Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 8h

A 401(k) is built for retirement, not debt payoff.
Pulling funds early triggers taxes, penalties, and decades of lost growth.

Explore safer ways to pay student loans — and let your retirement money keep working for you.
#studentloans

Should You Use Your 401k For Student Loan Repayment? (2025 Update)

Learn why using your 401(k) for student loans can cost more than you think—and smarter options under SECURE 2.0.

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 8h

FAFSA has no income cap. Even families earning six figures can receive aid. Filing every year keeps your options open for grants, loans, and scholarships.
#fafsa

Think You Make Too Much for Financial Aid? You Probably Don’t

There’s no FAFSA income cutoff to receive financial aid. Learn how income and family size affect aid eligibility under new SAI rules.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 21h

Looking for a new student checking account? Here's the best options right now:

Best College Student Checking Accounts Of October 2025

We break down the best college student bank accounts for 2025, with a focus on free checking, mobile banking, and more.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 1d

Spending more than you earn? Ignoring your budget? These small habits can snowball into big setbacks. Here are 10 money habits worth fixing today.
thecollegeinvestor.com/19037/10-bad...

10 Bad Money Habits To Break In 2025

Break these 10 bad money habits and take control of your finances in 2025.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 1d

Ever wonder why you fill out a W-4 when starting a job and get a W-2 later? One controls your paycheck. The other reports what happened. Get familiar with both—small updates can make a big difference come tax time.
#taxes

What's The Difference Between A W2 and W4?

This is the difference between a W4 and a W2!

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 2d

Looking for a new savings account? You can earn up to $1,000 for a new savings account with these top bonus offers:
thecollegeinvestor.com/22636/bank-b...

Best Bank Account Bonus Offers In October 2025

If you're willing to switch banks, you could get some great bank bonus offers. Here are some to consider and a few details as well.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 2d

TRAPs are binding workers to jobs by charging “training costs” if they leave too soon. It’s helping some employers sidestep non-competes. And leaving workers with "shadow" student loan debt.
#debt #studentloans

Workers Face Debt Traps Hidden In Job Training Deals

TRAPs tie workers to jobs through fake “training debts.” States like California are banning them.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 2d

Nurses and healthcare workers: Your student loans might not have to stick with you. Federal, state, and employer-backed programs offer forgiveness and aid—some wiping out the full balance.
#studentloans
thecollegeinvestor.com/19823/nursin...

The Ultimate Guide To Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness

If you have student loan debt from a nursing degree, check out this post to learn more about nursing student loan forgiveness options.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 3d

Think student loan payments fuel federal revenue? Turns out the government actually lost $19.64 per $100 borrowed in 2024. Interest helps cover servicing, defaults, and borrowing costs—not big profits.
#studentloans

Does The Government Profit Off Of Student Loans?

Depending on who you ask, the government either earned a profit or lost money on federal student loans. Here's how it works.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 4d

Education Department lays off 466 workers—about 20% of its staff—as the government shutdown continues. Oversight and aid programs may face further delays.
#highereducation #education

Education Department Quietly Fires 20% Of Its Staff Amid Shutdown

The Education Department laid off 466 workers, nearly 20% of staff, amid the ongoing federal shutdown.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 4d

Over 1 in 10 college students transfer before graduation. If you’re one of them, make sure you know how your credits, aid, and timeline are affected. A better fit might be just a few questions away.
thecollegeinvestor.com/46086/transf...

Why Students Transfer Colleges And How To Do It Successfully

Learn when and how to transfer colleges, keep credits, and make a smooth transition to your new campus.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 5d

California high school seniors will now have a direct path to college with the new CSU Direct Admission program.
#college #highereducation

New California Law Will Automatically Admit Qualified Students To College

Starting in 2026, qualified California seniors will be automatically admitted to CSU campuses. Here’s who qualifies and how it works.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 5d

The IRS released the tax tables for 2026, including the changes to the standard deduction. Here's what to know:
#taxes

2025 And 2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets And IRS Tax Tables

Are you wondering what the Federal tax brackets are, and where you land on the tax bracket system? Here's a table and other things to keep in mind.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 5d

FAFSA doesn’t count cash value from life insurance — but once that payout hits your bank, it’s fair game.
#fafsa
thecollegeinvestor.com/65892/life-i...

