For Parents and Cosigners Archives - Page 5 of 8

FAFSA Simplification Act: Changes to the FAFSA
Ascent Funding walks you through the changes that will be happening to the FAFSA with the FAFSA Simplification Act.

December 20, 2024 | By: Ascent
When is FAFSA Due for the 2024-25 School Year? Deadlines & FAQs for Students
Worried about missing important FAFSA deadlines for the upcoming school year? Ascent Funding outlines all of the financial aid deadlines you need to know!

June 09, 2025 | By: Ascent
Confused about Federal Student Loan Repayments? Questions from Students, Answers from Ascent
Ascent hosted an engaging webinar to address what’s on many people’s minds - federal student loan repayment. We know that embarking on this journey can be overwhelming and you're not alone. According to NerdWallet, “nearly 44 million borrowers with student loans” are entering repayment. We're committed to supporting individuals every step of the way. Our recent webinar, 'Federal Student Loan Repayment De-Mystified,' covered several topics ranging from how to prepare for repayment to understanding your repayment plan and exploring the invaluable resources available for those making budget adjustments. We want to offer resources and address some important audience questions we didn’t have time to cover and provide guidance and support on this complex topic. There are some great options for student loan repayment. What are the potential downsides to an Income Driven Repayment plan (IDR)? Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans may be a good option for students that are unable to make their required payments under a standard, graduated or extended repayment plan, have low income or are enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, among other reasons. However, it is not always the best option for all students. Some of the disadvantages of IDR's include: You might not qualify for a lower payment than under a standard repayment plan Depending on which IDR plan, loan balances may increase as well as total cost of the loan due to unpaid interest It will generally take longer to fully repay the debt obligation Monthly payments may increase as your income increases There may be tax consequences for forgiven loan balances, and you may want to consult a tax professional What if my monthly payment is too high? How can I reduce this to a manageable amount? According to StudentAid.gov, “Most federal student loans are eligible for at least one income-driven repayment plan. If your income is low enough, your payment could be as low as $0 per month.” Start by exploring the new SAVE plan and use the Loan Simulator. This tool will help you explore repayment options that fit your needs. You can also reach out to your Loan Servicer to explore options for reducing your monthly payment. To find your Loan Servicer: Log into StudentAid.gov, view your Dashboard and access their information on the right-hand side panel. What is PSLF and how can I qualify? The Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a program for individuals employed by a government or non-profit organization that forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans: If you are working full time for an eligible employer After you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan The PSLF Help Tool is a great place to start and will help you: Search for qualifying employers List what actions you may need to take to become eligible Generate a PSLF form (tip: You must complete the form in a single session) Need more info? Check out this helpful FAQ about PSLF What types of student loan repayment options are there for Parent Plus Loans? Parent PLUS borrowers are eligible for the following repayment plans: Standard Repayment Plan Graduated Repayment Plan Extended Repayment Plan According to StudentAid.gov, “Parent borrowers can become eligible for an additional repayment plan—the Income-Contingent Repayment Plan—by consolidating their parent PLUS loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.” If you have concerns about making payments, reach out to your Loan Servicer to discuss your options. Need more info? Check out these Parent Plus FAQs The conversation is far from over The conversation is far from over. It's ever evolving, and we recognize the importance of this topic for enrolled and unenrolled students, graduates and cosigners. We're dedicated to delving deeper and bringing more insights, advice, and conversations in the coming weeks. Stay tuned and keep sharing your questions, concerns, and personal experiences as it helps shape these discussions and strengthens our Ascent community.

October 04, 2023 | By: Ascent
What Will Make the Biggest Impact on Your Financial Future
Take the stress out of financial planning for college students with these five key steps.

June 05, 2025 | By: Ascent
How to Qualify for Student Loans & Eligibility Requirements
Confused about private student loans? Learn how to qualify for private student loans and other eligibility requirements in this blog.

May 23, 2023 | By: Ascent
How to Get a Student Loan
There are several ways to get student loans, with a cosigner or without. Read how to get a student loan here to learn more.

December 29, 2025 | By: Ascent
How One Student is Pursuing His Dreams
Congratulations to Harsimran Sandhu, our $10,000 Pursue Your Dream Contest winner! We asked students to share their ambitions in a 30-90 second video and explain how they plan to use the money to reach their dreams.

April 13, 2023 | By: Ascent
What I've Learned in College
College has been some of the best few years of my life and I've learned a lot along the way working toward my own success.

April 04, 2023 | By: Ascent
5 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month – read our blog post for a few tips on how to give back and support the Black community all year long.

January 31, 2023 | By: Ascent
How to Get Straight A's in College
If straight A’s is something you're striving for, follow these 13 tips to build the skills needed to achieve good grades in college.

January 13, 2025 | By: Ascent
Ascent Parents Speak On Student Success
New adventures can be intimidating—whether it’s moving to a faraway campus, exploring some new classes, or furthering a budding career with a bootcamp program, there’s a lot to prepare for.

January 05, 2023 | By: Ascent