The latest on finances while severely ill and full rides to college
Here are some favorite personal finance reads from around the web this week.
1,495 Americans describe the financial reality of being really sick
—The New York Times
Even with health insurance, many Americans who suffer from severe or chronic illnesses drain their savings paying for treatment. The financial insecurity stemming from opaque billing practices and confusing coverage reveals weak spots in our health care system.
The little college where tuition is free and every student is given a job
—The Atlantic
A Kentucky college has offered free tuition for 126 years by paying from its endowment and implementing a work-study program for all of its students. Could a model like this work for colleges across the nation?
Your child probably won’t get a full ride to college
—Washington Post
Only 0.2% of students got $25,000 or more in scholarships in 2015. This shouldn’t deter your kid from applying to scholarships—but it does mean that you should fill out the FAFSA, even if your kid is an ace student and star athlete.
Has “financial independence” been downgraded to “work-life balance?”
—The Billfold
There has been a small shift in how many early proponents of the FIRE movement (financial independence, early retirement) view financial independence. Work-life balance is important, too, and shouldn’t be reserved only for those who have achieved financial independence.
Craving more financial finds? Here are my latest blog posts!
The problem with financial aid award letters
A study by uAspire and the New America Foundation found that many financial aid award letters have misleading and confusing language, making families think that the costs to attend are covered.
What you really think about college
I’ve gotten so many amazing reactions on social media since I launched my new multimedia project, We Need To Talk: College, earlier this month. I’ve also noticed a few recurring comments: Is college really worth the debt, and is trade school a better option for some students?
3 new college finance studies point to 1 conclusion
More students are relying on grants and scholarships to cover the cost of college. But many families who qualify for financial aid aren’t filling out the FAFSA.
Did you see something else worth sharing? Tweet it to me!
