Once they’ve maxed federal financial aid, many students turn to private student loans. They can be used for a variety of educational expenses, including tuition, housing, books and computers. Available from traditional banks, credit unions and fintechs, private student loans tend to have higher limits and a faster approval process than federal loans. If you
As of Monday, August 11, 2025, average U.S. mortgage rates remain steady, with the 30-year fixed rate at 6.5% and the 15-year fixed at 5.5%, according to Zillow Home Loans. Adjustable-rate options, such as the 7-year ARM, are averaging 6.875%. These rates are largely unchanged from last week, reflecting a holding pattern in the housing
How are tariffs and your 401(k) retirement savings intertwined? Experts say a rise in tariffs can lead to several factors that impact your retirement savings. A Morningstar study reveals that passively managed index funds generally outperform actively managed funds. Lower operating costs are a key factor in the superior performance of index funds. This trend
When larger banks stepped out of the reverse mortgage market in the 2010s, Finance of America gobbled up much of the demand to become one of the biggest names in the field. Today, FOA is the second-largest reverse mortgage provider after Mutual of Omaha. In 2024, it originated 8,995 loans, worth a total $1.9 billion.
You’ve finished applying to college, got accepted and made your decision. Now it’s time to apply again, this time for financial aid. Whether you’re looking to cover the full cost or just fill in the gaps, student loans can help make college more affordable by spreading out the payments over time. Here’s how to apply
The higher your credit score, the better your chances of approval on financial products with a lower interest rate. Even if you have a fair or bad credit score, though, you have options. Some lenders approve applicants with credit scores below 580 for personal loans to cover medical bills, household repairs, debt consolidation and other needs.
Founded in 2014, fintech College Ave has student loans for parents, undergraduates and graduate students, with a range of repayment terms, from full principal and interest while studying to no in-school payments. In addition to its lower rates and no co-signing requirement, College Ave is known for its speedy application process: Borrowers can apply and
Today, after a year-long pause, interest resumed on student loans enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. Launched by the Biden administration in 2023, SAVE was intended to give borrowers an affordable path to repaying student loans. But it’s been in limbo since last summer, when federal courts blocked it in response to
Small business loans can be instrumental in helping businesses reach new heights. Getting approved for them, however, can sometimes be challenging for borrowers with lower personal credit scores (think scores below 670). Small Business Administration (SBA) microloans are ideal for those with bad credit as they often have less strict eligibility requirements than other government-backed
Mortgage rates need to get below 6% to reinvigorate the frosty housing market, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households, NAR economists shared at the July 16 Real Estate Forecast Summit. “If rates were to hit