Financial aid is an essential part of the college experience.  According to the National Center For Education Statistics, 85% of undergraduates in the US were awarded financial aid in the 2016/2017 school year. However, in the age of COVID-19, many students are worried that income changes may impact their ability to pay for school. Here are a few tips to navigate the unchartered territory many colleges students find themselves in for the 2020/2021 school year.

You've heard it before, but it's worth repeating: we are living in unprecedented times. This is not normal. Whether you've lost your job during this time, or are feeling lucky that you didn't, the crisis certainly has made everyone take a closer look at their financial security. Would you feel steadier right now if you had a stockpile of money in the bank? Would a weight lifted be off your shoulders if you had no monthly credit card or student loan payments? You might feel like you have to choose between putting money in the bank or paying off debt, but you can have it all! You just have to do it one step at a time. Here's an easy, 3-step process for building an emergency fund while paying off debt.

Nearly 15 million students are enrolled in fall semester classes throughout the United States this year. Approximately 72 percent of those students have received at least some form of financial aid according to the Washington Post. Those who do not receive financial aid will need to file a Free Application For Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form to receive funding. That form is a lifeline to many students not able to pay for their higher education otherwise. This begs the question: What are people whose incomes have been damaged by COVID-19 supposed to do now?