Jean Chatzky blog :: The Difference :: Personal finance, debt, and money advice » College

Money 911: Financing graduate school

Jean — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:31:06 +0000

This morning on Today’s Money 911, we heard from a woman in her 50′s who wants to go back to school and get a graduate degree, but also has two kids approaching college aid. Is there a way to pay for it all? To see what we told her, plus how to get rid of unwanted time-shares, check out the video clip below.

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Money 911: Applying for store credit cards

Jean — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:01:56 +0000

During the holidays, many retailers try to entice you to sign up for their store credit card by promising additional deals and savings. So should you take the bait? To find out the answer to that question — plus tips on balancing medical bills and paying for school — check out the video clip below.

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Newsweek: The cost of unpaid internships

Jean — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:03:18 +0000

In spite of ongoing headlines about legality issues and claims of slave-like labor, today’s college students are pursuing internship opportunities with unparalleled vigor — more than half of the class of 2011 had one, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. And nearly half of these students were not paid for their work.

But here’s a dirty little secret about unpaid internships that colleges and employers alike aren’t telling you: these aren’t just zero-sum deals. Many of these unpaid internships require that the student receive credit at his or her university. But in order to get credit, you have to pay — and pay a lot, in some cases.

In my latest piece for Newsweek, I delve into the ins and outs of these unpaid internships — and provide some tips on how to afford them.

Money 911: Should you dip into your IRA to pay off debt?

Jean — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:41:04 +0000

This morning on Money 911, we heard from a woman who wanted to raid her retirement account to pay off credit card debt. To see what we told her — as well as whether it’s better to get a fixed or variable rate student loan — check out the video clip below.

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New York Daily News: Your student loan payback plan

Jean — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:35:32 +0000

On Tuesday, President Obama announced a new plan to help ease the burden of student loans, vowing to use his executive power to expedite a program that will cap loan payments at 10% of a graduate’s income. This was a timely announcement, as two weeks ago the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that the amount of outstanding student loans in this country has reached the $100 billion mark. The numbers are frightening, to be sure, but the reality is that paying off your student debt doesn’t have to be quite so scary. In my latest New York Daily News column, I outline the simple steps you need to take to effectively pay off your loans.

Today’s Money: The burden of student loan debt

Jean — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:27:14 +0000

For the first time ever, the outstanding balance of student loans in the U.S will reach $1 trillion this year. As tuition prices have soared, families are struggling to keep up — and are often taking on a higher debt load than they should. This morning on Today, I spoke with Savannah about the value of a college degree, and offered up some simple rules of thumb for borrowing. To see our conversation, check out the video clip below.

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Money 911: Paying for college with grants

Jean — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:50:58 +0000

This morning on Today‘s Money 911, we spoke to a woman whose daughter is working a part-time job, but it’s not enough to cover the cost of college. To see what we told her — as well as how to set a budget, pay off multiple credit cards and improve your credit score — check out the video clip below.

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New York Daily News: College savings tips you can use before your first semester

mmcgrath — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:50:03 +0000

According to a recent study by finaid.org’s Mark Kantrowitz, less than 7% of students at for-profit colleges graduate with no debt. The cost per semester at these schools is nearing $37,000 per year. It may seem impossible, but there are ways to save on higher education. In my latest New York Daily News column, I give you some money-saving moves you can use before even entering your freshman dorm. Check it out.

New York Daily News: Budget Control Act and student debt

Jean — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:36:34 +0000

The Budget Control Act of 2011 may have raised the debt ceiling — a much needed act, lest you’ve forgotten — but it also had a few negative effects. In my latest New York Daily News column, I talk about what the BCA means for grad students and repayment incentives — and what you can do to minimize its impact on you.

Newsweek: College students and financial literacy

Jean — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:28:56 +0000

The class of 2011 graduated with more than just a diploma. They graduated with an average $22,900 in student loans and an additional $4,138 in credit card debt. These smarty pants may be able to speak Mandarin and dissect Faulkner’s greatest works, but when it comes to living on a budget and basic financial literacy, most of these grads don’t have a clue. To get them on track, I revealed 5 useful tips in my latest Newsweek article. Take a look!