Category: College Planning

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans plan to spend an average of $830 on Christmas gifts and other holiday items this year. Unless you happen to be an extraordinary gift-giver, chances are that a portion of those gifts will be forgotten, thrown away, or re-gifted. What gift can you give that you know your Read More

Bank of North Dakota’s (BND) College SAVE Plan announced a new match program that encourages families with children entering kindergarten to save for college. The Kindergarten Kickoff Match will deposit $100 into a new or existing College SAVE account as an incentive to set aside a portion of the family’s daycare budget and start saving Read More

Surprises are great – sometimes. When it comes to budgeting and financials, it’s much better to be educated and make thoughtful decisions. BND has created a series of calculators to help you plan so you don’t take on too much student loan or credit card debt. Budget calculator Add up your income and subtract your Read More

May is the perfect month to recognize and celebrate 529 college savings plans. Why? Because like May flowers–with investment and time—they grow. Bank of North Dakota and KX News Network have partnered and are celebrating 529 plans in May by giving away five $529 contributions. Visit the collegesave4u.com to enter the drawing. Registration ends May Read More

The FAFSA can be completed in about 30 minutes if you know what to expect and have the information you need at your fingertips. We’ve created a series of short videos to explain different aspects of student financial aid and common areas where people have questions in completing the FAFSA. Overview of the financial aid Read More

For many college students, the independence that comes with living off campus teaches valuable life skills, such as paying bills, cooking, cleaning and managing a household. But sometimes the responsibilities of off-campus living can be a bit overwhelming. You need to learn how to navigate lease terms and communicate with your landlord. Here are a Read More

Imagine you’re shopping online for back-to-school shoes when you spy an amazing pair of Nikes. They’re your favorite color, they have the perfect amount of traction and they only cost… $145. Whoa. Now you have a real dilemma on your hands. You don’t get your paycheck for another three weeks and even then you won’t Read More

During your first few weeks of college, the next four years seem to stretch before you like a never-ending road. But before you know it, a semester has passed. Then, an entire school year.  Suddenly you find yourself halfway through your college career and about $14,000 in student debt. Yikes! At this rate, your post-grad Read More

School’s out, the sun is shining, the grass is green and you can’t wait to hang out at the pool with friends. But wait a second… you’re only two years away from starting college (or scarier yet, only one year away). Didn’t your school counselor say something about preparing for college over the summer? Chances Read More

What if you could skip college classes because you already learned the material in high school? Better yet, what if you could graduate a semester early and jump start your career, saving yourself time and money? If you take a College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) exam after your senior year Read More

The mere thought of paying student loans sends most college students reeling, but student debt doesn’t have to be a cause for nightmares. With careful planning and research, students can minimize their financial need and find borrowing options that will set them up for success. Check out these four keys to conquering debt phobia and Read More

Picture this. You’re a high school senior trying to decide between two different majors. On one hand, you’ve always dreamed about attending medical school, but you’re worried you won’t like working long hours at the clinic. On the other hand, you love music and think you have what it takes to be a band teacher, Read More

The number one way to set yourself up for success in college and beyond is to develop a killer resume that leaves a lasting impression on employers and college admission counselors. Your resume should include everything from extracurricular involvement and volunteer work to internships and summer jobs. But that’s not all. Resumes should also give Read More

The store aisles are buzzing. Soon-to-be college students are paging through lists of dorm necessities and shelling out hundreds of dollars for futons, mini fridges and Keurig coffeemakers. New roommates are already arguing over matching bedspreads and wall décor. What is the cause of all this madness? It could be nothing less than back-to-school shopping. Read More

Summer is the perfect time to travel, explore new places and visit friends and family. But before you get too busy planning your next vacation destination, make time to schedule a pit stop at one of your top college choices. A buffet of college options When making a college decision, it’s important to determine what Read More