College financial aid can make the difference between a dream school and overwhelming debt. This article breaks down how grants, scholarships, and loans work, walks you through the FAFSA, and highlights strategies to maximize aid and reduce out-of-pocket college costs. With good planning, higher education becomes more accessible and less financially stressful.

With income uncertainties and spending changes brought on by COVID-19, it’s crucial to adapt your budget. These five tips—building an emergency fund, using a 50/30/20 spending rule, managing credit card debt, exploring loan relief programs, and refinancing your mortgage—can help you gain financial stability in uncertain times.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted March 2020, provides critical financial benefits for both individuals and businesses. For individuals: stimulus checks, waived penalties for early retirement withdrawals, and suspended required minimum distributions (RMDs). For businesses: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offer cash infusions to cover payroll, operating expenses, and maintain employment durin