Ring Camera 20% Discount for Students!

Did you know that Ring offers a 20% discount for Students?  Many students need to move off campus for Junior and Senior years - in some communities Ring cameras are necessary.

You will need to verify your identity to get your discount code - go here https://ring.com/exclusive-discounts

HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT

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1. Click Get Code above and sign into VerifyPass.

2. After verification, you'll receive a one-time discount code to apply during checkout.

3. For future purchases, return to this page and repeat Step 1. (Limit 1 code per 24 hours.)

terms: This military, first responders, medical workers, students, and teachers discount program is valid in the U.S. only. Discount codes are subject to ID verification in our sole discretion. Discount codes may not be combined with other discount codes from this program or other Ring discounts or promotions or applied retroactively. Each discount code will be limited to one use per customer. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this discount program at any time and without notice, including limiting the number of discount codes per customer or the eligible products. Shipping and taxes may apply.

Early Action Colleges: Your Guide and Full List of EA Schools

If your student can have some applications done by Nov 1/15, it could be in their best interest to apply to as many as they can EA since it is not binding AND you often find out your admission decision before Jan 1!

You can have a bunch of acceptances WITH financial aid info BEFORE you apply anywhere else RD.

 

Check out this list sorted by state:

Early Action Colleges: Your Guide and Full List of EA Schools

 

And also see this list - you can sort by EA Due Date by clicking on the top of the column - note: some due dates are as early as Oct 15 so check all your schools!

https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/admission-deadlines 

MEFA's EFC Calculator

Have you tried MEFA's EFC Calculator?  It's nice how it shows you on a graph how each component is affecting the EFC amount. 

https://www.mefa.org/expected-family-contribution-efc-calculator

 

Student Loans: Start w/ State & Nonprofit Loans!

Typically you will see that most college planners will say to take the Federal Loans first (since they are really the only loans just in the student's name), but then many seem to just go to their Parent Plus or bank/credit union or Citizens/Discover for (typically) expensive loans for the rest.

After the student takes the guaranteed Federal Loans, before you do anything else,

1. Find out if your state has a student loan program:
   • It may even be subsidized depending on your EFC - check this website
2. See if the state your student's school is in has a state loan program:
   • (same website as above) for example, in NJ, eligible students :"Be a New Jersey resident attending an approved school (in or out-of-state) or an out-of-state resident enrolled in an approved NJ-based school."
3. Find non profits that offer student loans:
   • go to the Education Finance Council website, scroll down & click on "Find a Nonprofit Loan here"
   • MEFA is one example of a nonprofit student loan lender.  You do NOT need to have a Massachusetts connection to get a loan from MEFA.

After you research all the state and nonprofit loan options, then look at the banks etc.  You should be able to enter in some basic info into Credible and get a few options/rates back.

AND check to see if your state has any student loan forgiveness programs for certain degrees - check here

Host a Care Package Assembly Party

You can assemble a care package with lots of variety when you host a college care package assembly party.

What’s that? Read on for all the details!  via simply2moms.com

Tuition Break for New England Students

New England Board of Higher Education's (NEBHE) Tuition Break program, the New England Regional Student Program (RSP), provides significant tuition savings to residents of the six New England states when they enroll at out-of-state public colleges and universities within New England and pursue approved programs.

Basically, if your state doesn't offer the major you want, and it is offered at another public institution in New England you can receive a tuition break at that school.  A full-time RSP student receives an average tuition break of $8,200.  Check the website for participating majors! (But some schools allow any student from any NE state and some even allow enrollment for proximity reasons - see FAQs: https://nebhe.org/tuitionbreak/eligibility-faqs/)

For example, Wildlife Ecology / Conservation Biology at UMaine, URI and UCONN were among popular tuitionbreak bachelor's programs in 2021-22. CT & MA residents are eligible for tuition savings for those programs.

check out the website here:

Tuition Break | New England Board of Higher Education

MEFA - nonprofit student loans from MEFA

Looking for Student Loans for College?  Make sure to take the Federal Loans first, but then be sure to check the rates of nonprofit and state-based lenders - they are often have much better rates than private banks. 

MEFA is one of these nonprofit lenders: 

https://www.mefa.org

There's no origination fee, application fee, or prepayment penalty. MEFA Loans are available to students and families across the country, so there's no need for a Massachusetts connection.

 Find other non profits that offer student loans: go to the Education Finance Council website, scroll down and click on "Find a Nonprofit Loan here"

via www.mefa.org

Bracelet Care Packages for College Students - Pura Vida

Send your college student a bracelet care package every month! Best surprise ever and so cute! Three bracelets a month for $14.95 ($45 value!) Best college care package ever - and so easy to carry back to their dorm!

20% off at Pura Vida with promo code HeatherBragdon20

Pura Vida Bracelet Club

Vegan Care Packages for College Students - Vegancuts

$5 off with Vegancuts Promo: CollegeChatter

Send your hungry college student some healthy snacks!  Each month, they get 10+ new and unique vegan snacks, meal items, and beverages. From vegan mac and cheese and delicious chocolate treats, to avocado chips and hummus crackers, the Vegancuts Snack Box is a popular way to send your hungry student some vegan treats every month! (The Snack Box comes with free U.S. shipping.)

From vegan mac and cheese and delicious vegan chocolate, to avocado chips, hummus crackers and superfood smoothies, the Vegancuts Snack Box is your monthly delivery of the best vegan snacks and meal items, and drinks on the market. Open the Door to at least 10 sweet & savory vegan snacks to make it easy to discover the best in plant-based living.

via vegancuts.com

Find Nonprofit Student Loans for College

Looking for Student Loans for College?  Make sure to take the Federal Loans first, but then be sure to check the rates of nonprofit and state-based lenders - they are often have much better rates than private banks.  Find these lenders here - scroll down to "Find a nonprofit loan here":

https://foryounotforprofit.org/student-loans

We are a group of nonprofit and state-based organizations with an important mission - to help you plan, save, and pay for college.

How Much Is Your State's 529 Plan Tax Deduction Really Worth?

Many states offer state income tax deductions or credits for contributions to a 529 plan. The amount of your 529 state tax deduction will depend on where you live and how much you contribute to a 529 plan during a given tax year.

See how much your state's 529 Plan deduction is really worth here  via www.savingforcollege.com