Iowa State Study Abroad Fair Showcases International Opportunities
A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY: More students are taking advantage of diverse study abroad programs at their schools, while still staying on track toward a degree. So how can study abroad enrich our college experience--and beyond--without draining our savings accounts?

No Credit Card Debt at Graduation: Priceless
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CREDIT: Owning at least one credit card has become the norm on college campuses. Nevertheless, credit card ignorance continues to exist at universities throughout the nation.

Student Debt Reaches New Highs
HOW MUCH? The total amount borrowed by students and families in the 2008-2009 year reached $75.1 billion, according to the U.S. Deparment of Education, up more than 25 percent in the last year. How will students pay for it all? Check out the related links and "find out more" links for helpful resources.

Federal Act Could Send $40B into Pell Grant Funding
The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act was passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday, September 17th. If passed into law, it would be considered the largest federal investment in education in American history. How does it help your wallet?

Changes in Credit Card Regulations May Benefit Students
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 has a direct impact on people our age. The first set of changes went into effect in late August. The rest of the Act--including an entire section titled "Protection of Young Consumers"--will go into effect in February of 2010. What exactly will this mean for you and me, is it a good thing, and what can young consumers expect?

FAFSA Streamlining a Boon for Students
FAFSA GETS A TUNE UP: A revamped FAFSA process this June encouraged more students to apply for financial aid. But the best developments, such as a shorter form and internet options, have yet to come. When can we expect changes to be in place? Will alterations make applying for aid easier? Or is this much ado about nothing?

Student Veterans Pinched by Aid Delay
HURRY UP AND WAIT: Classes are underway and many student veterans haven't received financial aid from the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs tells school officials there will be a delay, but students who signed up for the new bill don’t know when to expect their money. How long might they have to wait? How are these students managing to get by?

California Veterans Attending High-end Schools Receive Boost in Tuition Aid
GREATER ACCESS TO HIGHER-ED FOR WARRIOR STUDENTS: The Post 9/11 GI Bill went into affect on August 1, 2009 bringing updated benefits to student veterans. An agreement between the state of California and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made private as well as public higher education more accessible in CA. What are the details?

Back to School: Is it Right for You?
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Never thought you'd see the inside of a classroom again after graduation? Think again. It might be time to break out the books in order to land a job, or to simply stay employed thanks to a competitive job market and tough economy. How do you know if going back to school is right for you? MoneyMix Contributor Marie Anderson has some advice.

Kent State students, parents warned about private loan 'scams' on Web
OUTSMART SCAMMERS: Most of us have already heard about scholarship scams, but what about student loan scams? If you're planning on taking out some student loans for your college education, you should know what kind of scam signs to look out for. Read this article for more information!

Report: More Students Taking Out Loans
STUDENT LOAN FEVER: A new semester looms on the horizon and tons of students pay their tuition thanks to student loans. But the number of students acquiring loans is rising from year to year. What does this say about the cost of college? Are you taking out student loans, or paying them off?

Study: Bankruptcy Rates Depend on State Policies
PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS: Why do people go bankrupt? Many assume bankruptcy is largely caused by personal attitudes toward debt, a lack of money management skills, and preference for default. A recent study by BYU economists suggests otherwise.

Government Changes FAFSA
CHA-CHA-CHA-CHANGES: Applying for federal student aid can be a long process. Changes recently announced aim to improve upon FAFSA, making it easier for those who apply. What are the changes? What do young people think about them? Will these alterations make a difference?

Students Face Credit Card Debt
POCKET FULL OF PLASTIC: The new Credit CARD Act of 2009 hopes to protect young adults from credit card companies that specifically target students. But what about the thousands of young Americans who are already in debt? How are they coping? Will this new law help to break the cycle of credit card abuse?

Credit Card Bill Lacks Interest Among Students
ANOTHER REASON TO WAIT FOR YOUR 21st BIRTHDAY: A new law would require co-signers for Americans under 21 applying for a credit card. The law is meant to help young adults avoid debt. Young adults have conflicting points of view as to whether this is a good or bad thing. What do you think?

Program Offers Potential Forgiveness for Student Loans
WITH GRADUATION COMES LOAN REPAYMENT: It's graduation time and the clock is ticking. For those with federal loans, graduation means beginning to pay off loans in six months. But don't fret! This July, you can take advantage of a new federal loan forgiveness program called Income-Based Repayment. What is it and how can you participate?

Credit Card Debt Rising for Students
WHAT GOOD CAN COME FROM INCREASED CREDIT CARD DEBT? As the economic climate makes private loans, scholarships and grants more difficult to come by, college students turn to credit cards for educational expenses. But there is a silver lining...

