Think of your student loan as a tiny seed that was planted for your education. It grows into a living loan that you’re responsible for keeping healthy throughout its life and through repayment. Our tips will help you learn how to nurture that seed so that you and your loans can enjoy a healthy and prosperous life.

The Facts of Life for Student Loans

When does life start for a student loan? How does your student loan develop, and when is it most crucial that you pay attention and nurture its development?

Formation

Once you have accepted the loan terms and signed your agreement, student loan formation begins with disbursement, which is when your student loan is paid out each semester. At this point, your student loan doesn’t just pay for your school. No – it’s the twinkle in your eye when you talk about what you’re going to do after college. Your student loan provides the promise for your future and feeds your dreams.

For most student loans, while you’re in school, the loan is still developing into a living loan that hasn’t yet emerged into your world. It may not seem fully real to you yet. However, if you don’t take precautions before your loan is born, it may develop complications you don’t know about while you’re in school – things like accruing interest. With early awareness, you can decide to make interest-only payments and avoid having the interest capitalize (added to your principal balance)! This can save you thousands of dollars in interest later. Even if you can’t make all the student loan payments, you can save some money by making occasional payments.

Can’t afford to make any payments on student loans while you’re in school? That’s fine. Then just take good care of your education by finishing your degree on time, and nurture your financial health by minimizing your credit card debt and the amount you borrow for your education.

Grace Period

There may be an additional grace period (usually of six months) after you leave school before you need to start making payments on your student loans. If you think your grace period is your last hurrah before all your budget, time, and energy go toward nurturing the growing new student loan you’ve introduced to the world, think again. Interest will continue to accrue during your grace period and may be capitalized if left unpaid. If you possibly can, avoid these complications by making interest-only or full payments.

Preparing for Repayment

You probably didn’t think your student loan experience signed you up for multiples. But when you get to graduation, you find that all those little seeds that paid for your education will come due at various times and will have different conditions, sleeping habits, and diet restrictions (no, not really). But you may have multiple student loans to repay, and before they come due, it’s time to prepare the nursery.

How do you prepare a nursery for student loans? Start with making a complete list of which loans are due when, what the monthly payments will be, who you’ll pay them to, and how to contact their loan servicers – as well the student loan interest rates. There are often repayment plan options for different types of student loans, so explore your options, figure out how much your payments will be, and sign up for payment plan options that will help you take care of all your loans. The goal is to prioritize and plan for repayment so that you can keep all of your student loans healthy.

When Student Loans Get Sick

An unhealthy student loan is one that becomes delinquent. It may start because you can’t keep track of your different loans. Or maybe you can’t afford to make all your payments. You miss one payment, and then another. It may go on your credit report. Eventually if you don’t make a payment), it defaults. Now it’s really affecting your life. With a defaulted student loan, you’ll mourn the loss of your positive credit standing for years to come. You’ll think ruefully of it when you apply for housing and are denied, when you don’t get the final call back for that dream job, or when you’re denied a loan to buy a car to replace the one that just died.

Don’t let problems with student loan repayment get to that point. There are often options for payment relief or to consolidate or refinance your student loans to make it easier to keep track of them, and to make payments more affordable. If you’re having problems keeping up with your payments, contact your servicer for options available.

Quick Tips for When You’re Expecting (Student Loan Repayment)

You’re a smart college graduate, but you haven’t had student loans before. We know it’s a lot to take care of, to have all these student loans coming due around the same time. That’s why we put together these tips for when you’re expecting student loan repayment.

1. Keep track while you’re in school (and definitely before your graduate!) of how much you’re borrowing, who your servicer is for each loan, what the interest rates are, which loans subsidized while you’re in school and grace, as well as who to contact if you have questions or concerns.
2. Keep your borrowing to a minimum. These are real living loans that will eventually need to be repaid – whether you finish your degree or not, whether you find a job in your field, whether you like your job. Don’t live in denial now.
3. Take care of complications early. If you identify interest accruing on un-subsidized loans (and at a high rate), take care of it with interest-only payments or occasional payments whenever you can make them during school and in your grace period. Every little bit helps. Avoid interest capitalization whenever possible. You’ll have more hungry mouths to feed later.
4. Choose payment options before repayment. Figure out how much payments will be and how you will make it all work so that you can take care of all of your loans when they’re due.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Nurturing Student Loan Seeds through Life (and Repayment) appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

But don’t decide to move in with your parents just yet. By establishing smart financial habits in your 20s and 30s, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a more comfortable lifestyle both today and in the future.

