college and beyond

Wondering how to handle college expenses? These strategies will mean money in the bank.

College Funding Made Easy.

There’s no disputing the value of a college education. But with dramatically rising costs, finding ways to finance college has become much more challenging. Learn about a range of potential opportunities that can make college more attainable and affordable — from tax-advantaged* savings accounts to proven advice on ways to seek out scholarships, grants, financial aid, and educational loans.

It’s less expensive to pay for college with savings than it is to borrow money and have to pay interest on the loan after graduation. Saving for college is like saving for anything else — if you start early and small, you’ll be surprised at how much you can save.

To help you save for a brighter future, we’ll tell you:

How the Coverdell Education savings account works.
How to smartly save for college.
How to manage post-graduation debt.
Should you save money for college or for retirement?
Use our college savings calculator.
Financial tips for preparing your kids for college.
Learn about hidden college costs you may not have budgeted for.

Financial aid like grants and scholarships are the preferred way to pay for college since you generally don’t pay the money back. Financial aid can also cover a range of expenses, like tuition and fees, lodging, books, and supplies. So these programs are incredibly beneficial.

We will help you navigate the world of financial aid:

Learn what financial aid is.
How to apply for FAFSA.
Understanding financial aid letters.
Learn the difference between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans.

There are plenty of funding options available to borrow money for college. We’ll help you navigate them through topics like:

Student loans 101: How do student loans work?
The difference between federal and private student loans.
Learn how to pay off student loans faster.
Should I refinance my student loans?
How to manage loan debt after graduation.
Explore ways to pay for college with our Smart Money U™ program.
Use our student loan consolidation calculator.
What is Reasonable and Affordable Debt?

Smart Money U™ is the smart way to move toward your financial goals.

Credit card bills, debt, and saving may not be top of mind for you, but the financial decisions you make today will have a long-term impact on your life. Smart Money U will prepare you with the right skills to manage your financial future. The Smart Money U platform contains a myriad of valuable resources, including interactive educational videos in the ALEC LearningLab+, financial articles, podcasts, calculators, and more.

Learn More

ALEC LearningLab+

Click on a course below to begin your personal learning experience.

A1 Credit Tool

New to the world of credit and interested in learning about its impact on your financial situation? This helpful learning experience is a good match for anyone looking for a foundation when it comes to credit, budgeting, and savings.

Aligning Priorities

Deciding which expenses are most important for you and how to adjust your budget? Changes to our financial lives can often result in stress, making the decisions even more challenging.

CheckRight

A checking account is a basic financial tool that makes a big impact on your overall financial health and wellness. This learning tool will set you up for success, improving your confidence and attitude around healthy checking account habits.

Debt Repayment Options

Mapping a plan to pay down debt and wondering which path is right for you? This course provides all the details you need to explore multiple ways to manage debt.

Pay Down Your Credit Card

When it comes to paying off credit card debt, there are different schools of thought. Understand the pros and cons of the snowball and avalanche methods and the Debt Management Program.

Redesign Your Financial Habits

Oftentimes, we create spending plans with the right motivation and intent. BUT there’s something else at play. Habits. It takes time and thought to adopt or change your banking behaviors.

Webinar: Time to Prepare for Student Loan Payments to Resume

Learn what actions to take now to prepare for student loan payments to resume, as well as what to do if you’re concerned about making payments.

What is Your Financial Personality?

What is your relationship with money? Are you the type to save for a rainy day? Or do you have fun spending money as soon as you get it? Who do you trust when it comes to financial advice? Answering these questions can be helpful in determining your financial personality.

ALEC Podcasts

Whether you’re listening in the car, during your morning jog, or during your lunch, you’re in for a treat with the ALEC Podcast. With each episode, you’ll gain the knowledge, resources, and tools needed to support you on your financial journey.

Episode 1: ALEC Financial Resources

Episode 2: Bank Anywhere

Episode 3: Credit Score Part 1

Episode 4: Credit Score Part 2

Episode 6: Getting Your Student Ready for College

Episode 11: Budgeting

Check out some of our helpful calculators:

More available calculators

Other Educational Resources

Building Financial Resilience

It’s never too early or too late to think about building your credit history, and we’ll give you insider tips on how to do it.

Banking Basics

Valuable tools and advice to help you make sound decisions and manage your day-to-day financial matters.

Building Your Savings

Learn how to save money and the options that are available to you.

Buying A Car

Buying a car can be a fun and exciting process, but you’ll get a better deal on it if you’re armed with the right information. But we’ve got you covered.