The FAFSA helps students get federal and state financial aid, including student loans. Most families are eligible for some form of federal financial aid for college. https://t.co/ct3hAA5jlT ...

Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) - FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is crucial for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including scholarships and loans [5][6] - The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 school year is already available [3][7] - Completing FAFSA early provides an estimate of federal financial aid eligibility and allows focus on other college planning tasks [8][9] - Some institutional aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, emphasizing the importance of early submission [10] - To start, students and at least one parent (if the student is dependent) need to create an account at studentaid.gov using their social security number and personal information [12][13] - It's crucial to use a personal email address for the studentaid.gov account, not a work or school email, as it will be a lifelong account [16][17] - Changes to asset information: Businesses or farms with 100 or fewer employees no longer need to include those assets [19] - Parents will be limited to borrowing $20,000 per year per student for a total of $65,000 per student [21] Credit Cards - American Express Platinum card's annual fee increased from $695 to $895, but offers over $3,500 in potential annual value through perks [25][26] - The Amex Platinum card offers benefits like up to $600 in annual hotel credit, up to $400 in annual Resy dining credit, and up to $300 in annual digital entertainment credit [26] - The Capital One Venture X card offers a more cost-effective option with a lower annual fee and straightforward travel benefits, including a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles [31][32] Mortgages - Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are regaining popularity as buyers seek lower rates [35] - Current ARM rates are around 5.8% for a 7 or 10-year period, compared to 6.3%-6.4% for 30-year fixed rates [37][38] - ARM market share reached a post-crisis high of approximately 13% recently, before falling back to 9% [39] - Today's ARMs adjust every 6 months or a year, unlike the monthly adjustments seen before the 2008 crisis [41] - ARMs are tied to SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate), which is closely linked to the federal funds rate [44] Pet Insurance - The average annual premium for accident-only pet insurance coverage in 2023 was about $116 for cats and $204 for dogs [48] - Accident and illness plans are common and offer a wide range of coverage, including accidents, injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions [57][58] - A wellness plan can be added to pet insurance for preventative care, visits to the vet, and vaccines [58] Retirement Planning - If a company suspends 401k matching, individuals can gradually increase their own contributions or adjust their retirement plan [63][64] - For 2025, the regular 401k contribution limit is $23,000, with an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution for those 50 and older, bringing the total to $30,500 [65][66] - Starting next year, individuals with wages of $145,000 or more must make all catch-up contributions to a Roth 401k [68]

Many states and colleges require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, application before the Fall 2025 semester starts. Here are some things students and their parents need to know about it. https://t.co/cd7YMOvTdn ...