1. Finding a Job

The first step toward financial independence for anyone is finding a source of income. Your salary will determine what you can afford in all other aspects of your life, including where you can live and what kind of lifestyle you can support.

• Be a creative job seeker, and don’t limit yourself to traditional job-search methods. Expand your network, be active on LinkedIn and professional in your use of other social media, and attend industry events.
• Recognize that you may not get your dream job right out of college. You may have to pay your dues with one or more entry-level positions before getting to the position you’ve always imagined for yourself. And that’s OK – as long as you’re building a resume that supports your chosen career path, you’re on the right track.
• It’s important to know your worth and position yourself as a competitive job seeker in your industry. What are your peers making? What’s the average salary in your industry and region? Do your research to educate yourself so that you can intelligently campaign for fair compensation when it comes time to negotiate your salary.

Answers to career-related questions impact your financial future and your budget. Make sure your financial plans evolve to include planning for career development – because your salary and livelihood is a major driver of your financial well-being. For example:

• As you gain experience, you’ll define your career goals to become more specific and learn about new career opportunities. Will you need certification, additional training, or education?
• Will finding your next position require relocating to a different job market, or can you stay where you are and move up?

2. Making a Budget

Once you have a steady source of income, you can create a budget to make sure you don’t overspend. Consider using a free budget worksheet on sites such as Quicken or Mint to make the process quick and easy on your journey to financial independence.

• Calculate how much you spend on set monthly expenses, including rent, car payments, insurance, student loan payments, and utilities.
• Look through your recent bank statements to estimate how much you spend on other expenses such as groceries, transportation, clothing, dining out, etc.
• Subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly net income to determine your monthly spendable income. This is how much money you have to spend on extras each month. Don’t go over this number unless you want to start dealing with the cycle of debt.
• Are you spending more than you make? Then it’s time to rethink your expenses. Where can you cut back? Should you take on a roommate? A second job? Be realistic about your finances and do what you can to avoid relying on credit cards to pay your bills.

With time, the definition of your household may change. You may find you have added income, but you could also have additional expenses and other considerations. Every time you experience a significant change in your household, your job, your location, and your living situation is a time to re-evaluate your budget and financial goals.

3. Choosing Where to Live

Housing costs are generally among the most costly monthly expenses. Each of the decisions below will significantly impact your bottom line.

• Are you willing to relocate for work? While some people are set on living in one particular city, others are more open-minded when it comes to their job search. And, as you work longer and decide what you want to do, the best opportunities may be elsewhere. You’ll need to decide whether to open up your search to other cities to increase your options both in terms of pay and position.
• How much does it cost to live in the city of your choice — and can you afford it? Some cities are notoriously expensive for renters, and it may be difficult to pay the high costs of rent on an entry-level salary. Do a little research and use comparison calculators to weigh the benefits and costs of living in various places.
• Will you live alone or with roommates? Obviously, flying solo can come at a high price, but living with roommates has its own set of challenges.
• Do you want to rent or buy? Buying can be a wise investment, but not all young adults are qualified to purchase a home. If it’s something you’d like to do in the near future, start by building your credit and familiarizing yourself with the real estate landscape in your area.
• As you live on your own (or with roommates or a significant other), you’ll learn more about what sort of environment leads to a better quality of life for you. As life events unfold, you may find that a significant other’s job prospects and career opportunities may begin to factor into your location of residence. Other life changes (divorce, changes to a family member’s health, etc.) can also impact who lives with you and where you decide to live – and this will impact your bottom line.

