blog posts Podcast: Prioritizing Your Paid Time Off Nov 24, 2025 12:00 pm3 views In episode 119 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber & Andrea discuss the value and importance of using your paid time off benefits. Don't let the benefits you've earned slip away, especially during the season of spending time with family & friends. Podcast: Student Loan Repayment in 2025 Nov 6, 2025 12:00 pm191 views In episode 118 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber summarize the last 5 years of student loan policy shifts and highlight recent changes impacting borrowers' options for managing their federal (and private) student loans. Podcast: The Role of Loan Servicers Aug 21, 2025 12:00 pm38 views In episode 114 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber discuss the role of loan servicers in the United States. Whether you have a car loan, mortgage, or student loan, understanding how student loan servicing works can help you navigate repayment. Fact Check Your Debt Challenge - Spring 2025 Apr 9, 2025 2:00 pm289 views There have been a lot of changes recently that impact student loan borrowers. Can you tell myth from fact in the sea of student loan misinformation? Take the Fact Check Your Debt Quiz by May 1, 2025, to find out. Webinar Recording: Student Loan Management Mar 6, 2025 1:00 pm7 views There are many things to be aware of when it comes to managing those loans from application to pay-off (or forgiveness). Learn the terms, tips, and tools to make managing your education debt easier. Webinar Recording: Mastering the Consumer Credit Game Dec 5, 2024 1:00 pm7 views Watch Mastering the Consumer Credit Game on YouTube to learn how to build, manage, and protect your credit, a crucial financial tool in the game of life. Podcast: On Ramp to Repayment Ends 9/30 for Federal Loan Borrowers Sep 16, 2024 12:00 pm48 views In episode 93 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins us yet again to talk about the On Ramp to Repayment ending on September 30, 2024, and what that means for borrowers currently in repayment. Podcast: PSLF Seekers in SAVE: Costs of Administrative Forbearance Sep 10, 2024 12:00 pm80 views In episode 92 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins us again to talk about the current state of student loans on the SAVE repayment plan and the PSLF Buyback program for borrowers nearing completion of their PSLF requirements. Webinar Recording: Demystifying the Financial Aid Process Aug 22, 2024 1:00 pm34 views Unlock the secrets of financial aid. Learn how to maximize your financial aid package and ease the burden of tuition. Join us to navigate the complex world of financial aid with confidence. Things to Keep in Mind with Financial Aid Offers Jun 25, 2024 8:00 am59 views Financial Aid Notifications or Award Letters can be difficult to compare. Read about what to keep in mind while reviewing them and learn about the CFPB's tool to compare them when planning out how to fund your degree. Student Loans Webinar #8 Recording: Different Types of Student Loans Feb 16, 2024 1:00 pm20 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. Student Loans Webinar #7 Recording: Public Service Loan Forgiveness Jan 19, 2024 1:00 pm18 views Learn if you can qualify for PSLF as a federal student loan borrower working in public service. Student Loans Webinar #6 Recording: Managing PLUS Loans Dec 15, 2023 1:00 pm18 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. Student Loans Webinar #5 Recording: Fresh Start & On-Ramp to Repayment Nov 17, 2023 1:00 pm17 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. Student Loans Webinar #4 Recording: Know Options if You Can't Pay Oct 20, 2023 1:00 pm17 views We focused on what your options are if you can't make a payment, including the differences between deferment and forbearance. Student Loans Webinar #3 Recording: Review Consolidation or Refinancing Sep 15, 2023 1:00 pm13 views We discussed interest and the differences between consolidating and refinancing your student loans. Carefully consider the consequences of using a private refinance loan to pay off federal student loans. Student Loans Webinar #2 Recording: Explore Repayment Plans with the Loan Simulator Aug 18, 2023 1:00 pm13 views We explained the many repayment plan options available for federal loans, but the primary action item we wanted you to focus on was using the Loan Simulator to explore repayment plan eligibility. Webinar Recording: Cash at College Aug 16, 2023 1:00 pm7 views Discover how spending, saving, and student loans impact your college experience. Decreasing Borrowing While in School Aug 14, 2023 1:30 pm73 views Student loans can be a valuable