Brianna McGurran
Forbes
New York, United States
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Past articles by Brianna:
Average Student Loan Payment: Estimate How Much You’ll Owe
Your monthly student loan payment depends on the amount you borrowed, your interest rate and your repayment plan. Here's how to estimate your average payment. → Read More
UGMA vs. UTMA vs. 529 Plans: Which Is Best for You?
There are several college savings plans that offer tax breaks to help parents prepare their child for college financially. Here's how to decide which is best for you. → Read More
Can You File Bankruptcy On Student Loans?
While it is possible to have your student loans discharged through bankruptcy, it can be difficult and complicated. Here's what you need to know. → Read More
ACT Vs. SAT: How To Choose Which Standardized Test To Take
Many colleges use the SAT and ACT standardized tests to help determine whether to admit you to their school. Here's a break down of both tests, and your other options. → Read More
How To Build A College Budget
After months of filling out applications and writing essays, you’ve finally done it: You’ve been accepted into college and will be attending school in the fall. Besides classes and schoolwork, you have some other big responsibilities ahead—you’ll have to manage your expenses and spending. To make → Read More
Can You Use Student Loans For Living Expenses?
You can use your student loans to help cover living expenses while attending school. But are restrictions and drawbacks we'll walk you through. → Read More
Can I Buy a Home If I Have Student Loan Debt?
Getting a mortgage can be more challenging if you have student loans. But you can increase your chances of getting a home loan by taking these steps. → Read More
How To Lower Your Student Loan Interest Rate
Student loan interest can be deceiving. When you're talking about incremental differences—like comparing 5.6% and 6% interest rates—it's easy to assume that a few tenths of a percent doesn't really matter. But over the life of a loan, those incremental differences can add up to hundreds and even → Read More
Are College Scholarships and Grants Taxable?
Student scholarships and grants are a form of gift aid that you don't have to pay back. However, you might have to file some as taxable income on your returns. Here’s what you need to know. → Read More
Where To Find Scholarships For Latino And Hispanic Students
If you're Hispanic or Latino and would like to attend college but can't afford it, there are many scholarships available to help offset the cost. Here's where to look. → Read More
4 Best Scholarships For LGBTQ Students
Here are the top four scholarships to help the LGBTQ community attend college. → Read More
What Happens To Student Loans If You Move Abroad?
Living abroad has plenty of benefits: the chance to lower your cost of living, learn a new language and immerse yourself in a new culture. If you have student loans, though, that’s one thing you can’t get rid of. You’re still on the hook for paying off your student loans no matter where you live. → Read More
How Does Transferring Colleges Affect Student Loans?
Transferring from one college to another isn’t always the most seamless experience. Making sure your new school accepts your credits, adjusting your course load and possibly moving to a new campus can be difficult. How you pay for school is an extra layer of stress, which is why you’ll need to ad → Read More
How Divorce Affects Your Student Loan Debt
The financial fallout from a divorce often catches people by surprise. When you're going through an emotionally difficult life experience, money matters may take a back seat until the dust settles. But addressing financial issues early on will make the transition easier. That's why, if you or you → Read More
How to Use Crowdfunding to Pay Off Student Loans
Crowdfunding is when you raise funds virtually for a particular goal or cause, like helping to pay your student loans. Here's the best way to raise the most funds. → Read More
How To Go To College For Free
Paying for school can be expensive, but there are many ways to go to college for free. Here's how. → Read More
529 Prepaid Tuition Plan: Is It Right For You?
Prepaid tuition plans are offered by 10 states and give participants the option to pay for future tuition at today’s prices. Here's what you need to know. → Read More
529 Plans Hit Record Highs In 2020
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, 529 college savings plans are reaching record-high balances and returns. Here's what to know about their performance and making use of the extra savings. → Read More
How To Use Extra 529 Plan Money
A 529 college savings plan is an investment account that allows families to save for a child’s education-related expenses tax free. States run these plans, and while you don’t have to use the one your home state offers, you may get extra tax breaks for doing so. If your child receives generous sc → Read More
How To Work With A Student Loan Ombudsman
A student loan ombudsman is an independent and confidential resource that helps you with student loans and sometimes federal financial aid concerns. → Read More