4. Managing Student Loan Debt

The average student graduates with more than $29,000 in student loan debt. While you may be able to defer your payments while in school or residency, eventually you will have to start tackling those payments. After housing, this is often one of a graduate’s most significant monthly expenses.

• Your post-graduate student loan bill shouldn’t be a surprise. Know how much you’ll owe – and have an idea of how you’ll pay for it – before you even start college.
• Learn more about the federal loan repayment plans for which you are eligible and what your private loan payments and interest rates are at this time. Check your private loan statements or your lender’s website for this information.
• Explore student loan refinancing. For most people, student loan repayment stays around for a while – but it doesn’t have to keep the same form. Once you’ve been out working and living in the “real world” for a while, your situation may change, and refinancing your student loans can help you take advantage of some positive changes to your situation. If you’re making the smart financial decisions we at Nelnet Bank know you can, your credit worthiness, credit score, and income have all been taking an upward turn. Consider whether refinancing your federal and private student loans can make your interest rate and monthly payments lower. With Nelnet Bank, there are no application or origination fees and you could end up saving yourself thousands of dollars over the life of your loan – or ridding yourself of student loan debt sooner than expected.

5. Planning for the Future

While at times it may be difficult to imagine life beyond your next paycheck, it’s critical to think about your future financial independence.

• Family planning – Do you have plans to get married, start or expand your family? It’s a good idea to start saving for those milestones early on. If you haven’t found the right person, but you know it’s a priority for you to buy a home, find a partner, or start a family, there’s no reason to wait to prepare financially. Why not make it easier on yourself later by planning now for the future you know you want?
• Retirement savings – Speaking of planning now for the future you want: for millennials, the age of 65 may seem like it’s a long way off but it’s getting closer every day. Starting as soon as you have the option to save toward your retirement has a huge positive impact on your ability to save enough for retirement. But what do you do each time you get a raise or bonus? Do you increase your contribution toward retirement and diversify the types of accounts you invest in – or do you find new ways to spend the additional money? You can guess what we recommend.
• Insurance – You’ve enjoyed the benefits of your parents’ insurance policy for most of your life, but being an adult means buying your own health, car, and home or renters insurance. When you first start out, you won’t own as much of value to insure, but as you continue to work, you’ll acquire a nicer car, a bigger home, better furnishings, and simply more stuff. Plus, the larger income you’re making will be harder to replace should something happen that prevents you working to pay your bills. Insurance is something that you’ll need to continue to evaluate as your assets, income, and dependents change.

Complete financial independence after college may seem intimidating at first, but it’s also exciting. Embrace the challenges, but reach out for help when you need it. As you may have noticed, financial literacy is an ever-changing learning process because life is full of constant change. It’s always good to reevaluate your goals, your situation, and your budget on a regular basis to make sure you’re on the right track.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Financial Literacy for Millennials: Tips for Making Smart Financial Decisions in Your 20s and 30s appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

Student Loan Debt

While I am no longer handling student loan debt, there was a time when I did. While studying for my bachelor’s degree, I borrowed money to help pay for tuition, fees, and housing expenses. Fortunately, I was able to work part-time in school, and full-time during the summers. When I graduated, I had what I considered a modest level of debt.

The Realization of Repayment

After graduating, I remember receiving my student loan statement and payment slips in the mail. It had been several months since graduation. I hadn’t thought much about handling my student loan debt. Because I deferred my principal and interest payments while in school, I didn’t know exactly how much I owed. I didn’t even know when my payments were due. I can still remember looking at my loan statement and seeing how much I owed and the monthly amount due. Then, I counted the number of payment slips. I realized it was going to be quite some time before I could pay my loans off in full.

Reality set in. Having taken some finance classes while in school, I knew the high interest rates on my loans would cause interest to accrue rapidly on the remaining principal balance. The longer it took me to pay off my loans, the more it would cost. So, I sat down and developed a plan. I set up a monthly budget to manage my finances and pay off my student loans as soon as possible. This was the start of getting my financial house in order.

