Mar
09
2022
What Is a Scholarship & How to Get One?

What Is a Scholarship & How To Get One

By | Going to College, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on What Is a Scholarship & How To Get One

Considering the average published college tuition according to The College Board ranges from $3,800 for a public two-year institution to $38,070 at private nonprofit four-year institutions, college students need all of the financial help that they can get.

One option is to use scholarships, which are a form of financial aid awarded to students to help pay for tuition and other education expenses. Unlike student loans, scholarships don’t need to be repaid.

Below, you’ll find the answers to “what is a scholarship?” as well as where to get a scholarship and the different types of scholarships that may be available to you.

What Is a Scholarship?

A scholarship is a form of financial aid that’s awarded to students to help pay for school. Over the last 10 years, the number of scholarships awarded has increased by 45%, according to the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA). Each year, there’s an estimated $46 billion in grants and scholarship money awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, colleges, and universities and an additional $7.4 billion awarded through private scholarships and fellowships.

Scholarships can be delivered in a lump-sum payment or the scholarship award can be broken up into multiple payments that are sent out each semester or school year. Depending on the scholarship, funds can either be sent directly to the student or sent to the school and the student would pay any additional money owed for tuition, fees, room, and board.

Scholarships are awarded based on a number of different criteria, including academic achievement, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, the field of study, financial need, and more.

Unlike student loans, scholarships don’t need to be repaid. Scholarships are generally considered gift aid.

What Is a Full-Ride Scholarship?

A full-ride scholarship is an award that covers everything — tuition, books, fees, room, board, and sometimes even living expenses. Full ride scholarships mean no other additional aid is needed to pay for school.

Full-ride scholarships are highly sought after and some may have strict guidelines and requirements.

Different Types of Scholarships for College Students

There are various forms of gift aid that students can use to pay for college. While there are differences between them, they’re similar in the fact that they do not need to be repaid. Here are different types of scholarships for college students.

Federal Grants

Federal grants are need based financial aid from the U.S. government to help students pay for college. The Department of Education offers a variety of grants to students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools.

Most federal grants are awarded to students based on financial need, the cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Students can start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form annually to determine eligibility. Once FAFSA is submitted, your school will let you know how much you may receive and when you may receive it.

Here are grant programs provided by the federal government:

•   Federal Pell Grants

•   Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

•   Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

•   Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants

While grants don’t typically have to be repaid, there are circumstances that may require repayment, such as:

•   You withdrew from the program early

•   Your enrollment status changed that reduced your eligibility for the grant

•   You received outside scholarships or grants that reduced the need for federal student aid

•   You received a TEACH Grant but did not meet the requirements for the TEACH Grant service obligation

Recommended: Finding Free Money for College

State Grants and Scholarships

According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), almost every state education agency has at least one grant or scholarship available to residents. Eligibility may be restricted to state residents attending an in-state college, but this isn’t always the case. Check what state financial aid programs may be available to you through your state education agency.

Scholarships and Grants From Schools

Institutional aid is awarded to students by the schools they plan to attend. Scholarships and grants from schools may be offered based on need or merit. For example, a student may be awarded a scholarship or grant through the school for strong academic or athletic performance.

It’s also important to read the requirements for scholarships and grants from schools. Some awards may demand that students maintain a minimum GPA throughout the year. Others may only be available for your freshman and sophomore years.

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are financial aid awarded to students that are funded by foundations, civic groups, companies, religious groups, professional organizations, charities, and individuals. Most private scholarships have specific criteria required to qualify, according to the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) , and it may take some extra effort to research the availability of private scholarships.

Most private scholarships are only awarded for a single year. Check with the scholarship’s agency to find out if the scholarship is renewable and any criteria you may need to meet.

Main Sources of Scholarships and Grants

The main sources of scholarships and grants are from the four types of scholarships and grants listed above. Here are the major sources of scholarships and grants for college students and the percentage of total grants and/or scholarships that comes from each source:

•   Federal grants: 47%

•   State grants and scholarships: 8%

•   Scholarships and grants from schools: 35%

•   Private scholarships: 10%

Recommended: A Guide to Unclaimed Scholarships and Grants

Reasons to Be Awarded With a Scholarship

Scholarships aren’t only awarded to those with a 4.0 GPA. There are many reasons to be awarded a scholarship and students should consider their skills, areas of interest, and past achievements or awards.

Need-Based

Need-based scholarships are typically awarded to students based on their household income. The school’s financial aid office may also determine how much financial aid the student is able to receive.

Schools subtract your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from your Cost of Attendance (COA) to determine your financial need and how much need-based aid you can receive. Your COA is the cost to attend the school and your EFC is the number that financial aid staff uses to determine how much financial aid you would receive. Information provided on your FAFSA is used to calculate your EFC.

Academic performance may also be taken into consideration when awarding need-based scholarships.

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships, also known as merit scholarships, are awarded to students based on their GPA and SAT/ACT admissions test scores. Award committees may also take other factors into consideration, such as extracurricular activities and leadership qualities.

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are awarded to students who show exceptional athletic abilities while also taking academic performance into consideration. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, a nonprofit organization that regulates student-athletes, has provided more than $3.6 billion in athletics scholarships annually to more than 180,000 student-athletes. Athletic scholarships are not available at Division III colleges. Only about 1% to 2% of high school athletes are awarded athletics scholarships to compete in college.

