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'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.

• You need good credit to borrow
• You need to have borrowed to establish a credit history 
• You cannot borrow before age 18
• Your'e heading to college and need good credit to pay for tuition and other expenses

Which comes first, borrowing or good credit?

Having good credit is just as important to help ensure your stability and help you successfully do things such as rent an apartment, buy or lease a car, and even get a good job. Maintaining good credit is very important to your future and will afford you many opportunities that would otherwise be impossible. It can show stability, consistency, responsibility, and maturity – all of which are positive traits that can help you succeed in life. Below, are some helpful tips on building and managing a good credit profile.

How low did we go?

To increase the completion rate of critical college financial aid forms, particularly from high school seniors in historically underrepresented urban schools, the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) and its College Planning Center today launched a comprehensive grassroots campaign aimed at getting more financial aid to students interested in attending college.

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.

There’s no better time to learn how to skimp and save than when you are in college! Chances are, you’re on a tight budget. We all know the stress that comes with such restriction, so we’ve put together this handy list of ways to penny-pinch.

By Invite Education

The recent tax bill expands 529 savings plans to include expenses for elementary and secondary education. And, the annual gift tax exclusion has increased. This is big news for education savers – no matter how much you are saving!

Congress wanted to make it easier to save for education. Traditionally, 529 plans have been used to cover college costs only, making 529 savings plans the go-to option to save for college for many families.

As a new college grad, saving any money may seem like a far-off pipe-dream. We are here to tell you that saving is possible for just about anyone. Saving takes diligence - and sometimes means making sacrifices - but a little bit can go a long way in helping you reach your goals. 

Your child has made a big commitment by choosing to go to college. Likewise, you are putting a large commitment in your child by agreeing to pay for college. But many parents, like yourself, can't help but wonder, "how the heck am I going to pay for this?"

The sticker price on a college education can no doubt lead to shock. If you see that number and wonder how to pay for college with no money, know that there are options available. Most families these days don't pay the sticker price published on a college website.

Here's what you can do so you don't need to either. 

Have you ever checked your bank statement and saw that you spent $60 on Uber, $150 going out to eat and $75 on your new fall wardrobe in a month? Yikes! Cue the big sigh and panic. You may have thought, "how am I going to pay my bills, put gas in my car and buy textbooks for the class I've just enrolled in?"

When you break down your expenses into categories such as food, transportation, incidentals, etc, you might be surprised how much you're actually spending. Think about how many hours you had to work for each transaction you made. Was it worth the long hours standing on your feet working retail or running around bussing tables? Hmm.... All of those "little" expenses add up and make a huge difference! 

It's time to come up with a plan to minimize spending, so here are our tips for budget conscious college students.