Career College Central

imagine-america.org 7 This is a tool for helping you make sound financial decisions. Since this is one of the biggest investments in your life, you need to think through every way your finances will be impacted when you go back to school. OUR FPMS TOOL CAN HELP YOU • Create your budget. This will assist you with determining needs and wants, creating as little debt as possible, and figuring out how much to borrow. • Identify ways to create savings. The user-friendly dashboard helps you separate your living expenses and college expenses, as well as identifies ways to create savings. • Learn how to communicate with advisors as you talk through this decision. The Imagine America Foundation's Financial Planning Made Simple (FPMS) tool has made a significant difference in student borrowing. Since 2012, students have borrowed almost $200 million less! Click here to view the FPMS tool and set a budget today. THIS TOOL ALSO HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF FINANCIAL AID: • Loans — Federal and private loans are the most widely used options. • Grants — These are financial awards from financial aid sources that do not have to be repaid. • Scholarships – These do not have to be repaid. You usually have to meet specific criteria to be awarded a scholarship. • Federal Work Study — This option offers part-time employment for students with financial need. YOU CAN EVEN PLAN FOR THREE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS TO COMPARE HOW YOU WOULD FARE: • You have no job and are living on a budget. • You have a job and are living on a budget. • You only have to cover school expenses. With the help of this option, you can truly fine-tune your calculations. If you are ready to see how you can balance your finances and make a sound plan for paying for school, use our FPMS tool to get started. 5 Use our Financial Planning Made Simple (FPMS) tool to create your budget

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