Concerned about making wise money decisions in college and beyond? Here are some resources on a wide spectrum of money topics that will help!

(Thanks to the Student Loan Outfitters Program, a division of the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, for providing a lot of this information.)

 

 

Understanding Student Loans

This section of the page will help you to:
1. Understand the student debt nationally
2. Learn the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans
3. Understand the impact of interest on your debt load
4. Have a realistic expectation of potential starting salary
5. Understand the consequences of defaulting on a student loan

Understanding Student Loans

Other Helpful Forms:
Loan Terms
Average Income and Loans
Average Yearly Starting Salary
Evaluating Loans

 

 

Understanding Consolidation

This section of the page will help you to:
1. Learn about consolidation in general
2. Understand available consolidation options
3. Decide which student loans to consolidate
4. Avoid consolidation scammers

Learn About Consolidating Your Loans

 

 

Budgeting in College

This section of the page will help you to:
1. Determine what is important to you
2. Set your goals
3. Determine your income and expenses
4. Make a spending plan
5. Stick to your spending plan
6. Evaluate your spending plan
7. Manage your budget

Create Your Budget

Other Helpful Forms:
Budget Spending Plan FAQs
Blank Budget
Create Your Budget
Budget Goals
Budgeting Tips
Tracking Spending

 

 

Credit Cards and Reports

This section of the page will help you to:
1. Understand the different types of credit
2. Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards
3. Recognize common mistakes in using credit
4. Understand what's in a credit file
5. Understand your rights and responsibilities under laws related to consumer credit
6. Order a copy of your credit report
7. Decide what to do if you can't pay your bills

Learn About Credit Cards and Reports

Other Helpful Forms:
Consumer Rights
Credit Terms I
Credit Terms II
How Much Credit Debt?
How To Read Your Credit Report
Overdraft Protection
Sample Statement

 

 

Money Decisions Beyond College

This section of the page will help you to:
1. See the advantages of starting an investment plan early
2. Know the importance of saving regularly
3. Set goals
4. Investigate different investment options
5. Understand criteria for selecting investments
6. Know advantages and disadvantages of five types of investments

Learn About Money Decisions After College

Other Helpful Forms:
Loan Consolidation
Savings Web Resources

 

 

Car Insurance, Retirement and Investing, Life Insurance and Health Insurance

(Special Thanks to Ramsey Weeks, Inc. for providing the following information)

For information on car insurance, click on the following file:
Car Insurance Information

For information on retirment and investing, click on the following file:
Retirement/Investing Information

For information on life insurance, click on the following links:
Life Insurance Guide
Financial Planning
Tax Advantage Information

For information on Health Insurance, click on the following link:
Health Insurance Information