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If you live in Florida — or are thinking of relocating — the Sunshine State has several prestigious colleges and universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of Florida and Rollins College.

Higher education is less expensive in Florida than in most other states. The state also operates several robust financial aid programs, such as the Bright Futures scholarship program, that can make college more affordable for residents.

The cost of education in Florida

Florida’s education system includes 40 public colleges and universities. There are also at least 30 private, non-profit schools throughout the state.

Generally, a college education in Florida is cheaper than the national average. Here’s how much you can expect each year of your degree to cost at different types of institutions, based on 2020-21 average tuition rates as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics:

  • Public four-year, in-state: Nationally, the average cost of a public, in-state university was $21,337 per year. In Florida, the cost was $15,543 per year — a difference of almost $6,000. 

  • Private non-profit: Private colleges and universities are usually more expensive than public schools. The average cost of a year at a private school in Florida was $28,860, about $4,500 less than the national average.  

  • Community college: The average cost of attending a two-year school was $3,501 per year at the national level. In Florida, the average cost was $2,506 per year, nearly $1,000 less. 

Financial aid options in Florida

To qualify for state-based financial aid, you must establish residency. For the purposes of in-state tuition rates and other state aid, you or your parents must live in Florida for at least 12 consecutive months before the first day of the term.

Currently, undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students can qualify for in-state tuition rates at Florida public colleges and universities if they meet the following criteria:

  • Attend a secondary school in Florida for at least three consecutive years before graduating.

  • Enroll in a Florida postsecondary institution within 24 months of graduating from high school.

  • Submit an official Florida high school transcript as evidence of attendance and completion.

However, the 2014 law that allowed those students to qualify for in-state tuition is facing challenges. Current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed repealing the measure, so this benefit may not be available in the future.

If you are a Florida resident, you may qualify for one or more of the following financial aid programs:

  • 529 plans.

  • In-state tuition.

  • Scholarships.

  • Student loan repayment assistance.

Florida 529 plans

529 plans are tools to save for a child’s future education. In Florida, there are two programs:

  • Prepaid tuition plan: Florida Prepaid College Plans allow you to purchase college credits for future use at today’s prices. The credits can be used in-state or out, and the child can attend public or private schools. The funds are available for up to 10 years after the child’s projected high school graduation date, and plans start at $45 per month. There’s also a $50 application fee. 

  • 529 college savings plan: The Florida 529 Savings Plan is an investment account you can use to save for a child’s education. You can choose from a range of investment options to grow your contributions tax-free as long as you use the money to pay for eligible education expenses.  

While some states offer special benefits, such as state account contributions or tax credits, Florida does not provide the same incentives or benefits.

Florida in-state tuition

Florida participates in the Academic Common Market. This network allows resident students to attend school in other states and pay in-state tuition rates. Through the network, students can qualify for in-state tuition at eligible programs in the following states:

  • Louisiana.

  • Mississippi.

  • South Carolina.

  • Tennessee.

  • West Virginia.

Not all schools or programs qualify, so talk to your selected school’s financial aid office to find out if you’re eligible for in-state rates.

Florida grants

Grants, as a form of gift aid, don’t need to be repaid, and they’re typically awarded based on financial need. Florida has three state grant programs:

First Generation Matching Grant Program

The First Generation Matching Grant Program is for Florida undergraduate students with substantial financial need and whose parents did not earn a college degree. Award amounts vary by year and the needs of the student.

Florida Student Assistance Grant Program

José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund

Florida scholarships

Students from Florida may qualify for one of nine scholarships.

Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Florida’s best-known and most valuable scholarship is the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Through Bright Futures, students can qualify for an award for as much as 100% of college tuition and fees.

To qualify, students must be Florida residents, earn a Florida high school diploma or its equivalent, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in high school. Students must also complete volunteer service or paid work hours to qualify for the Bright Futures program.

Benacquisto Scholarship Program

The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is a merit-based award for high school graduates who achieved National Merit Scholar status. The award amount varies, but it can cover the total cost of attendance at participating schools, minus other financial aid.

Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship Program

The Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship Program is both merit-based and need-based. Each year, up to 50 eligible students can qualify for financial assistance that covers up to 100% of the credit hours required for degree or certificate programs. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be farmworkers or the children of farmworkers.

Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship

As a merit- and need-based scholarship, the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship provides up to $3,000 in financial aid to academically strong students with financial need. To qualify, students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and enroll at Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University or Florida Memorial University.

Minority Teacher Education Scholars program

Administered by the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, the Minority Teacher Education Scholars program is a performance-based scholarship for African American, Hispanic American, Asian American and Native American students. Eligible students can receive up to $4,000 per year in financial assistance.

Randolph Bracy Ocoee Scholarship Program

Students who are direct descendants of the victims of the Ocoee Election Day Riots of November 1920 or are current African American residents of Ocoee are eligible for the Randolph Bracy Ocoee Scholarship Program. Eligible students will receive up to $6,100 per year in financial aid.

Rosewood Family Scholarship

The Rosewood Massacre occurred in 1923. Students who are direct descendants of Rosewood families affected by those events can qualify for the Rosewood Family Scholarship. Qualifying students will receive up to $6,100.

Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

This award is for the children or spouses of deceased or disabled military veterans who were Florida residents. Eligible students can receive funding for up to 110% of the required credit hours for an initial baccalaureate degree or certificate program.

