News Articles | ABNB Federal

Attend Our Free FAFSA Webinar!

Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important parts of the college financial aid process. Learn more about the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, and online application that collects information used by nearly 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal aid. Read More

Student Loan Grace Periods

What is a student loan grace period, and how does it affect you? Read More

Student Loan Webinar - Recording Now Available

The recording of our recent webinar on student loans is now available. Read More

Senior Year - Preparing for College

As a high school senior, you are likely looking forward to spring break, graduation, and of course college! While your senior year is a time of celebration and making memories, it can also be stressful as you look ahead to your college journey. By now you have applied to your top choice colleges and should be receiving acceptance and financial aid information soon. So what’s next? Read More

Tax Benefits for College Students

Did you know there are several special tax breaks just for college students and their parents? Learn more about how these benefits could get you a bigger tax refund! Read More

Completing the FAFSA for More Than One Child

If you have more than one child attending college, you'll want to make the most of any financial aid available to you by completing the FAFSA for each student. Learn more from the U.S. Department of Education about completing the FAFSA for more than one child. Read More

FREE Webinar on Completing the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is one of the most important pieces of the financial aid puzzle for college students and their families. In this webinar, you will learn how to prepare for and complete the FAFSA, as well as what to expect after completing it. Read More

What Can Your Financial Aid Office Do For You?

Figuring out how you'll pay for college can be complicated, but your financial aid office can help! Read More

Making a "Major" Decision

If you're headed to college and are unsure of what major and degree you should pursue, we have some tips to help! Read More

Your Credit Score - What It Is and Why It Matters

You’ve probably heard the phrase “credit score,” but you might not know what it is or why it’s important. Here’s a quick overview. Read More

FREE Webinar - Understanding Student Loans

When scholarships and grants aren't enough to cover the costs of attending college, it may be necessary to seek out student loans. During this webinar, Student Choice's College Access Counselor will share information about Federal and private student loans, interest rates and terms, how to apply, and how to track your loans. Read More

Financial Aid for Non-Traditional Students

College financial aid isn't only for students just exiting high school. There are plenty of options available to help non-traditional students foot the bill for college as well. Read More

How Does the Work Study Program Work?

A work-study program offers students part-time employment in exchange for financial aid. Different programs have different rules, but the bottom line is that it helps students defray the cost of college by giving them work. Read More

Deciphering Award Letters - Recording Now Available!

If you missed our recent webinar about financial aid award letters, don't worry! It's now available to view on demand. Read an overview here and then access the recording. Read More

April is Financial Literacy Month!

With many Americans living paycheck to paycheck, April has been declared National Financial Literacy Month. This month is dedicated to educating consumers about the steps they can take to better understand their finances, while making strides to become more financially secure. Read More

Last Minute Spring Break on a Budget

If you didn't plan or save for a huge college spring break trip, fear not – there are plenty of options still available! You likely won't be heading out on a week-long trip to a tropical destination on such short notice, but you can still arrange some fun – and cheap – outings. Here are some tips for making the most of your spring break. Read More

When Will My College Degree Pay Off?

You planned for college. You and your family saved for college. Maybe now you're close to graduating from college. So what is that college degree really worth, and when will you truly start to see the benefits of your education? Read More

Free College Planning Webinar – Deciphering Award Letters

Student Choice is committed to providing tools that help families better understand the financial aid process. As part of that commitment, we offer a quarterly webinar series, led by our College Access Counselor. Check out and register for our next topic "Deciphering Award Letters". Read More

How to Find Scholarship Money to Help Pay for College

The best way to pay for college is with FREE money (money you don't have to pay back once you graduate). This comes in the form of scholarships and grants. There are many sources of scholarship money, and amounts can range from a few hundred dollars to the majority of your tuition. This post walks you through what you need to know about finding scholarships to pay for college. Read More

Do you have a story to tell?

ABNB Federal Credit Union and Credit Union Student Choice want to hear from you and your experience with your private student education financing. Read More

What Rising Interest Rates Mean for You

In December 2016, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate, and there is reason to believe the rate will increase again in the near future. So how does this affect you? Read More

A New Year and a New Look at Financial Wellness

New Year’s resolutions – many of us make them, a few will keep them, but many will fall to the wayside sooner than we’d like. If you’ve made a resolution to get your finances on track, we have some tips to help. And if you haven’t – why not add financial wellness to your list of goals for 2017? Read More

Tell us how ABNB Federal Credit Union has helped you invest in your future!

