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The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) announced today that it has suspended repayment of college loans for federal employees currently not being paid, including military personnel, throughout the duration of the government shutdown.

Research conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that students who work less than twenty hours per week have a higher GPA than non-working students. Due to the rising costs of college and declining affordability, working while in college is necessary for many students as they use this income to support themselves financially while being away from home. The more students earn while in college, the less they will have to borrow  to pay for school and working while in school also helps students learn to keep themselves organized, manage their time, and understand how to prioritize.

Even the most savvy job-hunters are likely to make some mistakes as they start to build and manage their personal brands. Here are some of the most common ways that students fail to successfully portray themselves online - and how you can avoid these branding faux pas.

It happens to all of us who borrowed for college: notifications from lenders that your student loan payments will soon be due. It's time to craft a plan of attack. 

Many college-bound students and their families have fallen for the dangerous myth: "I won't qualify for aid so I'm not going to apply." The reality is, everyone should file the FAFSA, even if they think they may not qualify. The FAFSA is absolutely free to fill out and it can give families money to help cover the rising cost of college. Below is a quick rundown of what you could be eligible for by filing the FAFSA.

Don't leave free money on the table!!

October 1 has come and gone, which means it's time to fill out the FAFSA for the 2019/20 academic year! Creating an FSA ID is the very first step to take in applying for financial aid. An FSA ID is a username and password that allows students and parents to access federal student aid systems and "sign" the FAFSA online. Both the parent and student need one in order to file the FAFSA. For a run down of common FSA ID mistakes to avoid, check out the video below!

Approximately 20 million students choose to attend a post-secondary institution every year.  Many students and their families struggle with where to start in the college planning process. Figuring out which schools might be a good fit, which career path to take, and how to pay for college are just a few of the many things that worry families. Rhode Island might be a small state, but it has a large amount of free resources available to help Rhode Islander's plan for college.

Filing the FAFSA can qualify Rhode Islanders for financial aid for college; Free assistance is available to help families apply for aid

Have you been playing sports for as long as you can remember? Has it been your dream to play sports in college? Collegiate sports provide opportunities to learn, compete, and succeed. Student-athletes receive academic support, medical care, and access to outstanding coaching, facilities, and equipment. Plus, student-athletes tend to graduate at higher rates than the general student body and feel better prepared for life after college.

Test optional.  Test Flexible. Test Blind.  Over the past few years, many colleges have made changes in how your standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) play a role in their admission decision.  What do these different terms mean for you as you plan to complete your college applications?