Recommended: Balancing Being a Student Athlete & Academics in College

Community Service Scholarships

There are also scholarship opportunities for students who volunteer in their local communities. For example, the Equitable Excellence Scholarship awards students who have made a positive impact on their communities through volunteer service. The scholarship provides renewable awards of $5,000 to students for a total of $20,000 per recipient as well as one-time $2,500 scholarships.

Scholarships for Hobbies and Extracurriculars

Certain hobbies, interests, or extracurricular activities may also provide scholarships. For example, members of Starfleet, the International Star Trek Fan Association, can be awarded scholarships up to $1,000 in the categories including medicine, engineering, performing arts, international studies, business, science, education, writing, law enforcement, and general studies.

Scholarships based on Identity or Heritage

Some scholarship programs offer funds to help support traditionally underrepresented students. Outside of identity, many of these scholarships may require a minimum GPA, a need for financial assistance, leadership potential or participation in community activities.

There are also scholarships for mothers. When dealing with the costs of child care, many single mothers face unique obstacles to getting their college degrees.

Employer or Military Scholarships

Students may also be able to find opportunities through the employer of a family member. Eligibility and award amounts vary by employer. A variety of scholarships are also available to the children and spouses of active duty, reserve, National Guard, or retired members of the U.S. military.

How Can You Spend a Scholarship for Student?

How you can spend a scholarship for students depends on that specific program. Some programs may send the check directly to the college’s financial aid office to apply the funds to your tuition bill. Funds that are sent to the student may be used for education-related expenses deemed necessary by the school, like tuition, books, supplies, and housing.

Make sure to check with the scholarship program for rules regarding how you can spend your award.

How to Get a Scholarship for Student

There are several ways for students to find and apply for scholarships. Students can contact the financial aid office at the school they wish to attend or use other free resources. Some of these include:

•   Your high school counselor

•   The U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search tool

•   Federal agencies

•   Your state grant agency

•   Your library

•   Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses or civic groups

•   Organizations related to your field of interest

•   Identity-based organizations

•   Your employer or your parents’ employers

Check with each program to see how to apply and the requirements. Make sure you apply by the deadline.

Scholarship Requirements

Scholarship requirements vary by program. However, you may notice some common criteria, such as:

•   A GPA minimum

•   Age and grade requirements

•   College enrollment requirement

•   An essay requirement

•   Financial requirements

•   Location requirement

•   Test score requirements

Depending on the program, there may be some requirements related to your major, ethnicity, gender, disability or military service. In some cases, applicants may be required to complete an interview. If you’re applying for scholarships, check with each program to be sure you fully understand the application requirements and eligibility criteria.

Recommended: I Didn’t Get Enough Financial Aid: Now What?

Alternative Funding Options for College Students

Outside of scholarships and grants, there are other ways for students to pay for college.

One option is to get a part-time job and send extra income aside to put towards tuition or other school-related expenses. While this will likely not cover everything, it could make your costs more manageable. If you have a 529 college savings plan, you can tap this savings account to pay for qualified education expenses on a tax-free basis.

Students can also turn to the federal government to see if they qualify for federal work-study jobs, federal student loans, aid for military families, aid for international students or certain tax benefits. According to the Department of Education, outstanding federal student aid totals $1.61 trillion, representing 43.4 million students. These are typically awarded based on financial need and students can see what they qualify for by filling out FAFSA each year.

Another option is to use private student loans to pay for college. These are nonfederal loans made by a lender, such as a bank, credit union, state agency, university or other institution. Private student loans can be an option to consider after you’ve exhausted all other forms of aid.

Unlike most federal student loans, private loans require a credit check and the loan’s interest rate will depend on the borrower’s creditworthiness, among other factors. Private student loans are not required to offer the same borrower protections as federal student loans, things like deferment options or income-driven repayment plans.

You can even apply for scholarships and grants to pay off student loans after you’ve already graduated. You may also be able to have your student loans forgiven through state or federal programs.

The Takeaway

Before taking on student loans, scholarships and grants can be used to supplement other forms of financial aid. Before you start applying for scholarships, make sure you read the program’s requirements and turn in the application before the deadline.

If you’ve taken out federal or private student loans, there’s always the option to refinance. By refinancing your student loans, you could potentially qualify for a lower interest rate that could help you pay off the principal faster and/or decrease how much you pay each month. Note that decreasing your monthly payments is often the result of extending your loan term, which can ultimately increase the cost of borrowing over the life of the loan. Refinancing any federal loans will eliminate them from federal protections or programs such as the option to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

You can refinance the student loan with SoFi. If a competitor offers a lower rate, SoFi will match it and give you $100 after funding the loan.

Check your rate and learn more about SoFi student loan refinancing today.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Mar
09
2022
Student Loan Debt by Major

Student Loan Debt by Major

By | Going to College, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on Student Loan Debt by Major

There’s no question that furthering your education can be an expensive endeavor. Almost a third of all American students take on some level of debt to go to college, according to the Federal Reserve.

But students in some majors can expect to pay a significantly higher price than others.

If your goal is to study law, medicine, or veterinary medicine, for example, and you plan to get a graduate degree, you could end up owing five or six times more than the average person with a bachelor’s degree.

Whether you choose your major out of passion or for the potential paycheck — or both — only time will tell if you’ll get the outcome you’re hoping for. In the meantime, it can be a good idea to look at how much you might have to borrow to finance the course of study you’re considering.

Recommended: How to Pay for College

Student Loan Debt in America

How much do student loan borrowers in the United States owe after college?

According to the Federal Reserve’s most recent numbers, outstanding U.S. student loan debt reached $1.58 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2021. That’s nearly triple what the Fed says Americans owed in 2006.

