Eagle Community Blog

Spring break is a tradition that most students want to add to their college experience. Whether it’s visiting a popular hot spot or exploring someplace off the beaten path, it’s a chance to create fun memories with friends.

But spring break isn’t necessarily cheap. And it can be hard to say “no” when all your friends are going. Before you start eyeing your credit card that’s only for “emergencies,” review the following ten tips to help make your spring break funds go further.

With uncertainty surrounding the unfolding pandemic, on March 13, 2020, most federal student loans went into “Administrative Forbearance.” During this time, eligible loans had their interest rates set to 0% APR and loan payments were paused.¹

On December 31, 2022, nearly three years later, the administrative forbearance was set to end – meaning federal student loan payments would resume in 2023. However, this date was extended due to ongoing litigation about the U.S. Department of Education’s student debt relief program. Student loan payments will now resume either 60 days after the litigation is resolved or 60 days after June 30, 2023, whichever is sooner.²

For many borrowers, this is causing panic and stress. While the initial effects of the pandemic have largely passed, rising prices and record inflation are already hitting borrowers’ wallets. Before your student loan payments resume, review the following tips to ensure you’re financially ready.

If you haven't looked into scholarships yet, it's time to start your search! There are multiple scholarship opportunities not only for new students, but also for students who are currently enrolled in college. They can be as broad as academic and merit scholarships or as specific and unusual as duck calling scholarships (start practicing your best "quack" - it may be worth some good money). Eagle also offers an annual scholarship to members who apply. Learn more in this article.

If starting college is your first time living away from home, then there’s probably a lot on your mind. Setting out on your own means more independence and all of the responsibilities that come with it, which can be both exciting and daunting. One thing you want to keep in mind as you’re starting the transition is your finances.

Learning to manage your money early will set you up for more financial freedom later on and lead to less stress. There are steps you can take before you leave for school to secure your finances and moves you can make once you’re at school to maximize your funds.

Here are seven financial tips for first-year college students.

Life in your twenties can be exciting and full of new opportunities. There are many milestones young members might cross off their lists during this period: graduating college, beginning their careers, getting married, and even starting families.

While long-term financial goals might seem a lifetime away, the decisions you make today can significantly impact your future fiscal success. When it comes to building wealth, time is your best friend. The sooner you begin laying the foundation for the future, the better your position will be when you approach your next financial milestone.

Here are several wise money moves you can make in your twenties to prepare yourself for financial events yet to come.

With cars in hot demand, and selling at all-time high prices, many lease customers are looking at trade-in values for their vehicles with the intention of buying out their lease. While this can be a smart choice for many consumers, it’s important to consider all relevant factors before making a decision. Here’s what you need to know about buying out your lease.

Enrolling in college can often feel like a double-edged sword. It can be an excellent investment in your future and provide you with more opportunities throughout your professional career. On the other hand, the costs can be high – forcing you to rely on student loans to cover at least a portion of the expenses.

The trick is to limit how much you borrow. With loans, you have to consider the amount you need to repay, plus interest that is accruing at the same time. Since student loans typically have longer repayment periods, the interest can add up quickly – even with favorable rates.

To prevent yourself from becoming overloaded with student debt upon graduation, find ways to reduce the amount you need to borrow.

A college degree remains one of the best investments in your future self. It can open the door to new career opportunities and increase your earning potential significantly. However, the cost of higher education today leaves many wondering if it’s worth the investment.

While college expenses continue to rise, there are many ways to lower the financial burden. One of the most popular means to do this is through college scholarships.

Making the transition from high school to college means you're in store for some significant changes in your life. Among those changes is the need to establish credit and build a solid credit score.

Your credit score is one of the most important things for you to nurture as an adult. It will affect almost every purchase you make on credit, your auto insurance rates, and your ability to rent an apartment. It may even impact your ability to get employment in desirable industries.

Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to build credit if you don’t already have a credit history. Lenders are reluctant to extend credit without it. So, how do you build credit if you don’t already have credit? As your credit union, we want to help our members do just that. Here are a few steps you can take to begin building a strong credit history and develop a great credit score.

Sometimes loans and borrowing money can have a negative connotation. The truth is that loans are powerful instruments that can drastically improve your financial standing when used properly. Whether you’re investing in yourself through higher education, purchasing a home for your family, or just need cash flow for monthly expenses, loans often make the impossible possible.

However, while loans may serve a financial purpose, that doesn’t mean you should come to rely on borrowed funds. Instead, use the loan as intended and work to become debt-free as quickly as possible.

Formulating a plan to pay off loans early is a great way to save on interest and free up valuable funds for other needs.

For many young adults, obtaining a college degree in their desired field is the key to a secure financial future. Unfortunately, though, scammers are exploiting this essential right of passage by offering fake diplomas and bogus degree programs to the unsuspecting college-bound crowd. Here’s what you need to know about college degree scams.

Turning 18 is a significant milestone in many people's lives. While teenagers may have felt grown-up long before the “Big One-Eight,” now they are legally recognized as adults. Adulthood may bring a mixed bag of feelings of freedom and trepidation. Whether you are still at home or setting out on your own, you'll need to prepare for the changes that come with being 18. In this blog we share a quick guide to starting out at 18.

Sending your child to college without having any savings isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to take more research, more writing and more debt. This disadvantage isn’t insurmountable though: You and your child are both going to have to work a little harder to make this happen.