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SMMC News & Events Blog
This blog highlights news, events, and informative articles on personal finance from University of Illinois System's Student Money Management Center. Feel free to navigate to different categories with the list of topics on the right or search for a specific topic next to the view all link below.
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  • Podcast: Understanding FAFSA

    Oct 18, 2023 12:00 pm38 views

    In episode 72 of Making Cents of Money, Understanding FAFSA, Beth Groves, Professional Development Specialist from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) talks about major changes to the FAFSA, delays, and its importance for anyone considering post-secondary education.

  • Student Loans Webinar #4 Recording: Know Options if You Can't Pay

    Oct 20, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We focused on what your options are if you can't make a payment, including the differences between deferment and forbearance. 

  • Podcast: Loan Payments Resumed in October

    Oct 31, 2023 12:00 pm10 views

    In episode 73 of Making Cents of Money, Loan Payments Resumed in October, we discussed the "on-ramp" to repayment being implemented by the U.S. Department of Education as millions of borrowers started making payments on their federal loans again in October.

  • Know What You Owe Challenge - Fall 2023

    Nov 14, 2023 8:00 am277 views

    About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge which runs November 14 - December 15, 2023.

  • Student Loans Webinar #5 Recording: Fresh Start & On-Ramp to Repayment

    Nov 17, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We discussed both the On-Ramp to Repayment and the Fresh Start Program during this webinar. If you had loans previously in Default, the Fresh Start program may be a good program for you. 

  • Podcast: Credit Reports Update

    Nov 29, 2023 12:00 pm27 views

    In episode 74 of Making Cents of Money, Credit Reports Update, we had a Consumer Alert! Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are allowing access to free, weekly credit reports indefinitely now. 

  • Student Loans Webinar #6 Recording: Managing PLUS Loans

    Dec 15, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We explored the unique features of Direct Parent PLUS loans and Graduate PLUS loans. Direct Parent PLUS loans have more unique repayment considerations than all other types of Direct Loans.

  • Podcast: Setting & Prioritizing Financial Goals

    Dec 20, 2023 12:00 pm53 views

    In episode 75 of Making Cents of Money, Setting & Prioritizing Financial Goals, Nikki and Andrea discussed several strategies for setting, prioritizing, and re-prioritizing financial goals... just in time for the new year! 

  • Student Loans Webinar #7 Recording: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

    Jan 19, 2024 1:00 pm2 views

    Learn if you can qualify for PSLF as a federal student loan borrower working in public service.

  • What is Crypto Anyway?

    Podcast: What is Crypto Anyway?

    Jan 29, 2024 12:00 pm6 views

    In episode 76 of Making Cents of Money, What is Crypto Anyway?, Jake Hamilton, a previous podcast co-host, comes back to provide an overview of how crypto works and what the future looks like for this financial technology.

  • Understand Your Refund - Spring 2024

    Feb 1, 2024 7:00 am90 views

    Many students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund. Learn answers to frequently asked questions about refunds.

  • Episode 77 - Tax Talk with two people speaking to each other over some paperwork.

    Podcast: Tax Talk

    Feb 9, 2024 12:00 pm6 views

    In episode 77 of Making Cents of Money, Tax Talk, Andrea and Nikki talk tax... forms, terms, and more as the April 15 federal tax deadline approaches.

  • Student Loans Webinar #8 Recording: Different Types of Student Loans

    Feb 16, 2024 1:00 pm4 views

    It's important to know the types of loans that you have in order to understand your repayment and other student loan management options.

  • Is Crypto the Wild West? with a sunset and silhouettes of saguaro cacti.

    Podcast: Is Crypto the Wild West?

    Feb 26, 2024 12:00 pm8 views

    In episode 78 of Making Cents of Money, Is Crypto the Wild West?, David DeCarlo and Jake Hamilton join us to discuss what regulation does and does not exist for consumers regarding crypto.

  • Know What You Owe Challenge - Spring 2024

    Apr 1, 2024 8:00 am100 views

    About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge which runs April 1 - May 1, 2024.