William L. Boyd, IV Effective Access to Student Education Program

Student loan repayment programs in Florida

If you have student loans and live and work in Florida, you may be eligible for help from the state in repaying your loans. Florida has programs for attorneys and health care workers who will repay a portion of your debt if you complete a service obligation in a high-need area. The following loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) are available:

Florida Bar Foundation

The Florida Bar Foundation designed its LRAP to encourage attorneys to work for legal aid organizations. Under the terms of the LRAP, eligible lawyers can receive up to $5,000 per calendar year to repay federal or private student loans.

Florida John R. Justice

Florida’s John R. Justice LRAP provides repayment benefits to state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors who commit to remaining as defenders or prosecutors for at least three years. Participants in the program can receive up to $10,000 in loan repayment assistance per year, up to a maximum of $60,000. This program will only repay federal student loans; borrowers with private student loans aren’t eligible.

Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education program

The goal of the FRAME program is to recruit and retain medical professionals to practice in underserved areas. Through the program, nurses, physicians and physician assistants can receive assistance with their student loans. Award amounts vary by profession, but eligible borrowers can receive up to $20,000 per year in student loan repayment benefits. Federal and private student loans can be repaid through FRAME.

Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program

The Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to $4,000 annually in loan forgiveness to nurses working full time at a designated site. Examples include public schools, state-operated medical and health care facilities, and county health departments.

Nurses can participate in the program for up to four years. The program will repay federal and private student loans.

How to apply for financial aid in Florida

Florida has several financial aid programs, including gift aid in the form of grants and scholarships. To ensure you get all of the aid you’re eligible for, follow these steps:

  • Fill out the FAFSA: Need-based programs will determine your financial need based on the information that you submit with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can take less than an hour to complete. Fill it out online at FAFSA.gov. 

  • Look up deadlines: Although Florida’s FAFSA deadline is in mid-May, some scholarship or grant programs may have different deadlines and requirements. Review the application materials of each program carefully, and make a note of any deadlines. 

  • Create an account with Florida’s Office of Student Financial Assistance: Some of Florida’s programs require you to have a student account with the Office of Student Financial Assistance. It’s free to create an account, and you can open one at FloridaStudentFinancialAidSG.org. 

  • Fill out the Florida Financial Aid Application: Some grant and scholarship programs require the Florida Financial Aid Application as well as the FAFSA. You must have a student account with the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Once your account is created, you can access and fill out the application. 

Apply for specific programs: Some programs, such as the Benacquisto Scholarship Program or the Minority Teacher Education Scholars program, require separate applications or additional materials. Review each program’s eligibility requirements online so you can fulfill the application requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is Florida Bright Futures based on income?

No, Bright Futures scholarships are not awarded based on your family’s income. In fact, the FAFSA isn’t required at all. Eligibility is determined by your residency, grades, standardized test scores, and volunteer or paid work hours.

Are undocumented or DACA students eligible for Florida in-state tuition?

Currently, undocumented and DACA students are eligible for in-state tuition rates under Florida House Bill (H.B.) 851, which was passed into law in 2014.

Can Florida residents get help completing the FAFSA?

Yes. Visit the Florida College Access Network for free resources, including detailed videos and tutorials, that can help you fill out the required forms to get the maximum amount of financial aid possible.

What is the FAFSA deadline for Florida?

Florida’s FAFSA deadline for the 2023–24 academic year was May 15, 2023. The application typically opens to students on Oct. 1 each year, so it’s a good idea to fill it out as soon as possible. If you missed this deadline, you can still complete the FAFSA for federal aid through Jun. 30, 2024.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Appraiser, ECOA, Video Marketing Products; Conventional Conforming News; What Has Driven Rates Higher?

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Appraiser, ECOA, Video Marketing Products; Conventional Conforming News; What Has Driven Rates Higher?

By:
Rob Chrisman

Fri, May 26 2023, 11:12 AM

Did you know that wheat futures prices are at a 2-year low? And lumber prices continue to drop? Those numbers should help reduce inflation. During the conference in NY there was plenty of talk about external influences such as price increases on residential lending. But there are also plenty of issues within our biz that face lenders daily. For example, signing bonuses continue, albeit at a slower rate. Perhaps some of the economic bloom is off the bonus rose? Big signing bonuses come with big handcuffs. It stinks when a competitor takes your production but not your overhead, right? With the help of technology and tracking, a lender’s management can, more than ever, determine whether a given branch or LO is making money for the company, or is merely a source of concessions and extensions. Recruiters sometimes talk of the “greater fool” theory when bad LOs or branches move on to another lender. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by Black Knight. From point-of-sale through post-closing, the company’s trusted loan origination system, Empower, as well as its integrated, end-to-end origination solutions deliver unmatched capabilities, functionality, and support to increase processing efficiencies and lower operational costs for lenders. Hear an interview with Polunsky Beitel Green’s Stacey Maisano on women in the mortgage industry and getting the younger generation involved.)

Lender and Broker Products, Software, and Services

Loan officers, if there was an easy button for creating incredible video marketing content on social media, would you press it? Now you can thanks to Video Catalyst by SocialCoach. Say goodbye to the days of wondering what to say, what equipment you’ll need, and how you’ll edit. With Video Catalyst, we’ve made it easy to create compliant, scroll-stopping, professional-grade videos in record time. Here’s how: We write four fresh, relevant (and compliant) scripts for you every month. You simply read the scripts while recording the video from your smartphone and then send it back to us for professional editing, which includes the addition of music, dynamic captions, gifs, and emojis. We then post it to your account for seamless sharing. That’s it. You press record, we do the rest. Want to see how Video Catalyst can unlock the power of video marketing for your business? Check it out here.