Does Life Insurance Count on the FAFSA? Here’s the Truth

Learn how life insurance affects FAFSA: what counts as income, what counts as assets, and how to protect your financial aid.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 6d

Furloughed federal workers may have to make tough choices with their student loans soon:
#studentloans

What Furloughed Federal Workers Should Do About Student Loans

Furloughed federal workers can set student loan payments to $0 to protect PSLF progress during the government shutdown.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 6d

Your FAFSA should reflect the current marital status of your household—not what your tax return from two years ago says. If things changed recently (like divorce or separation), there are ways to correct it after filing. Here's what families need to know.
#fafsa

How to Answer “Marital Status” on the FAFSA When Your Situation Changed

Learn how to report your marital status on the FAFSA, even after divorce or recent changes.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 6d

Start building wealth for your child now. Our top custodial investment accounts for 2025 feature low fees, strong tools, and kid-friendly investing. From robo-portfolios to teen debit cards, these platforms help kids grow their financial confidence.
thecollegeinvestor.com/38421/best-c...

Best UTMA and UGMA Accounts for Parents in 2025

Compare the best custodial investment accounts for kids and teens. See fees, flexibility, and top picks.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 6d

We're live talking FAFSA on YouTube:
#fafsa
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRht...

Basics of the FAFSA | Live with Joe Saul-Sehy and Robert Farrington

YouTube video by Stacking Benjamins

www.youtube.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 6d

Want to know how to fill out the FAFSA? I’m going live tonight on YouTube to teach you:

m.youtube.com/live/lRhtWRK...

Basics of the FAFSA | Live with Joe Saul-Sehy and Robert Farrington

Getting ready for college? One of the most important steps is filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). But what exactly is it, why does it matter, and how do you fill it out w...

m.youtube.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 7d

Ever wonder what your student loans will really cost you each month? This calculator connects your expected salary with repayment plans so you’re not guessing.
#studentloans #college

How Much Student Loan Debt Is Too Much? This Calculator Has an Answer

Use this calculator to see how much student loan debt you can afford, based on your major, graduation year, and borrowing choices.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 8d

Great update for working pros: 529 plans can soon help cover costs for CE classes & credentials. This is good news for financial planners, accountants, lawyers, and more!
#529plans
thecollegeinvestor.com/65795/529-pl...

New 529 Plan Rules Let Professionals Pay For Continuing Education Tax-Free

New 529 rules let you pay for continuing education and license fees tax-free. Learn how professionals can benefit.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 8d

College enrollment is down, but selective schools are swamped with applicants. What’s happening? Test-optional policies, more apps per student, and strategic waitlists are reshaping who gets in.
#highereducation

College Acceptance Rates Are Plummeting in 2025 — Here’s the Real Reason (and What You Can Do)

College acceptance rates in 2025 are at record lows. Learn why applications are soaring, how test-optional policies changed admissions, and what students can do.

thecollegeinvestor.com

The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 8d

The Trump Administration is once again talking about privatizing the student loan portfolio. Here's what they can do, and whether it even makes sense?
#studentloans

Can The Government Sell Its $1.6 Trillion Student Loan Portfolio?

President Trump announced he is considering privatizing student loans again. Can it legally happen and will it help or harm student loan borrowers?

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 9d

401(k) catch-up changes are coming in 2026. High earners 50+ will need to make Roth-only contributions. Some may lose the perk altogether if Roth isn’t offered.
#investing

High Earners Lose 401(k) Tax Break in 2026: What to Know

Starting in 2026, 401(k) catch-up contributions for workers earning over $145k must be Roth — no more pre-tax deduction.

thecollegeinvestor.com

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The College Investor @thecollegeinvestor.com · 9d

Thinking about college? The entrance exam you choose—SAT, ACT, or CLT—can shape more than your admissions. From timing strategies to test sections, here's how to play to your strengths before score time 🎓
thecollegeinvestor.com/44120/colleg...

College Entrance Exams 101: SAT vs ACT, Test-Optional Policies, and How to Prepare

Preparing for college entrance exams? Learn the key differences between the SAT, ACT, and CLT, how to prepare for each, and what test-optional policies mean for your 2025 college applications.

thecollegeinvestor.com