Most of that debt is carried by millennials and Gen Xers. At the end of 2021, adults 35 to 49 had more than $622 billion in student loan debt, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office. Younger adults, ages 25 to 34, owed more than $500 billion.

And the United States isn’t the only country with a high amount of student debt. In England, the value of outstanding loans reached £141 billion (approximately $191 billion in U.S. dollars) at the end of March 2021. The government there forecasts the value of outstanding loans will be around £560 billion (approximately $760 billion in U.S. dollars) by the middle of this century.

In Sweden, the Board of Student Finance has been asked to raise interest rates on student loans to help make up for the millions of dollars that are lost each year when borrowers don’t repay what they owe.

Still, while student loan forgiveness and other reforms are often discussed here and abroad, little is happening so far.

Recommended: Average Student Loan Debt: By Career

Average Student Loan Debt

According to Education.org, the average federal student loan debt balance is $37,113. And if you include private loan debt, the average balance may be as high as $40,904.

Of course, the amount you might borrow (or have borrowed) could vary significantly depending on your major and the degree required to pursue your chosen profession.

The average student loan debt for a borrower with a bachelor’s degree, for example, is about $29,000. But if your major moves you on to a graduate degree, the cost can move on as well — to an average of $71,000. And if you’re thinking about a degree in law or medicine, your debt could be in the hundreds of thousands.

According to research from The Brookings Institution published in 2020, while only 25% of borrowers went to graduate school, those students account for about a half of the outstanding education debt in the United States.

That’s partly because graduate students typically spend at least a few more years in school than undergraduates do. And besides their undergraduate and graduate courses, many professionals (doctors, dentists, veterinarians, etc.) also go through a residency or post-doctoral program that adds to the overall cost of their education.

Federal student loan programs also allow graduate students to borrow more money than undergraduates. Though there’s a $31,000 cap on federal loans for undergraduate students who are dependents, graduate students may be eligible to borrow up to the full cost of attendance through the federal Grad Plus program.

Other factors that affect the amount students end up borrowing can include the cost of living in the state or city where the school is located, whether the school is public or private, and whether the student is paying in-state or out-of-state tuition.

Recommended: What is the Average Student Loan Debt?

Student Loan Debt by Major

When you first start thinking about how to choose your college major, it’s likely you base your top choices on the academic subjects you’ve always been good at or things you’re interested in. Maybe you have a passion for a subject you feel destined to pursue.

If you’re a practical person, you also may have considered what career that degree might potentially lead to, and how much you’d earn if it became your profession.

What you may not have thought about — at least not at first — was how much it might cost you to major in one subject vs. another. Or if you might have to get an advanced degree in your major to actually get the job, or paycheck, of your dreams.

Here’s a look at the average student loan debt for some popular degrees:

Law Degree

$165,000 upon graduating

More than 95% take out student loans

Medical Degree

$241,600 upon graduating

76% to 89% take out student loans

Recommended: What is the Average Medical School Debt?

Dental School

$304,824 upon graduating

83% take out student loans

Nursing

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): $19,928

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): $23,711

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): $47,321

More than 70% take out student loans.

Recommended: A Look at the Average Cost of Nursing School 

Business Administration

$66,300 (average for undergraduate and MBA student debt)

51% of MBA graduates take out loans

Architecture

$40,000

(% who borrow not available)

Veterinary Medicine

$188,853

83% take out student loans

Pharmacy

$173,561

85% take out student loans

Education/Teaching

$55,800

45% take out loans

Communication/Journalism

Bachelor’s degree: $24,233

Master’s degree: $58,586

(% with loans not available)

Student Loan Debt by State

If it seems as though your neighbors are carrying higher or lower amounts of debt than the U.S. average of $37,113, it might have something to do with where you live. If you have a high concentration of residents with medical or law school debt in your city or state, for example, the average student debt loan might be higher than it is in other parts of the country. If the amount of debt carried is lower than average, it could be because your state offers its students more financial aid.

Here’s what the average student loan debt by state looks like in the U.S., according to EducationData.org . (These numbers refer to federal student loan debt only.)

State

 Avg. Student Debt

 Residents w/ Student Debt
Alabama $37,348 12.3%
Alaska $34,431 9.1%
Arizona $35,431 12.1%
Arkansas $33,525 12.7%
California $36,937 9.8%
Colorado $37,120 13.2%
Connecticut $35,448 13.4%
Delaware $37,338 12.4%
District of Columbia $55,077 16.9%
Florida $38,481 11.8%
Georgia $41,843 15%
Hawaii $36,575 8.3%
Idaho $33,100 11.7%
Illinois $38,071 12.5%
Indiana $33,106 13.2%
Iowa $30,848 13.4%
Kansas $33,130 12.8%
Kentucky $33,023 13.1%
Louisiana $34,683 13.7%
Maine $33,352 13.4%
Maryland $43,219 13.3%
Massachusetts $34,549 12.5%
Michigan $36,295 13.9%
Minnesota $33,822 13.6%
Mississippi $37,080 14.6%
Missouri $35,706 13.3%
Montana $33,953 11.4%
Nebraska $32,138 12.4%
Nevada $33,863 10.9%
New Hampshire $34,353 13.5%
New Jersey $35,730 12.6%
New Mexico $34,237 10.6%
New York $38,107 11.9%
North Carolina $37,861 12.1%
North Dakota $29,446 10.9%
Ohio $34,923 15%
Oklahoma $31,832 12.1%
Oregon $37,251 12.7%
Pennsylvania $35,804 13.7%
Puerto Rico $27,607 9.9%
Rhode Island $32,212 12.7%
South Carolina $38,662 13.9%
South Dakota $31,858 12.7%
Tennessee $36,549 12.2%
Texas $33,123 12.1%
Utah $32,781 9.2%
Vermont $38,411 11.7%
Virginia $39,472 12.3%
Washington $35,521 10.1%
West Virginia $32,272 12.4%
Wisconsin $32,272 12.1%
Wyoming $30,246 9.2%

Federal vs Private Student Loan Debt

As these student loan debt statistics show, the rising cost of attending college can be a heavy financial burden for many Americans. And because there are limits on how much students can borrow in federal loans each year, many turn to private student loans to help cover their education bills.

