Financial Literacy

FINANCIAL LITERACY BLOGS

Within Reach

Tackle school and money decisions with confidence thanks to expert tips and help from those who have been there before

URL/PDF: www.salliemae.com/blog

Smarty Pig®

Money tips from Professor Pig

URL/PDF: www.smartypig.com/professor-pig

COLLEGE PLANNING & PAYING

Paying for College Resource

Access to free information and online tools to help make a plan to pay for college.
• Why fill out the FAFSA®?
• How to compare financial aid offers
• Finding scholarships
• What to know about student loans
• Paying for college video series
…And so much more!

URL/PDF: www.PayingForCollegeResource.com

Paying For College Guide

Everything you need to make smart choices about paying for school

Paying For College Guide - (UGRD)

Sallie Mae Scholarship Search

Register for free access to 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion.

URL/PDF: www.salliemae.com/scholarshipsearch

Undergraduate Students - Understanding gap financing options

Comparing the Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents, private student loans, and private parent loans

URL/PDF: Options for filling a financial gap (UGRD)

College Planning Calculator

This easy-to-use college planning calculator helps you search for college costs and build a customized plan based on your own situation.
• You can see the full cost of college, not just tuition.
• Factor savings, scholarships, grants, and loans into your plan.
• If college is just around the corner, we can help you figure out how to pay for it.
• If college is far away, we can help you save for it.
• See guidelines for a loan payment compared to the salary needed to support it.
• Save your plan and you can review, revise, and update it at any time while you put that plan into action.

URL/PDF: www.salliemae.com/college-planning/tools/college-planning-calculator/

GRADUATE SCHOOL PLANNING & PAYING

Paying For Graduate School Guide

Everything you need to make smart choices about paying for (graduate) school

Paying For Graduate School Guide (GRAD)

Sallie Mae Graduate School Scholarship Search

Your go-to source for $1 billion in grad scholarships. Register for free access to 950,000+ scholarships

URL/PDF: www.Salliemae.com/gradscholarships

Graduate Students - Understanding Gap Financing Options

Comparing the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, private student loans, and private parent loans

URL/PDF: Options for filling a financial gap (GRAD)

College Planning Calculator

This easy to use college planning calculator helps you search for college costs and build a customized plan based on your own situation.
• You can see the full cost of college, not just tuition.
• Factor savings, scholarships, grants, and loans into your plan.
• If college is just around the corner, we can help you figure out how to pay for it.
• If college is far away, we can help you save for it.
• See guidelines for a loan payment compared to the salary needed to support it.
Save your plan and you can review, revise, and update it at any time while you put that plan into action.

URL/PDF: www.salliemae.com/college-planning/tools/college-planning-calculator/

MONEY MANAGEMENT

Monthly Budget Worksheet

Use this worksheet to create a budget and check how you’re doing each month compared with your budget goal. The worksheet will total your numbers at the bottom so you can see if you need to make adjustments — like cutting expenses or boosting your income — to reach your goal.

URL/PDF: My monthly budget worksheet

CREDIT & BANKING

Understanding Credit

FICO Scores, loans, and financial health tips

URL/PDF: Understanding Credit Handboook

FICO Education Video Series - What is a FICO® Score?

Topics include:
• Understanding Your Credit Report
• What is a FICO Score?
• What goes into FICO Scores?
• Managing Your FICO Scores
• How lenders use FICO Scores
• Which Credit Scores Matter

URL/PDF: https://vimeopro.com/myfico/fico-educational-video-series/video/121931993

IDENTITY THEFT

Fighting Identity Theft

If your information falls into the wrong hands, it could cost you time and money to restore your good name and credit status. To help keep your financial reputation intact, follow these helpful tips. 

URL/PDF: 10 Tips to Fight Identity Theft

STUDENT LOANS & REPLAYMENT

How Can a Cosigner Help You Secure a Private Student Loan?

Important things to know when considering a cosigner for a private student loan.

URL/PDF: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcdgPbOQ3Ck

Student Loan Interest

Learn about the components of loans - interest rate, principal amount, accrue, capitalization – and tips on how to manage your loans.

URL/PDF: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mudv_0RVJY&index=1&list=PL4l7V27U1QKjWtRDKAZBUC78Kwm4nb4Lv

Variable vs. Fixed Interest Rates

Interest rate is the rate charged to borrow money. When you take out a loan, you pay it back with interest, so you pay back more than you borrowed. A fixed interest rate is usually a little higher than a starting variable interest rate. However, with a fixed interest rate, you’ll have predictable monthly payments, which can make it easier to stick to a budget or plan for college. On the other hand, a variable interest rate may vary based on the financial markets. Usually, variable interest rates start lower than fixed interest rates helping you save money for college. It is important to bear in mind that variable interest rates could go up or down due to an increase or decrease in the loan’s index. Watch this video by Sallie Mae to learn more about the benefits and considerations of fixed and variable interest rates for your private student loan. Talk to your private student loan lender so you can understand your options and choose the right ones for you.

URL/PDF: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQxVVh3IcI

Accrued Interest Calculator

See how accrued interest could affect your loan balance. Even if you’re not currently making loan payments, interest continues to accrue (grow). Paying a little more toward your loan may reduce your total loan cost.

URL/PDF: www.salliemae.com/college-planning/tools/accrued-interest-calculator/

Student Loan Payment Amount Estimator

When you’re considering taking out a student loan, or about to start paying off one, use this calculator to estimate what your monthly payment might be.

URL/PDF: www.salliemae.com/college-planning/tools/student-loan-repayment-calculator/

Repaying student loans

As you begin to repay your loans, these strategies can help make the process simpler. 

URL/PDF: Repaying your student loans: Useful tips

Student Loan & Financial Planning

This checklist can help you get organized as you get ready to leave school. Start by collecting all of your student loan documents and keep them in one file. Examples of these documents include Master Promissory Notes, financial aid offers, lender/servicer communications, disclosure statements, and exit interview information.

URL/PDF: Student Loan And Financial Planning Checklist

Student Loan Delinquency & Default

Learn about delinquency and default and tips to help you successfully repay your loans.

URL/PDF: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF2fvIUtQsU&list=PL4l7V27U1QKjWtRDKAZBUC78Kwm4nb4Lv&index=3