tool for increasing access to higher education, but it does come with a cost. Learn how to limit those costs while in school so you decrease future costs of compounding interest. Funding a College Education Aug 11, 2023 1:30 pm72 views Funding your education can be a daunting task, but there are many tools to help students and their families cover the cost of a college education. Student Loans Webinar #1 Recording: Logging into FSA to Update Contact Info Jul 14, 2023 1:00 pm14 views We discussed many aspects of returning to repayment during this webinar, but the primary action item we focused on was updating your contact info in your FSA account. Podcast: Help for Renters Jun 21, 2023 12:00 pm30 views In episode 64 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Byer, Director of the APLD & Investigations, joins us again to talk about programs designed to help find and afford renting a place to live. Student Loan Updates Webinars for 2023/2024 Jun 21, 2023 12:00 pm4 views Our Student Loan Updates webinar series will run from July 2023 - March 2024 with 10-20 minute webinars on different topics each month. Podcast: Help for Homeowners Jun 7, 2023 12:00 pm25 views In episode 63 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Byer, Director of the APLD & Investigations, joins us to talk about programs designed to help those who may be struggling with initial and ongoing homeownership costs. Podcast: Get Covered, Illinois May 22, 2023 12:00 pm32 views In episode 62 of Making Cents of Money, Brian Gorman, Director of Outreach & Engagement for Get Covered Illinois, answers our questions about managing healthcare costs. Student Loan Management - Get Savvy Webinar Recording May 3, 2023 1:00 pm8 views Explore methods of student loan management by watching this webinar recording from May 3, 2023. Podcast: Help with Utility Bills May 3, 2023 12:00 pm21 views In episode 61 of Making Cents of Money, we learn about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). If you're struggling to pay utilities, apply by May 31! Podcast: Return to Repayment (Student Loans Update) Apr 7, 2023 12:00 pm74 views In episode 60 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki talk about the current status of federal student loans and how to prepare for the return to repayment which is expected in the next few months. Podcast: Paying for College with Scholarships Nov 18, 2022 12:00 pm156 views In episode 52 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea talk to special guest, Kara Holloway, Director of Scholarships at UIC, about paying for college with scholarships. Biden Student Loan Cancellation & PSLF Limited Waiver Sep 15, 2022 1:00 pm273 views Not all federal student loan forgiveness programs are the same. We want to draw your attention to an upcoming deadline to be aware of if you work in public service and will still have a balance after the Biden student loan cancellations are processed. IDFPR Webinars on Temporary Expanded PSLF Aug 19, 2022 11:45 am11 views IDFPR is hosting 4 webinars between now and October 30th on the temporarily expanded PSLF program for Public School Educators. Podcast: Student Loan Repayment (update) May 25, 2022 12:00 pm70 views In episode 41 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki discuss some of the big updates on federal student loans that have occured over the past couple months. Podcast: Student Loans Apr 13, 2021 12:00 pm132 views Episode 16 of Making Cents of Money, Student Loans, lays out some student loan statistics, considerations, and protections for borrowers in preparation for our webinar on Student Loan Repayment tomorrow! Setting Goals for Your Well-being Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am4393 views Explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the dimensions of well-being can help you set, prioritize, and manage your SMART goals. 6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19 Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm135 views Finding money for your education, especially grad school, can be more difficult now. Read the 6 considerations for finding funding during COVID-19 to learn about searching for fellowships. Exit Counseling is Live for Institutional Student Loan Borrowers Oct 1, 2020 4:15 pm8 views If you borrowed institutional loans to pay for school and are graduating or leaving school soon, don't forget to complete your Exit Counseling to avoid a transcript hold! Completing the FAFSA Nov 1, 2019 12:30 pm1234 views The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as FAFSA, is “the largest source of financial aid to pay for college”. Read about important dates, tips & reminders for filing.