The national private student loan balance now exceeds $140 billion, according to EducationData.org, which says 88.5% of that balance is in undergraduate loans and 11.5% is in graduate student loans.

Private student loans are a pretty small piece of the overall outstanding student loan debt in the United States — about 8.4%. But the number of students taking out private loans is growing. Student loan borrowers owe 71% more in private student loan debt than they did a decade ago, the Student Borrower Protection Center reports.

Recommended: Private Student Loans vs Federal Student Loans

Explore SoFi’s Private Student Loan Options

Since private student loans are not associated with the federal government, repayment terms and benefits can vary from lender to lender. So if you decide to use private student loans to help pay for your education, you may want to take the time to shop for the most competitive interest rates and other loan benefits, and to be clear on what each lender is offering.

Remember: After you graduate, you’ll have to pay back the money you owe — along with all your other bills. And federal loans offer some important protections that you may not get from a private lender, such as the ability to switch to an income-driven plan if you can’t afford your monthly payments or to defer payments if you lose your job. You may want to exhaust all your federal grant and loan options before you consider using a private student loan.

SoFi has a loan to fit the requirements of just about any major you might choose, whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, a law school or MBA student, or if your parent is the one doing the borrowing.

Recommended: A Guide to Private Student Loans

The Takeaway

No matter what your major is, these days, there’s a good chance you may have to take on some debt to get the education you need and want.

And the final bill could be substantial: The average federal loan debt balance is $37,113, but if you choose a major that requires a graduate degree, it could be two or three times that amount … or more.

Most student borrowers use federal loans to help pay for their education. But a combination of federal and private loans may be necessary to cover all your costs. If you find you’re in need of extra funds from a private lender, there are plenty of options out there. However, all private student loans are not the same, so it can be helpful to research the best interest rates and repayment terms for your needs.

Learn more about whether a private student loan with SoFi could be the right financial solution for you.

FAQ

How much student loan debt is there in the United States?

According to the Federal Reserve’s most recent numbers, outstanding U.S. student loan debt reached $1.58 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2021.

What is the average U.S. student loan debt per student?

According to Education.org, the average federal student loan debt balance is $37,113. And if you include private loan debt, the average balance may be as high as $40,904.

Who owns most student debt?

The federal government — or, more specifically, the U.S. Department of Education — owns about 92% of all student loan debt in America.

Photo credit: iStock/FabrikaCr

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Mar
07
2022
bitcoin coin

5 Most Private Cryptocurrencies

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on 5 Most Private Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin is one of the most secure cryptocurrencies, with a hash rate that climbed to an all-time high in January 2022. But transactions made on the Bitcoin blockchain are transparent and can be seen by anyone using widely-available blockchain explorer websites.

While future upgrades to the Bitcoin core code could make transactions more anonymous, for now any Bitcoin transaction can potentially be traced back to its source. This has led developers on a quest to create the most private cryptocurrency.

Top Privacy Coins and How They Work

There are a variety of technological methods that cryptocurrencies use to anonymize transactions. Which method works best to create the most secure cryptocurrency is a subject of heated debate within the community.

For investment purposes, it should be noted that all of these coins are highly speculative, risky, and can require opening a digital currency exchange account to trade them. As a general rule, the smaller the market capitalization and daily trading volume, the higher the risk.

Here are some of the top privacy coins available on the market today.

1. Bytecoin (BCN)

Bytecoin , which is based on the CryptoNote technology, claims to be the “first private untraceable currency.” CryptoNote was created with the goal of making transactions both a) untraceable and b) un-linkable.

Untraceable means observers cannot tell who sent a transaction to a specific recipient, while un-linkable means that observers cannot tell whether or not any two transactions were sent to the same source. The untraceable aspect is accomplished through ring signatures.

These ring signatures make its transactions opaque, meaning observers can’t see who sent the transaction, how much it was for, or who received it. Ring signatures basically string transactions together in a way that makes it difficult (but not entirely impossible) to tell them apart from each other.

To achieve un-linkable transactions, CryptoNote uses one-time keys. With ring signatures, it’s still possible to see incoming transactions to a single public key (wallet address). To fix this, CryptoNote automatically generates one-time keys whenever someone receives coins. It’s based on an encryption method known as the Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange, which allows for the sharing of secret data between two parties.

When someone sends Bytecoin to another Bytecoin address, the sender creates a unique code that gets used in the transaction. This unique code makes it look like the coins were sent to a different crypto wallet each and every time.

As of late February 2022, BCN had a market cap of $30.2 million and daily trading volume of about $30,695.

2. Monero (XMR)

Like Bytecoin, Monero is a private cryptocurrency that has privacy features built into all its transactions. XMR is actually a hard fork of BCN. That means Monero uses the same privacy tech as Bytecoin and shares most of the underlying characteristics.

