Security clearances are a critical part of protecting national security, but they are also a very practical career asset—for service members, defense contractors, federal civilians, and many people in adjacent fields like cybersecurity and intelligence…
Category: Debt Guide
“Why do I keep getting voicemails about loans?” If you’ve been asking this question recently, you’re not the only one. Loan scams are on the rise, and some scammers are easier to spot than others. What are the signs of a loan scammer, and how can you p…
Payday loan consolidation means turning several payday loan payments into one plan. If you’re looking into payday loan debt relief, it helps to know that consolidation isn’t a single product. Some companies offer a new loan. Others offer counseli…
When I laced up for the GWOT 100 in February, I thought I was signing up for a 100?mile fitness challenge. By the end of the month, I realized I’d actually signed up for a master class in resilience, incremental progress, and the quiet s…
For many college students, financial aid plays a huge role in making school affordable. But being awarded a Pell Grant doesn’t mean the funds are instantly available to spend. That’s why understanding how to receive Pell Grant money and when colleges r…
What happens to student loans when you die is a difficult question many families don’t expect to face while also managing funeral costs, paperwork, and other financial obligations. The outcome depends largely on whether the loan is federal or private. …
For many people, bankruptcy can feel like a financial reset button, especially when homeownership is part of the plan. But while buying a house after bankruptcy may take some time, it’s far from impossible. Most borrowers will need to wait before quali…
Key Takeaways Reverse mortgages are a loan option for homeowners age 62+ that convert home equity into cash with no monthly payments required. Loan balances grow over time with interest and loan repayment occurs when a borrower permanently leaves, sell…
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a form of small business financing in which a company provides you with a lump sum of money upfront in exchange for a percentage of your future sales. It’s not structured as a traditional loan. Instead, the MCA pr…
A loan prepayment penalty is a fee that some lenders charge if you pay off all or part of your loan balance before the scheduled end of your loan term. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains, this type of fee most commonly appears …