I’ve been asked a few times are scholarships a taxable event?

The answer may surprise you. The answer is yes and no depending upon the variables and its usage.

Degree candidates (that is a student who is taking classes that will ultimately be used to earn a degree) do not need to report scholarship money that is used for qualified educational expenses. That would include (more…)

The surprising reason why high-earners will qualify for thousands in college financial aid.  

You may not believe this, but please, read on.

AZ College Planning constantly talks about how even millionaires should apply for college financial aid, even if they think they won't qualify.

Before I get to the story I read today, let me give you a little background on college admissions. Background that you'll never hear anywhere else. (more…)

How to Survive the Current Stock Market Crash….With Your Money AND Your Sanity Intact & how it will affect your college savings programs.

By Ron Caruthers
Wednesday, October 08, 2008

In the last few weeks, I’ve taken more calls from nervous clients than I did in all of the rest of the 18 years that I’ve been in the financial industry put together. Especially given that the market has gone down in the last 5 straight sessions, and 6 out of the last 7, I thought I’d take a moment to address what’s really going on, and why you’re probably better off staying put, even if you hate me for saying it. (more…)

The “green” college award goes to Rio Salado Community College!
 
According to an audit by consultant Danielle Tomerlin, Rio Salado had a carbon footprint of 0.34 tons of carbon dioxide for 2007-08. That’s substantially below the average of 8 to 12 tons a year for about 600 schools surveyed in the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Other colleges that are doing their best to “go green” include (more…)

You're on a need to know basis and you need to know how the new subsidized/unsubsidized Stafford loan program works.

The federal Stafford loan program was modified on Aug. 14, 2008.  Starting with the basics of this nearly 20-year old program:  the Stafford loan is an entitlement for undergraduate college students. 

With an approved FAFSA form, a Freshman student is (more…)

AZ College Planning always advises students and parents to take a closer look at whether borrowing makes financial sense. This of course is based on the individual family situation and the student's potential future income. Your student may graduate with student loans that will be due (typically 4 ½ years after disbursement). The difficult question you have to ask is (more…)

A popular site for student loans, the cleverly named MyRichUncle.com, has slammed the brakes on its student lending activities.

Here is what it says on their website:
Thank you for your interest in MyRichUncle. At this time, we have paused our private student loan program. Due to continued (more…)

these are the links to see J.D. on Good Morning Arizona

Episode 1 air date 8/27/08 http://www.azfamily.com/video/gmaz-index.html?nvid=276518
College is expensive, where should you start

Episode 2 (more…)

Here are three tips for hopeful college students filling out college applications, essays and college interviews.

1. Not being prepared. Know the deadlines (earlier is better) know what the school wants and the timeline. Does the school require (more…)

Yesterday I mentioned about a settlement by a bunch of the biggest student lenders in the country, whom NY Attorney General Cuomo alleged were engaged in deceptive lending practices. See the article titled “Deceptive student loan practice, caught in the act”.

The Wall Street Journal ran another article about different insidious little danger you need to guard yourself against and warn your students:  the "New Card on Campus: Prepaid Debit."

The short of it is that these babies are loaded up with excessive (more…)