Calling all compliance managers! Imagine if you could complete your ECOA/Reg-B Process in the time it takes you to read this blurb. Imagine saving thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours by not working on your ECOA process. Sounds like a dream, right? Well imagine no more! Velma Connector is here to make your compliance dreams come true. Connector automates the whole ECOA process and can do the work of multiple team members, making sure you never miss another NOIA notice, which means never having to worry about a costly fine ever again! If you’re ready to start saving all that time and money, contact Velma today and ask us how we can get you a 300 percent ROI in just the first year!

Is your appraisal vendor performance below average? Book a complimentary appraisal vendor performance consultation with Reggora’s Chief Operations Officer, Alek Roberts, to see how your vendors stack up. You’ll see how your vendors perform relative to industry average turn times, revision rates and fee escalation rates. You’ll also see data on how that impacts your overall origination process, including if and how your operating costs are higher than they need to be. Book now

Investors and Lenders Adjust Their Conforming Conventional Offerings

United Wholesale Mortgage announced enhancements to its Conventional 1 percent Down product, allowing borrowers with less than 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) to qualify. Those who qualify will put down 1 percent of the loan towards their down payment and UWM will then pay a 2 percent grant up to $4,000, for a total down payment of 3 percent.

Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Pro TPO have introduced ONE+ by Rocket Mortgage, a 1 percent down home loan program that is available for qualifying homebuyers whose income is equal to or less than 80 percent of their area median income (AMI) for single-family homes, including manufactured homes. Rocket Mortgage provides a 2 percent grant towards the down payment. ONE+ completely covers the monthly mortgage insurance fee for the client. Partner with Rocket Pro TPO to take advantage of ONE+ today!

Pennymac updated Conventional LLPAs effective for all Best-Efforts Commitments taken on or after Monday, May 15. Details are available in Announcement 23-34.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the rescission of the DTI ratio-based fee. As a result, Pennymac updated the Best Effort rate sheet effective for all Best Effort Commitments taken on or after Thursday, May 11th. Details were posted in Announcement 23-23: Updates to Conventional LLPAs.

Pennymac is aligning with Freddie Mac’s credit underwriting update, announced in Bulletin 2023-6, adding a requirement that a non-occupant borrower may not be an interested party to the transaction (i.e., the builder, property seller, real estate agent or broker, etc.) This new requirement is effective with loan deliveries on or after 7/3/23. View the Penny Mac Announcement 23-32 for additional information.

Citi Correspondent Lending Bulletin 2023-04 includes credit policy updates on Agency loans appraisal waivers, life insurance net cash value on Non-Agency Jumbo loans and clarifies subordinate financing applicable to Non-Agency Jumbo.

PRMG Product Update 23-26 includes clarification on multiple products. Conventional Products requirements regarding use of business funds in the transaction a cash flow analysis, underwriting review requirements when obtaining prior approval from VA, Alternative AUS Jumbo clarification for properties in a declining market, program fee requirements on CA CalHFA Products, and mortgage insurance coverage requirements on CO CHFA Preferred Plus Conventional.

Many banks are stressed and are not lending. Flagstar Bank has money, is lending and actively looking for SBA 504 loans now. This includes General Purpose Properties, Conventional portion minimum $750,000, 2 years tax return debt service. CA, NV, NY with more states to come, Small Construction work is acceptable with no more than 20 percent of the project including the interim loan and permanent loan, 51 percent or more owner-user commercial. With Prime now at 8.25 percent, it is time to look at a long-term fixed 504 purchase or refinance. You can now refinance a 7(a) loan (or conventional) with an SBA 504 and maybe even get some additional cash out for business purposes.

Citizens Correspondent National Bulletin 2023-12 includes information on Condo Project Manager Update – DU.

Freddie Mac Bulletin 2023-9 announced multiple Selling Guide changes, including updated requirements related to property appraisals and condominium projects. For impacts on AmeriHome guidelines, see Product Announcement 20230504-CL for details.

With Guide Bulletin 2023-11, Freddie Mac announced multiple Selling Guide changes, including updated requirements related to IRS installment agreements and real estate tax abatements and exemptions. For impacts on guidelines, see AmeriHome Product Announcement 20230508-CL for details

Capital Markets

Keep two things in mind. The markets, and individuals, don’t like uncertainty. But the future is always uncertain. Second, economic doldrums lead to lower rates. But rates rose again yesterday as the clock wound down on the window for debt ceiling negotiations, with a potential U.S. default looming on the horizon. If the U.S. defaults on its debt, higher mortgage rates are a potential risk facing the economy.

How quickly we’ve moved on from the banking crisis, though loan officers should keep credit tightening in mind. Most banks, including those that failed, own 30-year fixed rate mortgage-backed securities. Those MBS prices have fallen the most with the Fed’s sharp run-up in rates, making it likely that banks will buy far fewer MBS (and jumbos) going forward, decreasing demand, widening spreads further, and generally causing mortgage rates to go higher. Rates have been on the rise as of late, and while some of the movement can be attributed to “hawkish” comments from the Fed, the shift higher appears to be global: The German Bund, Japanese Government Bond, and UK Gilt have all moved higher in lockstep.

Investors see the Fed cutting rates this year, even with Chair Powell and his fellow FOMC members doing their best to convince Wall Street that they’re serious about inflation and that no such thing will happen. In fact, recent Fed messaging has been that we may not be done with rate hikes just yet. After 500 basis points of interest rate hikes over the past year, it’s true that the Fed is close to the end of this hiking cycle, at least for the short-term. However, we could see a major sell-off in stocks and bonds if investors succumb to the Fed in this “tug of war” over the central bank’s monetary policy moves in the second half of this year and admit that multiple rate cuts in 2023 aren’t in the cards.