Obama Seeks to Add Extra Pell Grants, Funds
CAN YOU BENEFIT FROM PELL GRANT FACELIFT? Better known as the stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 revises federal Pell Grants which provide funding to needy undergraduate college students. What can these grants be used for, and where can you find more information?

Student Credit Card Debt Doubles
SHOCKING NUMBERS: Earlier this week we shared 5 steps to get out of credit card debt after we heard about current credit card debt levels. Here's more on the study we referenced and how they came up with their information....

Proposed FAFSA Changes Would Make Process Easier, Increase Need-based Grants
POTENTIAL CHANGES FOR FAFSA: FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and proposed changes may free up time and money for applicants. What are the recommended changes, what happens next, and could this affect you?

5 Steps to Get Out of Credit Card Debt
CREDIT DEBT RISES FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT: Trouble with credit cards? You're not alone. And many of us face this problem, not because of frivolous spending, but due to rising education costs and trying to make ends meet. No matter how we got this mess, how do we get out of it?

U.S. Sen. Tester Promotes Card Legislation
CREDIT CARD ACT PASSES U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE: The U.S. Senate Banking Committee approved the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act at the end of March but still needs to pass through Congress. What will this mean for credit cards, and how will it affect you if the Act becomes law?

Applications to Tuition-free Schools Up
FREE RIDE? Did you know there are schools and universities that are tuition-free? And these aren't fly-by-night institutions... steeped in history, service, and tradition they offer a world class education. Applications to these schools are on the rise. Which institutions are they, and is tuition really "free"?

'Is College Worth It?' Students Acquire Debt, Consider Value
IS COLLEGE WORTH IT? This question pops into your head whether you're going back to school after a few years, jumping in after high school, or thinking about saving for your little one's tuition. Countless loan statements, bills, and fee notifications are enough to make anyone wonder if they can afford higher education or look for other options.

Government Plans to Spend $30.8 Billion on College Affordability
HOW WILL STIMULUS BILL AFFECT COLLEGE COSTS? For the past few months, the news has been all about the battle over the stimulus bill. Now that it’s been passed, the focus is shifting to the question of where the money will be spent and students are wondering how much is in it for them.

Improving Your FICO Score Has Benefits
IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE: Now that you know what a FICO score is, learn how to make yours even higher. MoneyMix contributor Jen Zeberkiewicz shares some simple tips on how to easily get the best score.

Bilingual Baylor U. Grad Students Receive $88,000 Grant
GRANT MONEY MAKES A DIFFERENCE: 8.6 million Hspanics live in Texas, yet bilingual professionals are under-represented in social work and other mental health professions. A grant made will help prepare students to conquer cultural barriers and handle mental health needs of this population. Who received the grant and will it make a difference?

Students Choose Grad School in Time of Economic Crisis
WHAT SHOULD COLLEGE GRADS DO? A shrinking job market has caused concern for many recent and soon-to-be college graduates. With a lack of available jobs and an increase in the number of students buying graduate school preparatory programs, graduate school is becoming an attractive option. But, is it the right option for you?

Maryland Textbook Talks Start
PAYING TOO MUCH FOR TEXTBOOKS? Many students and lawmakers in Maryland think so. And they've proposed a solution... legislation they hope will stem the tide of rising textbook prices. What's in the legislation, who opposes it, and could other states follow?

College Prices Up Again Even as Economy Falters
COLLEGE PRICES: For people our age, our biggest asset is our earning potential. One way to increase that is by earning a 2-year, 4-year, and/or graduate level degree. But being able to afford these schools is becoming difficult. Why does tuition keep rising?

Financial Institutions More Selective in Student Loan Distribution
STUDENT LOANS: Some lending institutions are beginning to be more selective as to who they lend money to. How will your major affect the money you get?

FAFSA Applicants Rise as Future of Federal Loans Unclear
FEDERAL LOANS: As students across the nation find themselves in touble when it comes to paying for their education, there was a 16 percent increase this year in applicants for FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. What does this mean for you?

Your Quick Guide to College Loans
COLLEGE LOANS: When you graduate, you may be happy to be done with classes, homework and teachers. That is until you have to pay back your loans. Here is some information about college loans to help you make sense out of the madness.

Don't Be Afraid of the Big Bad FICO
CREDIT AND FICO SCORES: Ever wonder about how credit scores are determined? MoneyMix Contributor Jennifer Zeberkiewicz explains what FICO scores are and how they can help or hurt you.