Source: Fidelity Investments *This hypothetical example illustrates the potential value of different regular monthly investments for different periods of time and assumes an average annual return of 4.5% rounded to the nearest $50. Contributions to a 529 plan account...
College Expenses
Interest Rates on Federal Student Loans on the Rise for Massachusetts Students
Interest rates on new federal student loans are rising again this year, which means it will be even more expensive to borrow money for Massachusetts college students Undergraduate loans will now carry a rate of 5.50%, up from 4.99% last year. Graduate student direct...
Can Defaulting on a Student Loan Reduce Social Security Benefits?
If you borrow for college for your Massachusetts children with federal student loans and you fail to repay them, you should know that the federal government may reduce your annual Social Security income by an average of $2,500. We say “may” because there are scenarios...
Major Changes to College 529 Plans For Massachusetts Parents
529 plans can make it easier for Massachusetts families to save for their children's college educations thanks to the tax breaks they offer. But the accounts have always had a pretty significant drawback: If you withdraw money from them to use for anything other than...
Student Loan Forgiveness Debate Leads to Record Number of 529 College Savings Plans for Massachusetts Parents
Massachusetts parents are continuing to save for college with 529 plans as the fate of President Joe Biden’s student debt loan relief program is awaiting a Supreme Court decision in June. These plans, which are advantaged savings plans designed to encourage saving for...
College Savings For Massachusetts Children
Over 20,000 Massachusetts babies have already begun saving for college. BabySteps, a program from the Office of Economic Empowerment that jumpstarts families into saving for their children’s higher education, has cleared the new signup milestone. The program, run by...
Social Security Benefits Can Be Taken to Pay Student Loans in Massachusetts
Student loan borrowers in Massachusetts who are in default may see their Social Security benefits diminish. The Social Security Administration (SSA) can take up to 15% of benefits to pay off student loans in default, according to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland....
What Happens to Federal Student Loans When a Massachusetts Borrower Dies?
According to Forbes, a Massachusetts family or spouse can apply for a loan discharge if the deceased borrower has any of the following federal student loans: Direct subsidized loans, Direct unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans and Direct consolidation loans. The same...
Student Loan Forgiveness May or May Not Include Parent PLUS Loans
The question of when student loan payments will resume, along with “if” those payments will resume for all borrowers, is still on the minds of lawmakers, lenders, and borrowers. Although Joe Biden has repeatedly extended the loan pause, that may end on Aug. 31, 2022...
College Expenses and Tax Benefits for Massachusetts Residents
The beginning of the school year is a good time for a reminder of the tax benefits for education available to Massachusetts residents. These benefits can help offset qualifying education costs. Here is information about two tax credits available to those who pay...