ABNB Federal Credit Union and Credit Union Student Choice want to hear from you and your experience with your private student loan. Read More

7 Steps to Completing the FAFSA

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical first step in the financial aid process. Uncover the 7 steps to getting it done! Read More

5 things to have next to you when completing the FAFSA

Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first major step in determining how you will pay for college. Before you begin you should gather the following required information to make sure you aren’t scrambling to find it once you file. Read More

Changes Come to the FAFSA This Month

You can now submit your FAFSA beginning October 1st of the prior school year. This means if you are attending college for the 2017-18 academic year (as a freshman or returning student), you can submit your FAFSA now! Read More

Paying Off Your Student Loans

Entering repayment for your student loans can be just as stressful and confusing as funding your college education in the first place. Check out our free webinar (on-demand) covering what you need to know about repayment! Read More

Last Minute Ways to Pay for College

If you’re headed to college this fall, you’ve likely received your tuition bill and the deadline to pay is quickly approaching. Here are a few suggestions for last minute ways to foot the bill if you’re sweating how to cover your costs. Read More

College Prep Webinar Recording Now Available

A recording and webinar materials are available now online for "College Prep: Steps to Success," led by Student Choice College Access Counselor Patricia Poplicean. Read More

What’s in a Name? Elite Schools May Not Be Worth The Costs

When it comes to choosing a college, students and parents may think it’s worth the hefty price tag to attend a more prestigious school. But a recent article in The Wall Street Journal shows that attending an elite level college may not actually pay off in the end. Read More

College Seminar Offered in Norfolk on Feb. 2

Attending college is a major life event - let us help eliminate some of the stress and guide you through the steps of preparing for college and the costs that come with it. Read More

Responsible Credit Card Use

Many young people see credit cards in one of two ways: “Yay, free money!” or “No way, I’m steering clear of those!” What you may not realize is there is a middle ground in the form of responsible credit card use. Read More

The Building Blocks of Good Credit

If you’re headed off to college for the first time, you may have never given any thought to your credit score or how it affects loans you apply for. You might not even know what a credit score really is. But as you venture closer to being an independent adult, it’s vital that you understand the basics of building good credit. Read More

Decoding Types of Financial Aid

Deciphering the lingo of financial aid may seem like learning a whole new language. But it’s not as complicated as you might think. Read More

Managing Your Money Has Never Been Easier

It used to be you had to actually get in your car, drive through traffic, and wait in line at your bank (yes, the actual branch) before you could do anything with your money — get cash, check on your balance, transfer money or deposit checks. Now all it takes is a few clicks of your mouse or taps on your cell phone and all your banking is done. Read More

Your Financial Aid Office is Your Friend

One of the first friends you should make at college is in the financial aid office. While you may think you only need to worry about your finances once each year when you complete your FAFSA, there are all sorts of things your financial aid representative can help you with throughout your college career. Read More

FAFSA PIN replaced by FSA ID to ease access for students and parents

Let’s face it — the student loan process is a little cumbersome: lots of information to gather, dates to remember, forms to complete, etc. And up until last month, borrowers had to use a PIN — a 4-digit password used to sign your loan application. Parents also had to have their own unique PIN. Now the FAFSA PIN has been replaced with the FSA ID. This new ID simplifies the overall borrowing process for students and their parents (who also have to have their own FSA ID) and complies with new sec Read More

Health Insurance Options for Students

Health insurance has certainly been a hot topic in the last couple of years. And whether you are for or against Obama Care (aka the Affordable Care Act), the fact is that since it was signed into law, your options for getting health coverage have grown tremendously. It’s also gotten trickier because now each and every one of us is legally required to have health insurance, so instead of simply deciding if you want coverage, now you must decide which coverage is best. To answer that question, you’re going to have to do a little studying. Read More

Helpful Resources to Get You Ready for College

Preparing for college is a very emotional and exciting time. First you’re busy writing essays and completing applications, then you’re anxiously awaiting news about which colleges have accepted you and finally, there’s the fear and anticipation of what college life will really be like once you get there. Read More

How to Analyze Your Financial Aid Award Letter

If you’ve completed all your applications and most of your requirements, by now you should start receiving some financial aid award letters from the universities and colleges you applied to. Essentially, the letter aims to tell you how much financial assistance you can expect from the university, plus how much you’ll have to cover on your own. Read More

Start Writing Your Award-Winning Scholarship Essay Today!

