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Many students and families cannot write out just one check in order to pay the tuition bill in full for each college semester.  If that’s the case, you may want to try satisfying that bill with smaller amounts from various sources to give you a sustainable and repeatable strategy for each semester going forward to pay for college, while also trying to reduce long term debt.

The “new normal”.  Hopefully the new normal includes seeing many more students, safely back on campus, enjoying the higher education journey. With that being said, we are happy to announce that this year, RISLA is offering our lowest student loan rates in our history of offering non-federal, private student loans for students attending school.

People choose to volunteer for a multitude of reasons. For some, it gives them a chance to give back to the community or improve the lives of people around them. But others volunteer because they are looking to gain skills and connect with like-minded people. Regardless of the reason, volunteering can do more for you than you may realize.

For new grads, employment hinges on just a few variables. What type of work experience do you have and what have you learned on the job? What interests you and why are you approaching the employer about the opportunity? And then, the great divider for entry level applicants: how did you perform academically?

Gone are the days when your parents told you when it was time to wake up, do your homework, clean your room, or do your laundry. College is the time when you are transitioning from being a teenager to a real adult (liberating and scary, I know)!

In order to be successful, self discipline is essential. When you don't have anyone telling you what to do, it can be very difficult to turn down a sporting event or party so you can write a paper or study. But without self-discipline, you could find yourself falling behind on your school work which can be difficult to recover from.

Understanding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may seem like a challenge at first. Once you add the complexity of a special circumstance or  divorce, completing the FAFSA may feel like a down right headache.

Although your situation may seem like receiving financial aid is impossible, don't let it stop you from putting your best foot forward. You are not the only person experiencing this state of affairs and most likely you won't be the last. Here are a  few examples of special circumstances and how to handle them when completing the FAFSA.