Chatter out of the MBA’s conference in Manhattan (in addition to more companies shuttering and frustration over repurchases) included delinquencies picking up for various credit types, volatility driving spreads wider, MSR valuations pricing the impact of buyer burnout, and mortgage credit availability continuing to decline. The collapse of three mid-size US banks and the forced marriage of Credit Suisse to UBS pushed lending standards to tighten across the board, especially for commercial real estate and residential lending.

For residential, the tightening was more pronounced in jumbo and non-QM as opposed to GSE and government loans. Banks becoming more cautious on risk has also led to standards tightening on multi-family, by increasing spreads, raising covenants, and lowering LTVs. Loan demand is also falling (including for HELOCs and other residential real estate loans), while the lending standards are getting tighter, typical for an economy that is poised to enter a recession.

These tighter lending standards exist at a time when there are few homes for sale. The reasons for the scarcity of existing home sales are well known at this point: Lack of inventory, elevated home prices, and half of all mortgaged homes having first-lien interest rates at or below 3.5 percent while rates continue to rise. Those elements are unlikely to change anytime soon. Supply constraints are a familiar topic of discussion with millions of Americans content to keep their rate and not sell anytime soon, and, coupled with today’s homebuyers being exceptionally interest rate sensitive, as most won’t accept a rate higher than 5.5 percent, and it’s not a good recipe for lenders.

If mortgage rates fall somewhat, we still have an affordability problem, even with rising wages. Homebuilding will eventually rebound and help this issue, but the rate of decreases in the backlog reported by the builders and elevated cancellation rates don’t bode well for an imminent change.

Shifting to the intra-day price moves, despite today’s early close ahead of the long Memorial Day weekend, several key economic releases will be out and could sway the Fed’s thinking regarding further rate increases. We’ve already received personal income and spending for April (+.4 and +.8 percent, respectively, core PCE +4.7 percent year over year), and durable goods orders (+1.1 percent, ex-transportation -.2 percent). Expectations were for income and spending increasing 0.5 percent and 0.4 percent month-over-month, respectively, with the Core PCE Price Index increasing 0.3 percent month-over-month and 4.6 percent year-over-year. Later today brings Michigan sentiment before fixed income futures settle at 1pm ET and cash markets close at 2pm per SIFMA’s recommendation. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices worse by a few ticks (32nds), the 10-year yielding 3.82 after closing yesterday at 3.81 percent, and the 2-year is at 4.56 after the strong, anti-recessionary, data this morning.

Employment

A Louisiana based full-service, independent mortgage banker averaging $1 billion in production annually is searching for a proven retail sales leader to run all business development initiatives. The Sales, Recruiting, and Marketing departments will report directly to this head of business development role, and the role will report directly to the CEO. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of hiring and managing multiple production offices across several states. The IMB is well capitalized, has agency direct approvals, offers niche products, significant technology advancements and a world-class operations team with experienced, tenured sales and fulfillment employees. For confidential consideration, please email resume to Chrisman LLC’s Anjelica Nixt.

“Logan Finance is blessed to see such incredible growth recently. As we keep count of all the units that drive our business, it’s easy to lose sight of all the military units and those individuals who served throughout history to help afford us all the possibilities we have today. As we think of Memorial Day, we should celebrate it as a day that honors all these great opportunities and focus on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we should never lose count of. From the Logan family to yours, ‘Happy Memorial Day.’”

As a mortgage sales professional have you ever thought, “What if I could focus on only the things that actually grow my business, flipping the hourglass and spending 80 percent of my time on what I do best: building relationships?” Or “What if I could surround myself with sales support that is truly team inspired, results driven marketing and customer obsessed headache-free process?” Welcome to radius financial group! They started radius with one main focus: to offer a better value proposition than any other bank or mortgage company in the country for you, your borrowers and your referral partners. radius can help you grow your business, have a better quality of life, and make more money. For confidential inquires please contact Carla Herrera.

 Download our mobile app to get alerts for Rob Chrisman’s Commentary.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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Many people have speculated that a recession and rising unemployment could cause more foreclosures which could then cause a housing crash. If there is a recession and more unemployment that cause foreclosures it is important to know how long foreclosures take in order to get an accurate idea of when those foreclosures may hit the market. Many people may be surprised by how long it takes to foreclose on properties in the US. This article will go over the length of time it takes on overage to foreclose on a home, not the absolute fastest it can be done.

What is a foreclosure?

A foreclosure happens when a homeowner takes out a loan on their home or a home they are buying and uses that home as collateral for the loan. If the homeowner stops making payments or violates another part of the loan requirements, the lender (usually a bank or mortgage company) can start the foreclosure process.

The foreclosure process varies state by state and usually involves the local courts or a Public Trustee who oversee the foreclosure. The banks will have a lawyer prepare the paperwork, loan documents, and foreclosure documents. Those documents are sent to the courts or trustees. The courts or trustees will review everything and if in order, they will publish the notice of foreclosure. Once that notice is published, there is a certain amount of time the homeowners are given to cure (bring the loan current) the foreclosure. A sale date is scheduled and if the homeowners do not bring the loan current the house can sell back to the bank or another party at the foreclosure sale which is usually an auction. In some states, after the sale the previous owners still have time to redeem the property or other lien holders may redeem it as well which means the full foreclosure sale price is paid off.