Essays can make the scholarship application process difficult. However, no scholarship that’s worth having comes easily, and if you follow this advice, any scholarship essay is achievable! Read More

[VIDEO] Common questions about college financing answered!

What are your options for funding your college education? You have been accepted to college, now what? Now you have to figure out how to pay for it. There are many options, and it is important to know where to start. Watch this quick video from iGrad and get handle on all of your options! Read More

Financial Aid for the non-traditional Student

It is a common misconception that only fresh high school graduates can avail themselves of financial aid for their college education. As a result, a lot of adults who wish to return to college may be disheartened and eventually just give up on their dream to finally graduate. Read More

5 Tips to start applying for scholarships and grants

Don’t miss out on scholarships and grants you can still win for next fall. I’ve talked to families that are so amazing at the scholarship search that they didn’t need the money they saved for college. Start applying for scholarships and grants with the following five tips: Read More

How to Fill Out the FAFSA in 7 Easy Steps

Learn how to fill out the FAFSA in seven easy steps. Feel free to use this video as a helpful companion while you work on your FAFSA. Read More

Search for Scholarships with Scholly

Have you been brave enough to venture into the scholarship jungle? It can be an overwhelming, almost frightening place — there are hundreds, if not thousands, of choices. While the idea of free money sounds great (especially considering how outrageously expensive college is!), finding the right scholarships can take hours and hours of research. Many students are so overwhelmed, they end up not applying for any at all. Read More

FAFSA Tips – Quick Hints to Filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Your FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible, starting right now! Yes you need the information from your 2014 tax return, but don’t wait until you’ve completed your taxes to start on the form. You can use estimated figures and go back and fix them once you’ve completed your taxes. keep reading for more tips and tricks. Read More

Last Minute Gift Ideas - Smart Budget Shopping

With so few days left in the holiday shopping season, it is easy to find yourself buying last minute gifts that take you way outside of your budget. Friends or co-workers that you may not have included on your shopping list suddenly surprise you with a nicely wrapped, thoughtful gift and the waves of panic and guilt set in. Continue reading... Read More

Why You Shouldn’t Avoid Student Loans Altogether – The Surprising Downside of Steering Clear of Student Loans

Trying to Avoid All Student Loan Debt? Not So Fast! As someone who has actively used student loans to help finance my own undergraduate and graduate degrees along with my husband’s law degree, I have seen the benefits of taking on student debt to achieve specific goals firsthand. My husband is a practicing attorney and I have been steadily employed in the financial services industry ever… Read More

Effective Study Habits - Study the Way You Learn

Try a New Approach to Studying Congratulations! Your midterms are probably over by now – perhaps your first big hurdle of the new school year. And by now you should be feeling pretty well established at school. New classes, new friends, new challenges. But if those midterm grades weren’t exactly what you’d hoped for, it’s probably a good time to re-examine… Read More

College Roommate Survival Guide

I just spent the weekend visiting my college roommate. Why is this noteworthy? Because I graduated a LONG time ago and we’re still close friends. I feel lucky to have had her as a friend all these years. Is what I have unusual? Maybe. While there’s no guarantee you’ll… Read More

A Quick Guide to Study Groups

I remember struggling in an intro chemistry class. I was totally lost and knew I needed help. I decided that a study group was the solution, so guess what I did? I asked the smartest guy in the room if he wanted to form a group with me. He… Read More

Tips for Balancing College, Work, Life on Campus

During my senior year of college, I worked 25-hours a week in our financial aid office, planned my wedding (which happened to be the day before my graduation), served as an officer in my sorority and was president of an on-campus club. This was the beginning of my family nickname: the overscheduler! However, I learned a… Read More

What Do You Really Need for College? Needs Versus Wants

Starting college and living on your own for the first time can help you realize rather quickly that these items you think you “need” may not be necessities after all. Five dollar coffees may be relatively easy to cut out of your daily budget, but there are larger items that can cause ripple effects on your finances. Read More