When Bytecoin was created in 2012, 80% of the total supply was already in existence, as opposed to most mineable cryptocurrencies that begin with very little supply in existence.

This led seven of the developers working on Bytecoin to create a new coin by hard forking the BCN network. They called this new coin Bitmonero, which was then changed simply to Monero, which means “coin” in Esperanto.

As of late February 2022, Monero is worth over $2.7 billion with a daily trading volume of about $128 million.

3. Zcash (ZEC)

Zcash uses a technology called “zk-SNARKs,” short for zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge.

The exact details are about as complicated as the name makes it sound. What matters is that zk-SNARKs allow one party to prove to another that something is true without revealing anything specific, making this solution ideal for private crypto transactions.

However, privacy is not a default feature of Zcash, meaning that transactions are not automatically made anonymously. Zcash allows for four different types of transactions with varying levels of privacy.

The pros of Zcash is that it has some of the strongest privacy protocols on the market and the second-highest market cap of any coin on this list. The con might be the different types of transactions leading to confusion among users, some of whom might assume all Zcash transactions to be private.

As of late February 2022, Zcash is valued at $1.5 billion with a daily trading volume of about $265 million.

Up to $100 in bitcoin2 – just for you.

With 30 coins available, our app offers a secure way to trade crypto 24/7.

4. Dash (DASH)

Dash was the first private cryptocurrency created in 2014. Originally called DarkCoin, the coin eventually rebranded itself as DASH, short for “digital cash.”

As the name implies, Dash is meant to be used as a medium of exchange. Transactions can clear in a second and can cost less than a penny.

In addition to the typical crypto miners, Dash uses something called “masternodes.” These central masternodes receive 45% of all DASH mining rewards in exchange for performing essential functions on the network, including making transactions private and processing them quickly.

One of the potential cons of DASH is that these masternodes make the network more centralized than some other crypto networks.

As of late February 2022, DASH is valued at more than $968 million with $176 million in daily trading volume.

5. Verge (XVG)

Verge describes itself as a “cryptocurrency designed for people and everyday use.” Verge was created in 2014 as DogeCoinDark. Like Dash, DogeCoinDark rebranded itself shortly after its inception, changing its name to Verge.

Verge uses a technology called the Wraith Protocol to make transactions private. Wraith Protocol anonymizes transactions through the Tor Network.

By routing internet connections through multiple anonymous nodes around the world, The Tor Browser works to hide IP addresses. Wraith Protocol uses this tech for the purpose of anonymizing cryptocurrency users. This feature is optional and must be turned on.

Some benefits of Verge include fast transactions, low fees, and the potential to scale and be used by more people. The big drawback is that most of the total supply of XVG is already in circulation, so the coin will likely lose value in the long-term due to inflation, just like Bytecoin.

As of late February 2022, Verge is valued at around $155 million with a daily trading volume of around $6.4 million.

The Takeaway

Privacy coins have only existed since 2012, and didn’t really burst onto the scene in a big way until 2014. The tech is even newer than Bitcoin, and the landscape is constantly changing.

Monero is thought to be one of the most private cryptocurrencies, so much so that it has been the subject of scrutiny by regulatory agencies. But some privacy enthusiasts argue that coins like Zcash have better privacy protocols and that they might be the most secure cryptocurrencies. The subject is still up for debate.

Looking to get into cryptocurrency? With SoFi Invest® you can buy cryptocurrency from more than two dozen crypto coins including Bitcoin, Chainlink, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Solana, Litecoin, Cardano, and Enjin Coin. Investor information is kept secure and never shared with any third parties beyond what is detailed in our privacy policy.

Trade crypto and get up to $100 in bitcoin! (Offer is available through 12/31/23; terms apply.)

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Crypto: Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies aren’t endorsed or guaranteed by any government, are volatile, and involve a high degree of risk. Consumer protection and securities laws don’t regulate cryptocurrencies to the same degree as traditional brokerage and investment products. Research and knowledge are essential prerequisites before engaging with any cryptocurrency. US regulators, including FINRA , the SEC , and the CFPB , have issued public advisories concerning digital asset risk. Cryptocurrency purchases should not be made with funds drawn from financial products including student loans, personal loans, mortgage refinancing, savings, retirement funds or traditional investments. Limitations apply to trading certain crypto assets and may not be available to residents of all states.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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2Terms and conditions apply. Earn a bonus (as described below) when you open a new SoFi Digital Assets LLC account and buy at least $50 worth of any cryptocurrency within 7 days. The offer only applies to new crypto accounts, is limited to one per person, and expires on December 31, 2023. Once conditions are met and the account is opened, you will receive your bonus within 7 days. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate the offer at any time without notice.
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Mar
04
2022
Student Loan Rehabilitation: What It Is and How It Works

Student Loan Rehabilitation: What It Is and How It Works

By | Fresh Out of School, Student Loans, student_loan | No Comments

Student loan default rehabilitation is a one-time opportunity to clear the default on a federal student loan. It also allows you to regain eligibility for federal student aid after your loans have gone into default.

With student loan rehabilitation, you can work with lenders to create a new payment plan that is theoretically more reasonable and affordable. This can be advantageous if you follow payment deadlines moving forward, but there are some caveats to student loan rehabilitation programs.

What Is Student Loan Rehabilitation?

Student loan rehabilitation is a program that’s offered by the federal government. Borrowers who have a Direct Loan, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), or Federal Perkins Loan that is in default, and owned by the Department of Education, may request rehabilitation. Private student loans are not eligible for student loan rehabilitation.