What is the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure or REO sale?

The homeowner can sell the property right up until the foreclosure sale or even sometimes after the foreclosure sale and during the redemption period. They own the home until the foreclosure is complete. If the homeowner has equity, they may be able to sell the home and pay off the loan and any other liens. The amount owed during a foreclosure is usually quite a bit more than the loan balance because the lenders can charge lawyers’ fees and other costs.

If the homeowner owes more than the house is worth they may be able to sell it as a short sale. A short sale is when the bank or other lenders accept less than they are owed in order for the homeowner to sell the house. In some cases, the debt is forgiven and in some cases, the homeowner may still owe some money to the lien holder who allowed the short sale. Some banks even pay homeowners to complete a short sale because they do not want to have to go through the foreclosure process.

An REO sale (real estate owned or sometimes other real estate owned) is when the bank has foreclosed on a property, they bought the property back at the foreclosure sale (in some cases the homeowner just gives it back), and the bank is selling the home.

Why has the time to foreclose increased so much?

The time to foreclose on properties has increased significantly since the last housing crash in 2008. Many people think this is all due to Covid and the foreclosure moratoriums. However, the time to foreclose had increased significantly before anyone had heard of covid.

After the last crash, the US government and banks realized that selling a lot of houses at once was not good for the real estate market. it was not good for the people who owned houses or the people who lost homes to foreclosure. The US government enacted many rules that forced banks to take their time foreclosing and give homeowners many opportunities to prevent foreclosure.

The banks have to make sure they offer loan modifications, and the opportunity to do a short sale, and they have to take their time to make sure the loan and foreclosure are done correctly. You may remember, many banks got in trouble for foreclosing wrong and some people even got their houses back. I actually bought a house at the foreclosure sale where the previous owners thought they were going to get their house back for free, but that did not happen. I will do a video on that story soon but you can see some of my other crazy flip stories in in the video below.

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All of these new requirements have made the foreclosure process much longer and many banks do not even want to foreclose unless they have to because of the bad publicity foreclosures bring. A lot of banks will even sell their pre-foreclosure properties in huge bulk packages to other investors so they don’t have to go through the headaches of foreclosing.

How long does it take to foreclose on a house in each state?

As I said the average time to foreclose in the US has risen significantly from less than 200 days in 2007 to more than 900 days in 2022! The time to foreclose decreased some at the end of 2022 to less than 900 days, but increased again in 2023 to 950 days!

The chart below is provided by Attom Data.

States with the longest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q1 2023 were Louisiana (2,770 days); Hawaii (2,486 days); New York (1,963 days); Kentucky (1,881 days); and New Jersey (1,697 days).

States with the shortest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in Q1 2023 were Wyoming (111 days); Minnesota (141 days); Montana (143 days); Texas (146 days); and Arkansas (157 days).

While many of these states allow a lender to foreclose much faster, in reality, this is how long it is taking. As you can see from the chart covid is not what caused this massive increase in time foreclose since the massive increase occurred before covid.

Will foreclosures cause a housing crash?

Foreclosures were a huge reason for the last housing crash but as you can see the time to foreclosure is extremely long and even if there was a rush of foreclosures, it would take 2 years on average for the foreclosure process to be completed. As far as the number of foreclosures now, there are still much fewer starts and completions than before the pandemic. That previous link to Attom Data provides many of those numbers as well.

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Source: investfourmore.com

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On average, it costs $23,890 a year to attend an out-of-state school versus $9,410 for an in-state school. That’s $14,480 more per year you could pay — just to attend a college in a different state than where you grew up.

Source: Giphy.com

Over four years, you could end up paying $60,000 more than someone who attends school in-state. So, what are some ways you can lower the cost of out-of-state tuition? Here are seven of our biggest tips.

What’s Ahead:

1. Research Regional Reciprocity Programs

Many schools have “regional reciprocity agreements” or “tuition exchange programs” that let you attend certain out-of-state colleges for in-state rates.

For instance, 18 colleges in Georgia offer in-state tuition to residents of border states. This includes Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

On a much broader scale, several states have banded together to create regional reciprocity programs that give you reduced out-of-state tuition at hundreds of public and private schools.

The four biggest regional reciprocity programs include:

  • Midwest Student Exchange — Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
  • The New England Regional Student Program — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
  • Academic Common Market — Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  • Western Undergraduate Exchange — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Some schools will offer in-state tuition to any student in a neighboring state, while others may require you to meet certain criteria — such as having a specific high school GPA or declaring a certain major.

MU30 Tip: Already have a few colleges in mind? Look on their websites or contact financial aid to see if they have any tuition exchange or reciprocity programs in place.

2. See If You Qualify for a Tuition Waiver

In some cases, you may be able to get a tuition waiver that allows you to attend an out-of-state college at a reduced rate. Tuition waivers are usually granted to students with special circumstances:

  • You (or someone in your immediate family) is a veteran or active duty military member.
  • You were valedictorian or a high achiever.
  • You’re enrolled in a special degree program, such as STEM or health care.
  • You work for the school you wish to attend.
  • You were or are a part of the foster care system.
  • You’re a nontraditional student.
  • You’re of Native American heritage.
  • You have a financial hardship.

To see if you qualify, search for the phrase “tuition waiver” on your favorite schools’ websites. This should pull up a list of all the tuition waivers currently available. (For example, I found 13 waivers on the University of Washington’s website.)

3. Apply for Out-of-State Scholarships

There are several scholarships specifically for students who are attending college out-of-state. These scholarships can help you cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses.