Discovering Repayment Options

Since that time, student loans, both federal and private, have greatly evolved. There are now many more repayment options available to students and parents to help them handle student loan debt. These include various income-driven repayment plans, federal loan consolidation, and private student loan refinancing. Each of these options has distinctive features and eligibility requirements, so it makes sense to compare them to one another to see if any meet your needs. You can learn more about federal student loan repayment plan options by visiting the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website.

Making a Repayment Plan

Creating a solid financial plan and sticking to it is an important part of any person’s financial well-being. If you haven’t already done so, I highly encourage you to review your financial situation, create a plan, and set a monthly budget.

Once you’ve created your plan, be sure to review it at least once per year, as your goals and/or financial situation may change. This way you can make any needed adjustments to ensure you stay on track. By keeping your financial house in order you can increase the likelihood of achieving financial success.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Get Your Financial House in Order appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

It Happens to the Best of Us

The holidays have come and gone. You may be feeling a bit relieved that all the seasonal hustle and bustle is over. Sure, it may be a bit cold outside. Sure, work is back in full swing. But, things are looking good with your New Year’s resolutions. You’re feeling optimistic and energized.

Then, you receive your January credit card bill. Whoa, the new balance is much higher than you expected. As you go down the list of purchases on your statement you ask yourself, “Did I really spend that much?” You also notice the available credit on your credit card is pretty low. There are some big purchases coming up in your future. You were planning on using your credit card to pay for them. Now, you no longer have enough available credit to pay for everything as planned.

According to the Federal Reserve, in February 2021, the average APR charged for credit card accounts accruing interest was 15.91%. Plus, if you don’t pay your balance in full you’ll be hit with a hefty finance charge, which will be added to your outstanding credit card balance. And even worse, if you’re late making the minimum payment that’s due, you could be hit with a penalty APR, which can be as high as 29.99%.

Personal Loans Could Provide Credit Relief

This is where personal loans could provide credit relief. Unlike a credit card, which is a revolving line of credit, a personal loan is an unsecured loan that doesn’t require any collateral, such as a car or house. Personal loans come with a specific repayment period, usually between 1 and 7 years. Fixed interest rates are more common than variable interest rates, and some lenders will offer you a choice.

The main reason people take out personal loans is to pay off existing debt, such as high interest rate credit cards or loans. Other common reasons include making major purchases, for home improvement projects, for special occasions like weddings, to take a vacation, and to pay off medical bills.

Personal loans can range from as little as $1,000 to as high as $100,000. APRs vary widely among lenders and are based on the borrower’s (or co-signer’s) credit history, annual income, repayment term selected, and type of interest rate chosen. Some personal loans even come with money saving automatic payment discounts and loyalty discounts.

Tip: Some lenders charge upfront fees, which add to the total cost of the loan, so be sure to take that into account before choosing a lender.

A really nice feature for personal loans is how quick and easy the process can be. If you submit a completed loan application, you can receive a decision in a matter of minutes, and if approved, receive funds in your bank account as soon as the next business day, provided your application has no typos or errors.

Now that the holidays are over, you may be suffering from the post-holiday credit card blues. If so, check out a personal loan for credit relief from Nelnet Bank’s partner. It just may be what the doctor ordered.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Personal Loans Can Help Cure Post-Holiday Credit Card Blues appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

After an assessment, you can begin to find ways to improve your financial well-being in the upcoming year. In order to be prepared for a bright financial future in the New Year, it’s important to set your budget, contribute to your savings, and pay down any high interest debt.

Now is the Time for Budget Planning

Do you know how much you spent this year on utilities, groceries, housing, or entertainment? Once you have an idea of how much you’re spending on certain categories, you can estimate your projected expenses each month and use budget planning to find places to cut expenses.

There are a number of apps that can assist you with tracking and categorizing your spending, but you can also do it on your own by entering your expenses into a spreadsheet. If you use your debit card for most purchases, you can use your online bank statement to help you identify your expenses. Don’t forget to account for the cash you spend if you want a true picture of all your expenses.

When setting your budget, you’ll likely have fixed and recurring expenses for housing, transportation, student loans, utilities, and other similar areas. Then, you’ll need to set an amount for variable expenses like groceries, clothing, and entertainment.