A federal student loan is considered in default when a borrower has missed payments for 270 days. Prior to defaulting on a student loan, the loan may be considered delinquent as soon as you miss a payment. If you fail to make a payment for 90 days, those late payments may be reported to the credit bureaus.

The monthly payment required during the student loan default rehabilitation depends on your income and can be as low as $5 per month. After making the minimum number of voluntary, reasonable, and affordable payments, the defaulted loan is considered rehabilitated.

Recommended: Types of Federal Student Loans

How Student Loan Rehabilitation Works

If you already have a federal loan in default, you can submit a written request for student loan rehabilitation through your loan holder.

A calculation, called the 15% formula, is used to determine your reasonable and affordable monthly payment during the rehabilitation program. First, it determines how much of your Adjusted Gross Income exceeds 150% of the federal poverty guideline, based on your family size and state. Then, your loan holder will calculate 15% of that amount, divided by 12, to arrive at your monthly payment.

If you don’t agree to make voluntary payments at the amount that’s calculated under the 15% formula, you can ask your loan holder to calculate an alternative payment.

To do so, you must submit a “Loan Rehabilitation: Income and Expense Information” form. You’ll need to supply details regarding your monthly income and monthly expenses and certify your family size. This alternative amount might be higher or lower than the payment amount offered under the 15% formula.

Upon agreeing to the payment amount and signing the student loan rehabilitation agreement, you must make nine on-time monthly payments within a consecutive 10-month period. After the ninth payment is completed, your loan holder will contact the credit bureaus to request the removal of the default status on your student loan account.

Pros and Cons of Student Loan Rehabilitation

The student loan rehabilitation program can be beneficial for borrowers whose federal loans are in default. However, there are also a few caveats to consider before requesting student loan rehabilitation.

Pros of Student Loan Rehabilitation

There are a handful of advantages to student loan rehabilitation. Instead of making a lump sum payment to get a defaulted loan in good standing, rehabilitation allows you to make consistent, on-time installment payments at a reasonable amount.

After successfully rehabilitating your loans after nine consecutive payments, the defaulted mark on your loan account is removed from your credit record. This can potentially improve your credit score. Any involuntary payments, such as wage garnishment or Treasury offset, will cease upon successful loan rehabilitation.

Rehabilitating your loans also gives you access to federal aid; for example, if you want to get your master’s or your Ph.D., you’ll once again be eligible to receive loans from the federal government. You’ll also have access to federal benefits, like federal loan deferment and forbearance, and the option to enroll in income-driven repayment plans.

Recommended: Student Loan Deferment vs Forbearance

Cons of Student Loan Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a one-time opportunity. If you default again after your loans are rehabilitated, you can’t request a rehabilitation program again.

Another point to note is that involuntary payments, such as those collected by your loan holder through wage garnishment, don’t count toward the nine voluntary payments needed to rehabilitate your loan. This means you might potentially have two separate loan payments occur each month until some rehabilitation payments are made or your loans are fully out of default.

Upon successfully rehabilitating your loan account, the default is removed from your credit report, but the late student loan payments on the account remain on record.

Pros of Student Loan Rehabilitation

 Cons of Student Loan Rehabilitation
Can remove default status from your credit report. Doesn’t remove history of late payments that led to default.
Stops collections efforts on successfully rehabilitated loans. Only one chance given to rehabilitate student loans.
Rehabilitated loans can be eligible for income-driven repayment plans. Involuntary payments can continue while your loan(s) is in rehabilitation.
You can regain federal loan benefits and eligibility for student aid.

Student Loan Rehabilitation vs Consolidation

Another way to address a defaulted federal loan is through a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Consolidating defaulted federal student loans, making it easier to keep up with one monthly payment instead of multiple. This means using a Direct Consolidation Loan with a new interest rate — generally the weighted average of your initial interest rates. To undergo a Direct Consolidation loan, you must either:

•   Make payments via an income-driven repayment plan or

•   Make three consecutive and voluntary on-time payments before initiating a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Although you can rehabilitate most federal loans, regardless of whether your student loans are in collections, there are special conditions and restrictions for Direct Consolidation Loans. For example, you can only consolidate an existing Direct Consolidation Loan that’s in default if you reconsolidate it with another eligible loan.

An important note: Consolidating only applies to your federal loans — you can’t roll private loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Like rehabilitation, consolidating a defaulted loan through a Direct Consolidation Loan provides access to future federal aid, loan forgiveness programs, and federal benefits like deferment, forbearance, and an income-driven repayment plan.

Another notable factor that differentiates student loan rehabilitation vs. student loan consolidation is that the latter doesn’t remove a default from your credit history.

Student Loan Rehabilitation

 Student Loan Consolidation
Requires nine voluntary and consecutive, on-time payments. Requires an income-driven repayment plan, or three voluntary and consecutive, on-time payments before consolidation.
Access to your choice of repayment plans. Conditions and/or restrictions for defaulted Direct Consolidation Loans, FFEL Consolidation Loans, and PLUS Loans.
Can rehabilitate loans while making involuntary payments. Can’t consolidate a defaulted loan that’s in collections.
Removes default from credit record. Doesn’t remove default from credit record.

Recommended: Student Loan Consolidation vs Refinancing

Can Student Loan Rehabilitation Affect Your Credit?

Loan rehabilitation results in the defaulted loan status taken off of your credit report. Having a default removed from your record can potentially improve your credit score.

The record of late payments that resulted in the defaulted loan, however, will remain on your credit report. Late payments on your record are still considered a derogatory mark that could impact your credit for up to seven years.

