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The transition to a college life is looming. In the movies, kids show up to their spacious dorm rooms with a few suitcases and transform the place into a magical wonderland. The reality is a bit different.  

It happens all the time. Aid that covered you in the fall isn't available in the spring.

As the holiday shopping season ramps up and the fall semester wraps up, many families find there is a difference between their budget and the tuition bill due.

But you don’t have to set your family’s educational progress back by taking a semester off. Here are five ways to make up the balance.

When your kid was little, it was pretty easy to say no.

No, you’re not going to jump in the mud in your new shoes.
No, it’s not time for a cookie. It’s time for kale.
No, you cannot smear yourself with butter before school.

When you said no back then it was to keep them safe, healthy, and socially responsible. As they’ve gotten older, it’s harder to say no because they ask for less ridiculous things. You’ve set curfews, insisted they send text messages, and even loaned them your car. You see them growing into an adult right before your eyes. So saying no feels different.

If you’re considering taking out a loan to help your son or daughter pay for college, you obviously want to get the best deal possible.

However, with so many options, it can be hard to know how to get an apples-to-apples comparison on different loan types.

We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll look at the Parent PLUS loan and discuss how it stacks up against loans from private lenders.

Do parents have a say when it comes to their child’s college education?

Show of hands: how many of you are hoping (or assuming) that your parents will handle the college loan process for you?

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Many students are already busy enough applying for school admission and scholarships. Plus, you may assume that parents are more qualified to navigate the loan process.

While it’s true that parents can be a tremendously valuable resource in choosing and securing college loans, it’s critical for students to get involved as well.

In this article, we’re going to give you the straight scoop on how your loans can impact your future, and point out some red flags you should look out for when evaluating private student loans.