How Do Student Loans Affect Your Credit Score

We recently talked about how your credit (or lack thereof) can affect your eligibility for student loans. But there’s another important way student loans and credit are tied to one another. Once your student loans go into repayment, the way you handle those payments can have an impact on your credit score - for better or for worse. Continue reading... Read More

College Student Loan Myths Busted

The news these days is filled with stories about the student loan burden: students graduating with back-breaking debt, whether or not it’s even worth going to college, and how much student loan debt is ok to have. These are all important topics that college students should pay attention to. What’s not so good are the myths that are circulated among students and graduates. This article will clear up some misconceptions you may have heard about student loans. Read More

How to Handle Student Loans after College Graduation

College graduation got you thinking about repaying student loans? Check out these three steps you need to know to start the repayment process off right! Read More

Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say

Some newly minted college graduates struggle to find work. Others accept jobs for which they feel overqualified. Student debt, meanwhile, has topped $1 trillion. It’s enough to create a wave of questions about whether a college education is still worth it. A new set of income statistics answers those questions quite clearly: Yes, college is worth it, and it’s not even close. For all the struggles that many young college graduates face, a four-year degree has probably never been more valuable. Read More

High School Graduation To-Do List

You’ve all heard this saying before: Graduation is bittersweet. You’re happy that you’re finally graduating and about to start a new chapter in your life, yet you’re sad to be leaving your friends, favorite teachers, your family and even your dog (if you have one). So here’s a new way to characterize the time around your high school graduation: Read More

College Students and Grads to Benefit from Student Choice iGrad Partnership

Credit Union Student Choice, the foremost provider of higher education financing solutions to America’s credit unions, has announced a new partnership with iGrad, an award-winning source of financial literacy tools and resources. Together, the organizations will work to empower students and their families to make effective personal finance, student loan and career decisions. Read More

NPR - The Most and Least Lucrative College Majors - In 2 Graphs

NPR's Planet Money outlines some of the most (and least) lucrative fields of study for college students. Engineers top the list while many liberal arts majors fall short. Read more about the in the NPR article by clicking below. Read More

Working During College - Some Part-time Jobs are Better than Others

Starting college soon and looking for a part-time job? Lots of students are in the same spot you are and there are a few things to think about on your quest. Not all jobs are created equal and your prerequisites will change over time... Read More

Are Federal Student Loans Still the Best Choice?

In light of recent legislation discussions, rate changes and headlines flooding the media, I get this question a lot. Federal student loans have long been considered the “gold standard” for education financing, but is that distinction deserved today? The short answer is yes, but why? We'll examine why federal loans inherited their “King of the Hill” status on the Student Choice Blog. Read More

5 Money Lessons Every New Graduate Needs to Know

The Huffington Post writer Adam Levin gives new graduates 5 tips on how to handle their finances after college. Read More

Four Degrees that Guarantee a Job Offer - US News and World Report

If you're graduating this year, you may be biting your nails about what will happen in terms of finding a job. Everywhere you turn, people are saying they're just not hiring. What's a new grad to do? Fortunately, the economy is getting better, and we're seeing movement in the job market, specifically in a few industries. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Outlook 2013 study, employers plan to hire about 13 percent more new grads than they did last year... Read More

Obama Administration Releases “College Scorecard”

During President Obama’s State of the Union address, the President made several notable comments about higher education, stressing the importance of “affordability” and “value” when it comes to choosing a college. In order to help students and parents compare schools and “get the most bang for your educational buck”, the President also announced that his Administration would release a new “College Scorecard”. Continue reading for more... Read More

Are You Taking on Too Much Student Debt?

You should always exhaust lower-cost sources of funding such as scholarships, grants and federal Stafford loans before getting a private student loan. This new illustration helps you break down process and figure out the right amount of student loans to help you get through college with the least amount of debt possible! Read More

New Tools for Comparing Colleges and Financing Options

The Department of Education has release two new online resources for understanding your financial aid and comparing your options. The College Affordability and Transparency Center allows you to compare colleges and costs, while the Financial Awareness Counseling Tool helps you understand financial aid and student loans. The US News and World Report has also compiled a robust list of Net Price Calculators from colleges around the country. Check out this article for links and more info... Read More