Knowing your income each month will help you set goals. If you have a steady job, you probably have a consistent weekly or monthly income and can use that to start your budget. Your monthly expenses should be less than your available income each month.

If this is not the case, you can review your expenses to identify areas to trim back and reduce your spending each month. Once you’ve created a budget, try to stick to it as best you can each month. That way, you’ll stay on track and not get into a position of having to use credit cards or possibly getting behind on some of your bills.

Save, Save, Save – The Sooner You Start the Better

Even if you’re in your 20’s, it’s never too early to include retirement in your budget planning. If you start with small contributions, you can make it a habit and priority. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan and matches your contributions, take full advantage of the opportunity for free money.

It’s also important to set aside funds for unexpected expenses or emergencies. A good rule of thumb is to have three to six months of income in a savings account that you can access for those unplanned events. Not only will this give you peace of mind knowing that you have your own safety net, but it will help you avoid putting large charges on a credit card that will likely incur high interest fees.

Pay Down High Interest Rate Debt

Whether you’re paying off a student loan, a car, or a credit card balance, it’s always an accomplishment to know you have extra income to go toward something else (like saving).

If you can allocate some extra resources to pay down your debt, it’s generally best to start by tackling the account with the highest interest rate. That might be a credit card balance that seems like it never gets smaller because of the interest that keeps adding up each month.

Another goal you might have is to simply pay something off with a smaller balance just to get that sense of accomplishment and then move that money toward paying down other debt. It might make sense to look at debt consolidation or refinancing where you may benefit from paying off higher rate loans or debt with a lower interest rate personal loan. This is especially helpful with high rate credit cards. All of us at Nelnet Bank wish you a successful and prosperous new year!

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Planning for the New Year appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

If you attended college in the fall, you may have relied on financial aid to help cover your education expenses. With a new semester about to begin, you may want to reconsider your options. Many students still owe a balance from fall semester. Meanwhile, others just realized they may need additional funding to help pay for the upcoming semester. Use this time to take stock of your financial resources and make a plan to ensure everything is covered.

Do you still owe a balance on outstanding charges from your fall semester?

You may be required to fully satisfy outstanding charges before you can complete your enrollment for the next semester. Make sure you take care of the previous balance as soon as possible. That way, you avoid any potential delays with your upcoming enrollment. If you didn’t have enough financial aid or personal resources to pay your prior semester’s bills in full, consider a private loan to help cover what you still owe.

Did you apply for financial aid either before or during the previous semester?

It’s always a good idea to apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify. Not everyone qualifies for grants or other “free” money. But, you may qualify for federal student loans, like unsubsidized loans, which are not based on financial need. You can still complete the FAFSA form, even after the school year has started. It’s free and doesn’t take much time, so it’s worthwhile to submit. That way, you’ll know you’re not missing out on any financial aid programs.

What are your education expenses going to be in the upcoming semester?

By January, you should have an idea of your direct college expenses are for the upcoming semester. These education expenses including tuition, books, housing, and other costs. Do you have financial aid that pays for everything, or do you still have a gap where additional money is needed? Make sure you look at your full semester and anticipate all of your expenses. Set a budget so you’ll know exactly what your expenses are. Make sure to keep track of what types of income or financial resources can cover those expenses. Use all the financial aid resources available to you, including federal loans, to help pay your costs of attending college. If you still find yourself in need of additional money, you can explore the possibility of a private student loan and find a solution to help cover your college expenses.

When should you apply for next school year’s financial aid?

In case you missed it, you can now complete the FAFSA starting on October 1 for the following school year. You may only be halfway through this school year, but it’s already time to submit your FAFSA form for the next. With the earlier submission date for the FAFSA, it’s critical to get your application in as quickly as possible so you don’t miss any priority deadlines for state grant aid or other types of aid that may not be available if you apply too late.