To find out-of-state scholarships, start by checking with your college’s financial aid office. There’s a good chance the school has scholarships earmarked for nonresidents.

From there, do a scholarship search using a tool like the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb. You may find some private scholarships to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Read more: Scholarships and Grants: How To Score Free Money for College

MU30 Tip: Does your parent or guardian work in higher education at one of these Tuition Exchange member schools? If so, you can apply for a reciprocal scholarship that lets you attend hundreds of schools in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland at a free or reduced rate!

4. Think About Becoming a Resident Assistant

If you’re planning on attending college out-of-state, one way to lower your costs is to become a resident assistant (RA). RAs typically receive free or reduced-cost housing in exchange for their duties, which can include things like leading tours and organizing social events.

So while you may not get a tuition discount, it could help you save on housing while you’re there.

To become an RA, start by talking to your college’s housing office. They should be able to tell you about any open RA positions and their requirements. You may also need to fill out an application and go through an interview process.

5. Negotiate Out-of-State Tuition With the Financial Aid Office

It’s not widely advertised, but you can technically negotiate the cost of tuition and fees with the financial aid office. In fact, doing so could save you anywhere from 5% to 15%. On a four-year degree that costs $60,000, that’s a savings of $3,000 to $9,000.

Beyond negotiating, the financial aid office is also a way to find out what types of aid are available to you as an out-of-state student.

Read more:

6. Become an In-State Resident

This tip may seem a little far-fetched, but hear me out. If you’re taking a gap year, for instance, and have time to establish residency in the state where you want to attend college, it could be worth it.

Every state has different requirements for residency, but you’ll typically need to live there for at least a year before you can apply for in-state status.

Start by researching the requirements for the state you want to move to, then get working on completing them. This could include getting a job or an apartment in the state, getting a driver’s license, and more.

7. Look for Schools With Lower Out-of-State Tuition Rates

If all else fails and there’s no way for you to get reduced out-of-state tuition, another option is to simply look for schools that charge lower rates for out-of-state students.

MU30 Tip: Want to see which colleges have the lowest tuition rates? Check out this affordability calculator from the U.S. Department of Education.

Once you have out-of-state tuition rates for different colleges, you can start to compare your options and make a decision about which school is the best fit for you.

Read more: Not Enough Financial Aid? Here are 10 Ways To Pay for College

Bottom Line

Out-of-state tuition can be costly, but there are ways to minimize costs without racking up a ton of student loan debt. Use these tips to see how much you can save.

Featured image: Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com

Read more:

Source: moneyunder30.com

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On average, it costs $23,890 a year to attend an out-of-state school versus $9,410 for an in-state school. That’s $14,480 more per year you could pay — just to attend a college in a different state than where you grew up.

Source: Giphy.com

Over four years, you could end up paying $60,000 more than someone who attends school in-state. So, what are some ways you can lower the cost of out-of-state tuition? Here are seven of our biggest tips.

What’s Ahead:

1. Research Regional Reciprocity Programs

Many schools have “regional reciprocity agreements” or “tuition exchange programs” that let you attend certain out-of-state colleges for in-state rates.

For instance, 18 colleges in Georgia offer in-state tuition to residents of border states. This includes Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

On a much broader scale, several states have banded together to create regional reciprocity programs that give you reduced out-of-state tuition at hundreds of public and private schools.

The four biggest regional reciprocity programs include:

  • Midwest Student Exchange — Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
  • The New England Regional Student Program — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
  • Academic Common Market — Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  • Western Undergraduate Exchange — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Some schools will offer in-state tuition to any student in a neighboring state, while others may require you to meet certain criteria — such as having a specific high school GPA or declaring a certain major.

MU30 Tip: Already have a few colleges in mind? Look on their websites or contact financial aid to see if they have any tuition exchange or reciprocity programs in place.

2. See If You Qualify for a Tuition Waiver

In some cases, you may be able to get a tuition waiver that allows you to attend an out-of-state college at a reduced rate. Tuition waivers are usually granted to students with special circumstances:

  • You (or someone in your immediate family) is a veteran or active duty military member.
  • You were valedictorian or a high achiever.
  • You’re enrolled in a special degree program, such as STEM or health care.
  • You work for the school you wish to attend.
  • You were or are a part of the foster care system.
  • You’re a nontraditional student.
  • You’re of Native American heritage.
  • You have a financial hardship.

To see if you qualify, search for the phrase “tuition waiver” on your favorite schools’ websites. This should pull up a list of all the tuition waivers currently available. (For example, I found 13 waivers on the University of Washington’s website.)

3. Apply for Out-of-State Scholarships

There are several scholarships specifically for students who are attending college out-of-state. These scholarships can help you cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses.

To find out-of-state scholarships, start by checking with your college’s financial aid office. There’s a good chance the school has scholarships earmarked for nonresidents.

From there, do a scholarship search using a tool like the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb. You may find some private scholarships to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Read more: Scholarships and Grants: How To Score Free Money for College

MU30 Tip: Does your parent or guardian work in higher education at one of these Tuition Exchange member schools? If so, you can apply for a reciprocal scholarship that lets you attend hundreds of schools in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland at a free or reduced rate!

4. Think About Becoming a Resident Assistant

If you’re planning on attending college out-of-state, one way to lower your costs is to become a resident assistant (RA). RAs typically receive free or reduced-cost housing in exchange for their duties, which can include things like leading tours and organizing social events.

So while you may not get a tuition discount, it could help you save on housing while you’re there.

