Student Loan & College Funding Webinars

Upcoming webinars

21Jul
2026

Financial Aid Changes for 2026: What Families Should Know

Navigating college costs just got more complicated. Federal student aid rules changed significantly starting July 1, 2026, affecting how much families can borrow, who qualifies for grants, and what repayment options will look like. In this webinar with College Advisor, we'll cut through the confusion and give you a clear picture of the new landscape, what it means for your specific situation, and the planning steps that matter most right now. Whether you're an incoming freshman, a high school junior or senior, or a parent trying to make sense of it all, this is the session to attend.

Date/Time: July 21, 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET
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13Aug
2026

The Stuff You Forgot to Budget For (Because Everyone Does)

The first month of college brings a wave of required expenses that many families didn’t plan for. This 30‑minute webinar covers the most common first‑month costs, what is truly required right away, and how to manage early‑semester expenses without unraveling the larger funding plan.

Date/Time: August 13, 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET
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Past webinar recordings

Back‑to‑School Budget Reset: Preparing for First Tuition Payments

As tuition bills approach, families often realize their budgets need a second look. This 30‑minute webinar helps parents and students reassess costs honestly, prioritize what matters most, and prepare for the first tuition payments with more confidence and less last‑minute scrambling.
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Money Talks: Aligning Before Bills Are Due

The shift from planning to paying for school can bring up a lot of unanswered questions – and even tougher conversations. In this 30‑minute session, we help families get aligned, set shared expectations, and walk through common ways families bridge remaining costs.
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Paying for Grad School: Cost, Planning, and What’s Changing

Get a clear picture of what grad school really costs—and what’s changed—in this 30-minute session. We break down the impact of recent Grad PLUS updates, what's actually included in total cost, and how to build a realistic funding plan before you commit.
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How to Transfer Colleges Without Losing Credits or Overpaying

Thinking about transferring colleges? Learn how to transfer credits successfully, reduce unnecessary college costs, and create a plan to graduate on time without overpaying.
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Paying for College: Let's Break Down What's Confusing and Build a Clear Plan

Trying to understand financial aid offers, FAFSA, scholarships, and the real cost of college? In this webinar, we break down how to read college financial aid offer letters, compare aid packages, identify hidden costs, and create a smarter plan to pay for college.
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Your Guide to Creating a Preferred Lender List in a Post-Grad PLUS World

Unpack key school decisions—from providing lender data or launching an RFI to managing compliance—while exploring real-world PLL examples and emerging best practices in higher education.
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College to Career: Practical Steps Students Can Take While in School

Learn practical strategies to make the most of your time in college, gain real-world experience, network effectively, and turn your college years into opportunities employers value.
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Cosigner Crash Course: What You Need to Know

Thinking about co-signing a student loan—or already a co-signer? This session breaks down the responsibilities, opportunities, and tips to protect your credit and make informed decisions with confidence.
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Paying for Spring Semester: Smart Borrowing Strategies

With spring tuition deadlines approaching, this 30-minute webinar shows students and parents practical steps to borrow wisely, budget smarter, and avoid common costly mistakes.
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Funding Your Transfer Journey: Navigating Hidden Costs & University Life

Transferring to a four-year university is exciting but can be costly. This webinar breaks down all expenses and offers strategies to budget wisely, compare schools, and uncover scholarships and financial aid.
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Understanding Student Loan Changes Amidst Uncertainty

Explore the evolving student loan landscape, get practical guidance for federal and private borrowers, and discover alternative ways to pay for school, including scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.
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More webinars

Paying for College 101: Navigating FAFSA®, Scholarships & Loans

This webinar breaks down everything you need to know about financial aid — from completing the FAFSA to finding scholarships, understanding work study, and knowing when private loans make sense.

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Scholarships: Cracking the Code

Think scholarships are only for top achievers and athletes? Think again. This webinar breaks down the real strategies for finding and winning scholarships — including where to look, how to stand out, and the common myths that hold students back.

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Eliminating FAFSA Stress: Expert Tips for 2025-2026 Application Success

This webinar walks you through everything you need to know about the 2025-2026 FAFSA application. Whether you're applying for the first time or navigating this year's changes, you'll leave with actionable tips to submit your application on time and secure the funding you need for college.

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Smart Spending: Using Lease-to-Own Wisely for College Costs

This webinar helps families better understand how to make smart financial decisions when it comes to college expenses. From budgeting basics to understanding different ways to pay for school, you’ll learn practical strategies to help reduce stress and make informed choices along the way.

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Dungeons, Dragons, and Disbursements

What if navigating financial aid was like embarking on a hero’s journey? This webinar uses the world of Dungeons & Dragons as a creative framework to explore the roles, skills, and teamwork that power successful financial aid offices.

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From High School to Hired: Real-World Experiences That Shape Students

This webinar explores how work-based learning opportunities help students build real-world skills beyond the classroom. Learn how internships, professional coaching, and career-connected experiences can help students prepare for success after graduation.

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Mastering College Costs: Essential Tips to Avoid Overpaying

Learn practical strategies to help families avoid overpaying for college. This session offers easy, actionable tips to make smart financial decisions and get the most value from your college investment.

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National Intern Day Webinar

Explore how organizations can provide meaningful experiences that equip students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed. Hear from leading experts in experiential and work-based learning as they share insights on creating impactful internship programs.

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Frequently asked questions

What topics do Ascent webinars cover?

Ascent webinars cover a range of education and financing topics, including paying for school, navigating student loans, career planning, and tips to set students up for long-term success.

Are Ascent webinars free?

Ascent webinars are always free, giving you access to expert insights and resources at no cost.

Can I watch past webinar recordings?

Missed a live webinar? You can catch up anytime by watching past recordings available right here on this page.

How do I register for an upcoming webinar?

Simply select the webinar you’re interested in and fill out the quick registration form. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details to join.

Guide to Paying for College

Student Loan Calculator

Grad School Funding Gap

Student Loan & College Funding Webinars

Upcoming webinars

Financial Aid Changes for 2026: What Families Should Know

The Stuff You Forgot to Budget For (Because Everyone Does)

Past webinar recordings

More webinars

Frequently asked questions

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