Remember, now is the time to make sure you have everything in order for the current semester and for the next school year.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post It’s Time to Make Sure Your Finances Are on Track appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

One of the simplest, yet most important steps to controlling your finances is budgeting. To start the process, determine your take home income and total expenses. Then break it down to a simple formula:

Income – Expenses = Positive or Negative Outcome

As you can probably guess, you want to end up with a positive outcome. To accomplish this, you need to spend less than you earn. It may sound easy, but it can be difficult. In order to calculate this number, you’ll want to sit down with a list of your monthly expenses.

Here are some steps to get you on track to creating a budget and taking control of your financial future.

Know your income sources.

This is usually pretty straight forward. It’s typically money you earn from a job, but if you’re a student it can also be money you’re receiving from financial aid sources (grants, scholarships, or loans), money from your parents or other family members. To ensure your funds last the entire semester, you may need to average out your financial aid to a monthly amount.

Identify your expenses by using a daily spending diary.

Fixed monthly expenses like rent, car payments, insurance, and any other expenses you pay every month are easy to identify. The daily spending diary can help you track your variable expenses like food, entertainment, and clothing. After tracking of all of your expenses for a month, you may be surprised at where your money is going.

Figure out needs vs. wants.

When looking at your expenses or potential purchases, it’s important to make a distinction between “needs” and “wants.” There are some things you absolutely need – like housing and food. However, some things may fall into the “wants” category, like frequently eating out.

Find room for improvement.

After you’ve identified all of your expenses, find areas that can be reduced or even eliminated. Remember, you want to spend less than you earn. That goes for credit cards, too. It’s easy to spend what feels like “free money” but that debt can catch up with you quickly with interest.

Stick to it.

The last step, and possibly the most difficult, is to stick to your budget and resist the temptation of unnecessary spending.

After you’ve crafted your budget, stick to it each month, then evaluate how you’re doing. Are you staying within your budget? Are there problem areas you need to address with some of your expenses?

After you’ve created your budget, you’ll start to experience the benefits.

• Ensure you don’t spend money you don’t have

  Far too many of us spend money we don’t have using credit cards or student loans. A good tip is to only use credit cards when you can pay the balance each month and only use student loans for what you need (not want).

• Shed light on bad spending habits

  Building a budget forces you to look at your spending habits. You may find areas where you are spending money on things you don’t really need.

• Leads to a brighter future

  Budgeting allows you to position yourself for a more successful future. It’s far easier to “live like a student” when you’re actually a college student as opposed to trying to climb out from under a mountain of debt later.

Budgeting doesn’t mean spending as little money as possible or feeling guilty about every purchase. It’s about knowing your limits and making sure you have control of your finances.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Learning to Budget for a Brighter Future appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

Treat Yourself

The first thing that comes to everyone’s mind when spending tax returns is to blow it all on a vacation or buying something nice. Spending a little on yourself is totally fine, but if you can harness some self-control and apply the rest of the return wisely, your future self will be thanking you ten times over.

Rainy Day Fund

A great way to use newfound cash is to build an emergency fund. It’s impossible to know when unfortunate circumstances will occur, so it’s essential to have some funds set aside to deal with whatever these problems may be. A solid emergency fund should hold at least six months of savings, so tax refund money is a great way to contribute.

Invest it

Another smart way to use tax refund money is to invest it. Making your money work for you is one of the best ways to grow income, without having to put a whole lot of work in. If you’re just getting into the investing world, there are many tools available to help you make smart decisions with your money.

Settle Your Debts

One of the best things you can do with a tax refund is to pay down debt. Now, you don’t have to put all of this towards debts, some of it can still pay for that trip to Hawaii or a new pair of shoes. But allocating a portion of the return to pay off your loans can decrease the life of your loan and help you get out ahead of your payments.

Refinancing your loans is a great way to simplify them into one monthly payment, and it may save you money in the long run. When you refinance student loans with a company like Nelnet Bank, a lower interest rate and flexible monthly payment terms may help put you on the fast track to debt freedom. Refinancing your federal student loans into a private loan may cause you to lose certain benefits.

However you plan to spend your tax refund this year, do it wisely with the future in mind. Going on a shopping spree may feel pretty good at the time, but finally being rid of debt or having a safety cushion tucked away can feel a whole lot better.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post How to Smartly Spend Your Tax Refund appeared first on Nelnet Bank.