To become an RA, start by talking to your college’s housing office. They should be able to tell you about any open RA positions and their requirements. You may also need to fill out an application and go through an interview process.

5. Negotiate Out-of-State Tuition With the Financial Aid Office

It’s not widely advertised, but you can technically negotiate the cost of tuition and fees with the financial aid office. In fact, doing so could save you anywhere from 5% to 15%. On a four-year degree that costs $60,000, that’s a savings of $3,000 to $9,000.

Beyond negotiating, the financial aid office is also a way to find out what types of aid are available to you as an out-of-state student.

Read more:

6. Become an In-State Resident

This tip may seem a little far-fetched, but hear me out. If you’re taking a gap year, for instance, and have time to establish residency in the state where you want to attend college, it could be worth it.

Every state has different requirements for residency, but you’ll typically need to live there for at least a year before you can apply for in-state status.

Start by researching the requirements for the state you want to move to, then get working on completing them. This could include getting a job or an apartment in the state, getting a driver’s license, and more.

7. Look for Schools With Lower Out-of-State Tuition Rates

If all else fails and there’s no way for you to get reduced out-of-state tuition, another option is to simply look for schools that charge lower rates for out-of-state students.

MU30 Tip: Want to see which colleges have the lowest tuition rates? Check out this affordability calculator from the U.S. Department of Education.

Once you have out-of-state tuition rates for different colleges, you can start to compare your options and make a decision about which school is the best fit for you.

Read more: Not Enough Financial Aid? Here are 10 Ways To Pay for College

Bottom Line

Out-of-state tuition can be costly, but there are ways to minimize costs without racking up a ton of student loan debt. Use these tips to see how much you can save.

Featured image: Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com

Read more:

Source: moneyunder30.com

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We’re living longer than ever before, and doing so in better health. So what can you do when you retire and want to keep your mind sharp or need to gain additional skills to stay competitive at work?

For many, the answer is to go back to school. But tuition can be prohibitively expensive.

At the same time, schools want their classrooms to be full of engaged students, regardless of age. In the interest of continuing education, many colleges and universities offer reduced or free college for seniors (typically, adults 60 and up, although the rules vary).

In fact, we found at least one option in every state.

Free (or Cheap) College for Seniors in Every State

While some institutions only allow senior students to audit classes, many offer the chance to earn credits toward a degree at a reduced — or completely waived — tuition rate.

Does your state have a senior citizen education program you can use? Find out below!

1. Alabama

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education states that Alabama seniors can attend any two-year institution within the state tuition-free.

Adults 60 and older should contact the financial aid office at any community college for admission and eligibility details.

Some Alabama schools, like Coastal Alabama Community College, offer online courses if you want to avoid in-person classes.

2. Alaska

The University of Alaska waives tuition for senior-citizen residents who receive full Social Security benefits. Seniors must wait until the first day of classes to enroll to ensure that there’s space remaining; they must also complete a tuition-waiver form.

Additional costs such as student activity, health center and lab fees are not covered; the student must pay them directly.

Online courses may be included if offered; check with the admissions office for confirmation.

3. Arizona

All 10 campuses of Maricopa Community College allow senior citizens to take classes for credit at 50% of the full tuition cost.

Students 65 and older must register between the first and second class sessions of the semester to ensure space is available. You can register for in-person, online or hybrid classes.

4. Arkansas

Arkansas waives tuition for anyone 60 and over who wants to work toward an undergraduate or graduate degree at state institutions.

Student fees may apply, and senior citizens may register only for classes with space available. If you need online courses, check with your chosen college to see what options you have.

5. California

California State University waives all tuition for state-supported classes and dramatically reduces campus fees for residents age 60 or older.

Different Cal State locations may offer online courses or in-person classes. Students who attend in-person classes must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

6. Colorado

Students age 55 and older may attend class on a space-available basis at Colorado State University. There is no tuition fee, but visitors don’t get credit for attending class. It is up to the instructor how participation and grading of assignments and tests are handled. CSU currently offers face to face, hybrid and online classes.

At the University of Colorado Denver, people 60 and older may enroll on a no-credit basis to attend up to two classes per semester as auditors when space is available. (Courses with a lab component are excluded, as are computer courses and online courses.)

7. Connecticut

Residents 62 and up may attend state colleges, including community colleges, for free on a space-available basis.

At Central Connecticut State University, for example, tuition is waived for any resident over the age of 62 who applies for full- or part-time admission for a degree-granting program. Online courses are included.

Senior students may also take noncredit courses on a space-available basis and have tuition waived. All students must still pay all other fees.

8. Delaware

The University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical and Community College allow all permanent state residents age 60 or older to audit or take classes for credit for free.

At the University of Delaware, students wishing to use the program must apply for admission on a space-available basis. Some graduate degrees may be eligible, as well. Residents can register for online or in-person courses.

Participants must pay all related student fees and buy their own textbooks.

9. District of Columbia

Senior citizens 65 and up may audit undergraduate courses from Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies. These students pay a fee of $32 per credit, which means a three-credit course will cost $96.

To audit a course, there must be available space and the instructor of record must approve the enrollment.

A man reads a magazine with his dog in front of him outside at a table.
Getty Images

10. Florida

The Florida college system waives application, tuition and student fees for those age 60 and above, but colleges will award no credit and will grant admission on a space-available basis. Check to see whether your chosen college covers online courses as well as in-person ones.

Fun fact: Florida Atlantic University’s Lifelong Learning Society has the largest adult continuing education program in the U.S. It even has its own auditorium on campus to help serve FAU’s 30,000 new registrants each year.