What Happens After Student Loan Rehabilitation

After your defaulted loan is rehabilitated, your loan is sold or transferred to a new loan holder or lender. The loan holder will formally send a request to the three credit bureaus to have the default taken off of your credit report. Also, existing collection activity toward the rehabilitated loans will cease (e.g. wage garnishment or Treasury offset).

Once your loans are under a new loan holder, you’ll need to select a repayment plan, otherwise, a standard 10-year plan will apply.

To request a lower monthly payment, you might be able to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan which calculates your monthly payment based on your Adjusted Gross Income and family size.

This type of repayment option extends the term across 20 to 25 years, depending on the plan. In doing so, your monthly payment is limited to a percentage of your discretionary income, but you’ll pay more interest over time.

In addition to being eligible for new federal aid, you’ll again be eligible for federal benefits that were inaccessible when your loan was in default. These benefits include access to student loan forgiveness programs, and deferment and forbearance.

The Takeaway

Student loan rehabilitation might not completely erase all of the missteps you’ve had with regard to your federal loans, but it can be an option to get out of default. Another option for getting a federal student loan out of default is to consider a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Refinancing a defaulted student loan can be challenging, but if your student loans have been rehabilitated, and you’re now in good standing on your loans, student loan refinancing may be an option to consider. Refinancing lets you take out a brand-new loan with a new interest rate and new loan terms. If you qualify, refinancing could allow qualifying borrowers to secure a lower interest rate or lower monthly payments. Note that lower monthly payments are generally the result of extending your loan term, which can cost more in interest over the life of the loan.

While refinancing can help make loan repayment more affordable over the long-term for borrowers who are able to qualify for a more competitive interest rate, it will eliminate any federal loans from borrower protections – such as income-driven repayment plans, so it may not make sense for everyone. If you feel refinancing is an option for you, consider SoFi where there are no hidden fees and the application is completed entirely online.

Check your student loan refinancing rate in 2 minutes.

FAQ

How long does it take to rehabilitate student loans?

It takes several months to complete a student loan rehabilitation program. Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), and Federal Perkins Loans require nine, full and on-time payments over 10 consecutive months to rehabilitate.

Can you rehabilitate student loans in collections?

Yes, you can rehabilitate student loans in collections. However, involuntary collection payments, such as those occurring as a result of wage garnishment, may continue while you make voluntary rehabilitation payments.

Is rehabilitation or consolidation of student loans better?

Deciding whether student loan rehabilitation or consolidation is best for you depends on your personal situation and goals.

Student loan rehabilitation takes longer than consolidation but by successfully rehabilitating your loans, you are able to remove the default from your credit history. So, if that is your primary goal, rehabilitation might make more sense. However, if your goal is to simplify repayment for your defaulted loans, and you want to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan as soon as possible, a Direct Consolidation Loan can be an option to consider.

Keep in mind that both student loan rehabilitation and Direct Loan Consolidation are only options for federal student loans.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Jan
25
2022
How Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Need?

How Much Homeowners Insurance Do You Need?

By | Insurance | Comments Off on How Much Homeowners Insurance Do You Need?

Buying a house, for most of us, is the single largest purchase we’ll ever make — which is exactly why having the right amount of homeowners insurance is so important. “How much home insurance do I need?” is a common question that new homeowners ask themselves, and ultimately, the answer depends on factors like your risk tolerance, the requirements of your mortgage lender and how much you can afford to spend on premiums.

Let’s dig into the details so you can better assess the right amount of dwelling coverage and content coverage when it comes to your homeowners insurance policy.

Choosing the Right Dwelling Coverage

Homeowners insurance, broadly speaking, covers three separate categories: the home itself (or dwelling), the belongings inside your home and liability claims you may be vulnerable to if someone gets hurt on your property. We’re going to start with the first category: dwelling coverage.

Dwelling usually refers not only to your home itself, but also to attached structures, such as porches or garages. Outbuildings, or ADUs, may also be covered, but it’s important to check with your individual insurer, and to keep in mind that they may be covered at a lower rate than the primary dwelling.

Your dwelling is covered against damage that comes from specific perils, which will be named in your policy paperwork. It’s important to understand that not all damages are eligible for repair or replacement if they’re not one of the named perils in your policy.

Here are the common perils covered by most homeowners insurance policies, per the Insurance Information Institute:

•  Fire or lightning

•  Smoke

•  Windstorm or hail

•  Explosions

•  Damage caused by riots or civil commotion

•  Damage caused by vandalism or malicious mischief

•  Damage caused by aircraft, cars or other vehicles

•  Theft

•  Volcanic eruptions

•  Falling objects

•  Damage caused by the weight of snow, ice or sleet

•  Water damage from within the home

However, there are certain types of natural disasters and damages that are not covered under most standard homeowners insurance policies, some of which are important to purchase riders or endorsements for, such as:

•  Flood damage

•  Earthquake damage

•  Maintenance damage (such as damage due to mold or pests)

•  Sewer backups

Once you know which perils are covered by your policy, you can figure out how much coverage you need.

Recommended: Homeowners Insurance Coverage Options to Know

Standard Dwelling Coverage


Generally speaking, you want enough dwelling coverage to fully replace your home in the event it would need to be rebuilt. Importantly, that figure is not the same as your home’s value; the replacement cost may be higher or lower than your home’s value depending on its condition, location, and the price of building materials in your area.

This is a hard number to pin down for sure, but your insurance company or an appraiser can help you make an educated guess. Additionally, you’ll want to review this number yearly, as it can change over time as the price of local labor and materials shifts and it’s critical to assess how much dwelling coverage you need.