If you attend graduate school at least half-time, your loans can be deferred. That means you don’t have to make payments. Although that will provide immediate relief, there are other long-term financial implications to consider. It’s important to look at the kind of undergraduate loans you have before determining how to proceed.

What are the different types of education loans and their in-school interest rate charges?

Federal Subsidized Loans – With these loans, the federal government pays the interest while you are in school at least half-time. An in-school deferment on subsidized loans means you won’t move into repayment until you leave school.

Federal Unsubsidized Loans – Some or all of your federal undergraduate student loan may be unsubsidized, which basically means that you are responsible for the interest, even while in school. You can still defer your payments if you attend at least half-time. But, the interest continues to build, and is capitalized at repayment. Capitalization is unpaid interest that your lender adds to the principal balance of a loan. Future interest then accrues on the larger balance. That can add up.

Private Loans – These loans are taken out from banks, credit unions, and other lending organizations. You can generally defer private loan payments while in school at least half-time. However, interest accrues and capitalizes at repayment as well. More information about private loans is located in Nelnet Bank’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Tip: Paying any of the interest on private loans or unsubsidized loans each month while in graduate school can help. It can amount to significant savings in the long run.

How do I find out about my undergraduate student loan and my in-school options?

You can go to the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS) to obtain information about your federal undergraduate student loan. There, you will see the types of loans you have and the terms of each. You can also see the federal loan servicer(s) to whom your loans have been assigned. To find out about your private loans and servicers, check with your lender. Federal and private loan servicers work with you during school. They are also responsible for billing, collection, and information services provided throughout your undergraduate student loan repayment period.

You may wonder how servicers will know that you are in school and eligible for deferment. Your federal servicer(s) receive notification of your in-school status. This happens when your school reports enrollment information as part of their regular administrative procedures. Federal servicers automatically place you in deferment status and notify you. Make sure your private loan servicers know you are in school. Contact them and submit any required information, if needed.

Tip: Your servicers can advise you about the best in-school payment options. For example, working at a non-profit organization or at certain income levels may put you on a different repayment track for federal loans. It’s wise to take advantage of your servicers’ individualized counseling before making any decisions about how to handle your loans before, during, or after graduate school.

Do I have other loan management options for my private loans?

If you took out private loans as an undergraduate, you may want to explore whether refinancing your loans into one new private loan is a viable option before entering graduate school. If your undergraduate private loans have higher interest rates than those currently available, or if you would like to combine multiple loans into one loan, refinancing may be a good choice for you. Private refinance loans are based on credit and you may need a cosigner to get the best rate. Refinance loans usually offer in-school deferment options if you attend school at least half-time. Interest accrues and will be capitalized at repayment.

Be cautious about including federal loans in a refinance loan. Even if the rate is lower, you will lose loan forgiveness, income-driven repayment options, and some other features available only in federal programs.

What about the loans I’ll take out while in grad school?

Since subsidized federal loans are not available to graduate students, interest accrues on both federal and private loans while you’re in school. If you are unable to make interest payments on all of your loans while in graduate school, consider paying interest on the highest rate loan(s) first. Any progress you can make on paying interest will put you in a better position when you move into loan repayment.

Talking with your federal and private loans servicers can help you determine the best options in your specific situation. Education loan management can seem complicated. Your servicers can look at your accounts and provide information about the best choices for you.

Nelnet Bank does not provide legal, investment, tax, or financial advice. This page and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This content is not meant to address the circumstances of any particular individual. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a recommendation or endorsement by Nelnet Bank. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consult with a qualified professional.

From time to time, articles may provide hyperlinks to web pages operated by third parties. When you click on these hyperlinks, you will be leaving Nelnet Bank’s website. Nelnet Bank has no control over such sites or their content, and is not responsible or liable for any such site or content. Nelnet Bank does not endorse or recommend the contents of the third-party sites. Your use of a third party website is subject to their terms of use and privacy policy.

The post Going to Graduate School? Options for Managing Undergraduate Student Loan Debt appeared first on Nelnet Bank.