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Sounds like a crazy theory, right? I bet your thinking “If I had the money, I wouldn’t have needed a loan!” Well, let’s break it down a bit and it may not be that crazy after all. Just paying back a little could make a big difference.

There’s nothing better than vacation, right? Hopefully your winter break was restful and you are recharged and ready to get back at it.  Adjusting back to those 8 AM classes, a new roommate, and/or a new job isn't always easy, but it's important to get back into a routine so that you don't fall behind on schoolwork and extracurricular activities. But now as you head back to your high school or college campus, we have some tips for you to finish out the year strong!

Yes, refinancing student loans can save you money.  “Can” being the operative word.  Several factors can make refinancing great for some folks and not the best solution for others.  Refinancing student loans can accomplish different goals for different people and in some cases more than one goal can be achieved depending on the individual circumstances.  We have outlined three common goals our customers have conveyed.

As winter vacation and the holidays come to an end, it is time to get back on track when it comes to college planning. January tends to be a slower month for both high school juniors and seniors, resulting in an easy transition back into school mode. But don't let the month pass you by. Be proactive and take the next steps to build a successful future. Stay on track with these timelines and tips.

 College Planning Timeline for Juniors [Infographic] | College Planning Timeline for Seniors [Infographic]

Not the traditional list of shopping, wrapping gifts, baking traditional treats and preparations for winter break get-a-way. This is more of a reminder list to take advantage of some downtown over the holidays to be sure everything is on track for college planning. We’ve put together a quick list for both Seniors and Juniors.

'Tis the season to talk financial aid and the experts from our College Planning Center have been talking about financial aid with students and families, one-on-one, as well as in group presentations at local high schools almost daily since September and are still going strong.

EFC is the acronym for Expected Family Contribution, which answers the question, how much will college cost my family? This is not an easy figure to arrive at, without knowing the factors and figures needed for the formula, but with the help of our EFC Calculator we can walk you through this step-by-step in just a few minutes so you can arrive at an early estimate before receiving your award package.

The RISLA College Planning Center will once again be hosting FAFSA Completion Events across the state of Rhode Island to help students, parents, and adult learners with completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA, formally known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the first step to applying for college financial aid. All schools use this application for awarding federal student aid dollars and many also use it for awarding their own institutional funds. EVERYONE should complete a FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.

In simplest terms, the CSS Profile form is an additional requirement for many private schools when applying for financial aid. The CSS Profile administered by the College Board is required by about 400 colleges and universities to determine aid eligibility for non-government financial aid. Click here to see if your school requires a CSS Profile and be sure to check the school’s deadline.

It's time to start applying for financial aid for college. Which means, FAFSA season is here and can be overwhelming to many. So, let’s break this down into the basic need to know facts one-by-one.