Your money, your degree, your plan.
Your money, your degree, your plan.
Build a term-by-term budget, stretch every dollar with student discounts, and level up your money skills with trusted resources like NGPF.
BUDGET BASICS STUDENT DISCOUNTSONLINE RESOURCES REPAYING STUDENT LOANS
Federal Student Aid Ombudsman: Resolve federal student aid disputes
In-Person Workshops
In-Person Workshops
OC Savvy Cash Campus In-Person Workshops Covering Key Money Topics.
Plan Your Funding
Plan Your Funding
Paying for College — free money first
Build your funding plan in this order. File early and re‑apply each year.
- Washington College Grant — need‑based aid for WA residents; no GPA minimum. Check eligibility & apply (via FAFSA or WASFA).
- Scholarships — apply for many small ones; they add up. OC Foundation Scholarships and WSAC scholarships.
- Federal Work‑Study — part‑time jobs on/off campus. What is Work‑Study?
- Federal Student Loans — borrow only what you need; understand interest & repayment. Loan types.
AFTER YOU BORROW
AFTER YOU BORROW
Repaying Student Loans
- Choose a plan that fits — compare income‑driven and other plans with the Loan Simulator.
- Know your servicer — find your servicer and track balances at studentaid.gov.
- Falling behind? — options include deferment, forbearance, or switching plans. Manage your loans.
- Default has serious consequences; if you can’t resolve a dispute with your servicer, contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman.
Tip: Before borrowing, compare expected salary in your field to projected monthly payments.