Buying Better Dwelling Coverage


While standard dwelling insurance should cover the full cost of replacing your home (in the event that it’s damaged by covered perils, don’t forget), there are additional levels of coverage that could be helpful under certain circumstances.

For instance, if there’s a storm or other local disaster that means many homeowners will be in need of repairs at the same time, the cost of labor and materials might skyrocket thanks to good ol’ supply and demand.

You might consider one of the following options, that are offered by some, but not all, homeowners insurers:

•  Extended replacement cost, which offers from 10% to 100% of additional, extended coverage to account for a spike in building costs.

•  Guaranteed replacement cost, which, as its name implies, guarantees that the full replacement cost of your home will be covered, regardless of price.

Of course, these additional coverages will come at an additional monthly premium cost.

Choosing the Right Contents Coverage


After your dwelling is covered, it’s time to move on to the stuff you keep inside it. Your contents coverage, or personal property coverage, is what you’ll rely on if you need to replace your belongings — from the clothes hanging in your closet to the food waiting in your fridge, and everything in between.

Sounds pretty great, right? The problem is, few of us actually have a handle on what exactly we own. In order to ensure you have enough personal property coverage, it’s a good idea to make an actual inventory of your possessions, or at least go through every room of your home and take photos of high-value items like electronics.

Certain high-value items, like jewelry, musical instruments, rare art or sports equipment, may require the purchase of additional coverages and should be kept on a separate inventory list.

Replacement Value for Better Protection


You may be offered “actual cash value” for your personal property, but if your insurer offers it, it’s a good idea to upgrade to “replacement value.” That way, you’ll be paid out for the actual cost of replacing your items, rather than for their cash value — which may be less than their actual cost to replace them thanks to inflation and other factors.

Adjusting Your Contents Coverage


Just as with your dwelling coverage, you want to ensure you’re regularly adjusting your contents coverage to ensure it’s up to date with what you actually own.

Personal property coverage is generally expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage — so if your home is covered for $400,000, and you have 50% in personal property coverage, you’d be paid $200,000 to replace your belongings. You can, however, adjust this figure up (or down), and you may want to do so.

Theft Limits


Also be sure to look out for “theft limits” in your policy, which may put a cap on how much certain high-value categories of items can be covered in the event of theft. For instance, jewelry may only be covered up to $1,500 in the event of theft, which is exactly why you want to document your high-value items and potentially buy extra coverage for them.

“Open Peril” Coverage for Belongings


Remember those perils we talked about above? Just like your dwelling coverage, your personal property coverage only extends to damages or losses due to those named perils. However, some insurers offer an “open peril” coverage option for belongings, which will cover replacement in any event. (Always be sure to read the fine print of your policy to make sure you know how your coverage works, however.)

Recommended: Is Homeowners Insurance Required to Buy a Home? 

Getting Better Liability Insurance


Finally, homeowners insurance also covers you in case you’re sued by someone who gets hurt on your property — for instance, someone who’s bitten by your dog or gets drunk at a party and falls on the steps. It might seem like a long shot, especially if you trust your friends, but you never know when someone might suddenly face major medical expenses… or decide to sue you.

Those kinds of costs can rack up quickly, so it may be a good idea to adjust up from the “standard” coverage of $100,000. Many personal finance experts suggest ensuring you have enough liability insurance to fully cover your assets — which is to say, the value of your home and all your other possessions, as well as the money you have in the bank.

Recommended: Personal Liability Insurance Coverage

Getting Sufficient Loss of Use Coverage


Finally, homeowners insurance can also cover the living expenses you’ll rack up while it’s in the process of being repaired or rebuilt. That process can take time — and living on restaurant meals and hotel rooms can be costly.

Generally, loss-of-use coverage comes in at about 20% of your dwelling coverage as a default, but think carefully about whether or not you might want to adjust that figure up, especially if you live in an expensive city.

The Takeaway


The exact amount of homeowners insurance you need will depend on both your personal risk tolerance and the requirements of your mortgage lender — not to mention, of course, the monthly premiums you can afford.

While your home might be your single biggest purchase, it’s not the most valuable thing in your possession. That privilege belongs to your life itself. And while you can’t put a dollar value on your life, you can help ensure the people you’d leave behind, if something happened to you, will be comfortable and taken care of in your absence.

Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry — SoFi can help! We’ve teamed up with Ladder to bring our members competitive, simple-to-understand life insurance products that will put your mind at ease. Plus, they take only minutes to set up.

Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages

Insurance not available in all states.
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SoFi is compensated by Gabi for each customer who completes an application through the SoFi-Gabi partnership.

Coverage and pricing is subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # OK22568; AR license # 3000140372) distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers- for further details see ladderlife.com. All insurance products are governed by the terms set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Each insurer has financial responsibility for its own products.
Ladder, SoFi and SoFi Agency are separate, independent entities and are not responsible for the financial condition, business, or legal obligations of the other, Social Finance. Inc. (SoFi) and Social Finance Life Insurance Agency, LLC (SoFi Agency) do not issue, underwrite insurance or pay claims under Ladder Life™ policies. SoFi is compensated by Ladder for each issued term life policy.
SoFi Agency and its affiliates do not guarantee the services of any insurance company.
All services from Ladder Insurance Services, LLC are their own. Once you reach Ladder, SoFi is not involved and has no control over the products or services involved. The Ladder service is limited to documents and does not provide legal advice. Individual circumstances are unique and using documents provided is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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