What Are Federal Student Loans? Federal student loans are loans established by the federal government and provided to students for college and graduate school.
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Life Stage: Student
3 Tried & True Facts About Personal Finances
No matter your age or stage in life, it pays to know the facts about personal finances. When you understand the basics, you can set yourself up for success and build a healthy financial future.
Beware of Lifestyle Creep
Lifestyle creep, or lifestyle inflation, happens to the best of us. As your standard of living improves, your non-essential discretionary purchases gradually increase. You might even start to think your “wants” are “needs.” Some creep is natural and to be expected, but excessive creep can derail your finances.
Singing the Comparison Blues is the Theft of Joy (and Your Savings)
Do you use others for the barometer of what you should have or deserve to have? Constant exposure to your friends’ vacations, experiences, dining out, luxury purchases, new cars, and house upgrades on social media amplifies “FOMO (fear of missing out)” and the desire to “keep up with the Jones’s.”
Financial Aid Changes on the Horizon
The U.S. Department of Education has designated February as Financial Aid Awareness Month, and this year there’s a lot to talk about. On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, another relief package in response to the pandemic. Included in the bill were several provisions related to education, including many changes to financial aid. Here are some key highlights.
Federal Student Loan Relief Scheduled to End
This is a good time to check in with your loan servicer to ensure you’re on a payment plan that fits your situation. Our partners at GreenPath recommend you do this soon; when loan payments resume, the government will be activating 30 million borrowers at one time, and you may find it difficult to reach your loan servicer.
Buying Your First Car? This is What You Need to Know:
Shopping for your first car is exciting, but it can also feel intimidating. It’s a major commitment, but one that will give you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. Before you head to the car lot, set yourself up for success by following these steps:
Moving Out: What to Expect So You Don’t Break the Bank
Moving out and on your own is an exciting step towards independence, but the financial responsibility can also be shocking if you’re not prepared. There are a lot of odds and ends that you need to plan for, as well as a lot of expected (and unexpected) costs associated with the move. Here are some tips to prepare:
Federal Student Loan Borrowers Get Expanded Relief in CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, the largest economic stimulus bill in the history of the United States, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.1 Included in the legislation are new rules for student loan relief that supersede the rules that were announced only a week earlier by the Department of Education. For more information on both sets of rules, visit the federal student aid website.
5 Financial Health Goals for Your 20’s
Starting a new chapter in your life as an independent adult? One of the most important lessons you can learn is about financial wellness. Give your future self the gift of security by hitting these five financial health goals in your 20’s:
Recent News
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Jeannie Carpenter
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Jeannie Carpenter, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity SLO County.
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SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Stephen Gonzales
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. In April, we were thrilled to meet Stephen Gonzales, from the SLO Children’s Museum
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SESLOC Employees Take 915 “Trips” Through Alternative Commuting
SESLOC employees saved 3.9 tons of carbon dioxide from entering our local air during the second quarter of 2023 by using alternative commute methods like riding a bike, taking the bus or carpooling, and telecommuting to cut a whopping 10,484.4 miles from their travel plans. Reducing our carbon footprint is an important part of preserving our community for generations to come.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Kristy Soriano
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. In April, we were thrilled to meet Mary Watt, from the SLO Food Bank.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Mary Watt
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. In April, we were thrilled to meet Mary Watt, from the SLO Food Bank.
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