the math, and the outcome.
The ‘0.5% Rule’: How to Buy a House with $100k in Student Debt (When Your Bank Says No) Read Post »
Parent has no SSN and your FAFSA is stuck? Here’s the invite code workaround + manual entry tax cheat sheet to submit the 2026–27 form fast (before the March 2 Cal Grant deadline)
FAFSA Parent No SSN (2026–27): Invite Code + Manual Entry Fix (Step-by-Step) Read Post »
Student loan forgiveness may be taxable in 2026. If you get a 1099-C, IRS Form 982 and the insolvency worksheet can reduce, sometimes wipe out, your tax bill. Here is how to run the numbers and file it.
Miss the Cal Grant 2026–27 deadline and the money is gone. Here’s how much you can get, who qualifies, and the exact date that decides it.
Cal Grant 2026-2027: The Cash You Can’t Afford to Miss Read Post »
Many students are updating important documents ahead of January to avoid delays in application and financial aid processing. Here’s why timing matters and what’s driving the rush.
Students Are Rushing to Update These Documents Before January — Here’s Why Read Post »
Student loan forgiveness is no longer tax-free in 2026. Borrowers with high balances could face a surprise IRS tax bill once the exemption expires.
FAFSA may show “processed,” but financial aid offers often take weeks or months to arrive. Colleges review verification flags, institutional aid budgets, and state program timelines before releasing awards, leaving many families waiting without clear updates.
FAFSA Submitted But No Aid Offer Yet? What Schools Are Reviewing Now Read Post »
Filing FAFSA does not automatically trigger institutional aid. Early Decision applicants can lose college grants due to a single Common App financial aid selection.
Early Decision Aid Confusion: FAFSA Filed but No Aid Requested on Common App Read Post »
Missing a single financial aid deadline can cost thousands. Learn six practical ways to stay ahead of requirements and keep your college funding on track.
6 Ways to Organize Your Financial Aid Tasks Before You Miss a Deadline Read Post »
New 2026 financial aid rules are reshaping eligibility for middle-class families. The Student Aid Index, Parent PLUS caps, regional cost gaps, and asset assessments are reducing support for savers. Here’s how these shifts affect real households.
The Middle-Class Squeeze of 2026: Why Financial Aid Formulas Are Punishing Savers Read Post »
