Wondering which students and families actually get merit-based scholarships and grants at private colleges? We have the data.

Parents of college-bound children who are considering high-cost private non-profit colleges often wonder how to qualify for institutional financial aid. These grants and scholarships may or may not really be based on merit, but rather function as a discount on the cost of attendance.

Students who want to increase their chances of receiving an institutional merit grant at a private non-profit 4-year college should apply to moderately selective colleges (especially higher-cost colleges), have stellar grades and test scores, pick wealthy parents, do not take a gap year and enroll in college full-time.

We look all the statistics of which students are getting institutional merit grants.

When your student loans are discharged due to disability, you may be limited in whether you can work or go to school for a period of time. Otherwise, your student loans may be reinstated.

This can be an especially difficult issue to navigate if your loans are discharged while you're attending school, or plan to. And it can happen even if you never planned on asking for a disability discharge.

Here's what to know about disability discharge, and how to navigate your choices if your loans are automatically forgiven.

Student loan forgiveness applies to a variety of degrees, even trade schools. So even if you went to a trade school, vocational school, or apprenticeship program, you could be eligible to get your student loans forgiven.

If you attended school for HVAC repair, cosmetology, the culinary arts, or any other trade program, your student loans could qualify for one of these student loan forgiveness programs.

We cover the factors that make trade school student loans unique, and how you can figure out whether your trade school loans qualify for loan forgiveness.

Paying for college isn’t just about covering tuition. It’s about understanding what happens when life takes a turn and what protections exist if it does.

Each year, families across the country commit thousands of dollars toward college without fully understanding the terms behind the payment. If a student gets sick or has to take a leave during the semester, even for a serious medical reason, many schools don’t refund tuition. Housing and fees can be nonrefundable. Grants may be forfeited. And student loans may still need to be repaid, even without a completed term to show for it.

That’s why understanding school refund policies and looking into tuition insurance before the semester starts can help families avoid financial stress if a student’s college experience is interrupted. With tuition topping $25,000 a year at many public universities and twice that at private schools, a few hours of research can mean the difference between peace of mind and unexpected debt.

We’re partnering with GradGuard to help you understand how tuition insurance can protect your investment. GradGuard is a leading tuition insurance source, with affordable coverage. Get a quote or learn more here >>

After years of payments, pauses, and paperwork, many public service workers are confused on what payments and time periods may count for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

However, there are also more options to have qualifying periods count - thanks to the PSLF buyback program.

If you've been stuck in the SAVE forbearance, served in the military, or paused your payments for economic hardship, you might be closer to loan forgiveness than you think.

But there’s a catch: the buyback program is only available to borrowers who are already near the finish line.

It also raises a question: if you’re just a handful of months away from forgiveness and in forbearance, should you apply for buyback? Or wait and risk getting stuck? Or switch repayment plans and start making payments again?

College move-in day is filled with excitement, but new students often learn quickly that shared living spaces come with unexpected risks. And if you’re not careful, even small accidents can be expensive.

From laptop spills to missing laundry, a range of common mishaps can cause financial stress.

In partnership with GradGuard, we’re going to highlight the most common dorm disasters you can face. GradGuard Renters Insurance Plan can help you manage the financial aspect of these disasters and you can make sure that you’re protected financially if something happens. Get a quote here >>

As you settle into dorm life, understanding these risks and how to manage them can prevent bigger problems later on.

Robert was on MoneyLife with Chuck Jaffe this week talking about the current status of student loans. Tune in to hear Robert's thoughts on what's going on with student loans today.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans provide affordable monthly student loan payments by basing the payments on a portion of the borrower’s discretionary income, as opposed to the amount they owe.

Generally, IDR plans will yield lower student loan payments when the borrower’s total student loan debt exceeds their annual income. However, there are ways to decrease the student loan payments even further.

Monthly student loan payments under IDR plans are based on a percentage of discretionary income. There are legitimate ways of reducing discretionary income and thereby reducing the student loan payment.

Discretionary income is calculated by subtracting a multiple of the poverty line from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Discretionary income may be reduced by reducing AGI or by increasing the applicable poverty line.

Of course, avoid fraudulent tactics like underreporting income or falsely inflating family size, as these carry severe penalties.