LIZ WESTON

A guide to figuring out your real cost of college

Many parents will not learn how much they must pay for their children's college education until financial aid packages arrive this spring. By then it may be too late to get a better deal.

Nov 17, 2014 12:13 PM EST

How to give the gift of college this holiday season

Saving for college can be tough, but many families do not tap a potentially generous resource: relatives and friends.

Nov 10, 2014 10:35 AM EST

U.S. students need more help dealing with loan companies

U.S. students are still largely on their own to protect themselves when they are struggling to repay their debt, despite the government's condemnation of some education loan servicers' unfair, deceptive and illegal practices.

Nov 04, 2014 10:38 AM EST

U.S. student loan debt is not killing homeownership

Is surging student debt really preventing an entire generation from becoming first-time homebuyers? Is surging student debt really preventing an entire generation from becoming first-time homebuyers? That's true, to an extent, but also mischaracterizes education debt as holding most people back, rather than helping them get ahead.

Oct 23, 2014 12:11 PM EDT

U.S. student loan debt is not killing homeownership

Is surging student debt really preventing an entire generation from becoming first-time homebuyers? Is surging student debt really preventing an entire generation from becoming first-time homebuyers? That's true, to an extent, but also mischaracterizes education debt as holding most people back, rather than helping them get ahead.

Oct 21, 2014 12:51 PM EDT

Prepaying student loans may mean less money in retirement

Rising student loan debt may be hampering young people's ability to buy homes or even move out of their parents' basements. But that does not mean student loan borrowers always should be in a hurry to pay off this debt.

Oct 13, 2014 12:13 PM EDT

College is now a buyer's market

Colleges are increasingly worried about getting enough enrollments, and students can use the situation to their advantage.

Oct 06, 2014 12:29 PM EDT

Beware of offers to refinance federal student loans

People with federal student loan debt now have a few options to lower their rates with private consolidation loans, but consumer advocates warn they could be giving up vital protections in doing so.

Sep 30, 2014 11:36 AM EDT

Column: What to do when your college shuts down

The collapse of Corinthian Colleges Inc. and the abrupt shutdown of several other for-profit campuses this year have left tens of thousands of students wondering about the future of their education - and their debt.

Sep 11, 2014 10:10 AM EDT