11. Georgia

Georgia residents age 62 and above may take classes on a space-available basis for “little or no cost” at the state’s public colleges.

Seniors may choose to take classes for credit or continuing education, but they must apply through the regular admissions process at their school of choice. Many general education courses are offered online.

12. Hawaii

The Senior Citizen Visitor Program at the University of Hawaii and state community colleges allows senior residents age 60 and up to attend up to two courses per semester free of charge. Seniors who have been residents of Hawaii for at least one year may enroll in in-person, hybrid or online courses for no cost. It’s recommended but not required for students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students must demonstrate tuberculosis (TB) clearance by providing test results or a TB risk assessment form signed by a licensed U.S. health care provider.

Schools will not award credit nor will they keep permanent records of students’ class history.

13. Idaho

Programs in Idaho vary based on institution, but some schools offer good deals. The College of Southern Idaho offers free tuition for lower division courses for students aged 60 and older, in addition to other benefits. The college has online and in-person courses.

At Boise State University, Idaho residents who are at least 65 years old can audit classes on a space-available basis for free except for applicable special course fees. BSU offers online courses as well as in-person ones.

14. Illinois

Upon admission, senior citizens age 65 and up who meet income requirements can attend regular credit courses at Illinois public institutions for free. Lab, student and other fees still apply. Each institution will have guidance on registering for online or in-person classes.

15. Indiana

Indiana University offers programs that allow retired residents age 60 and older to take up to nine credit hours per semester and pay just 50% of in-state tuition fees. Courses are in person.

16. Iowa

Private institution Simpson College in Indianola allows people 65 and older to take one noncredit class for free per semester. Courses are open on a space-available basis and do not include lab courses. Online courses may be available.

17. Kansas

Tuition and fees are waived for students age 65 and older taking classes on a space-available basis. Residents must be admitted to a state-supported school to take advantage of this discount. Each school can also provide info on in-person versus online courses.

The registration process varies: The University of Kansas and Wichita State University, for example, require senior auditors to apply for admission. Online or in-person courses may be offered.

18. Kentucky

Tuition and fees are waived for students age 65 and older taking classes on a space-available basis. Residents must be admitted to a state-supported school to take advantage of this discount. Each school can also provide info on in-person versus online courses.

19. Louisiana

Students age 65 and up attending Louisiana state schools receive free tuition and 50% off books and materials at the campus student bookstore. Check with each school to see if online courses are included.

A grandfather and grandson react while reading a book on a couch.
Getty Images

20. Maine

Senior citizens 65 and up may attend undergraduate classes as degree-seeking or audit students in the University of Maine System for free, subject to space availability.

Each college within the system can provide info on the types of courses covered (i.e., online, in-person, hybrid).

21. Maryland

Any student in the University of Maryland System who is retired and over the age of 60 may have tuition waived for up to three courses per semester, even for degree-granting programs. Online courses are available as well as face-to-face offerings.

Online courses are available as well as face-to-face offerings.

22. Massachusetts

Residents age 60 or older can take at least three credits per semester at any state-supported school in Massachusetts and receive free tuition.

Each location has information on what online courses are offered.

23. Michigan

Opportunities for seniors in Michigan vary by institution.

At Michigan Tech, for example, students 60 and older can have tuition waived for up to two courses per semester. Seniors must apply through the admissions office.

Western Michigan University invites seniors 62 and older to register for one class per semester tuition-free, which may include online classes.

At Wayne State University in Detroit, seniors 60 and up receive a 75% discount on tuition but must pay registration and related fees. Wayne State offers some online courses.

24. Minnesota

Minnesota waives tuition for senior citizens 62 and older, but fees and online options may vary by school. At the University of Minnesota, seniors pay a $10 fee per credit, but they can audit for free.

25. Mississippi

There’s no statewide benefit in Mississippi, but some schools have programs for seniors. 

Mississippi State University provides a waiver to residents age 60 or older for classes offered on the Starkville or Meridian campuses or by the Center for Distance Education. Seniors are limited to six semester hours per semester and a maximum of 18 credit hours per calendar year, where space is available. MSU offers online courses as well as traditional in-person ones.

The University of Mississippi’s Office of Professional Development and Lifelong Learning allows seniors 65 and older to take one class for free per semester (up to four hours) at any UM campus.

26. Missouri

Missouri residents age 65 and older are exempt from paying tuition at state-supported institutions for classes attended on a noncredit basis. Schools may limit the number of students who receive the tuition benefit based on space availability. Online classes are offered in addition to in-person ones.

27. Montana

The Montana University System offers a tuition waiver for in-state residents 65 or older. Campus and registration fees are not waived. Choose from online or in-person classes.

28. Nebraska

Chadron State College allows adults 65 and up to audit one course per semester for free. The college offers classes online and on campus.

29. Nevada

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas allows seniors 62 and up to take autumn and spring courses free of charge. They pay 50% tuition for summer classes. Lab and other course fees are not covered. Online courses may be offered.

A man looks at a book in the library with his two grandchildren.
Getty Images

30. New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire offers residents 65 and older free tuition for two credit-bearing classes per academic year on a space-available basis, so long as they’re not enrolled in a degree program. Courses are offered online or in person.

31. New Jersey

Rutgers University allows retired New Jersey residents 62 and older to audit courses for free in the spring and fall semesters at its Camden, New Brunswick and Newark campuses, space permitting. Current guidelines allow senior citizens to audit in-person or online classes if they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

32. New Mexico

New Mexico offers reduced tuition of just $5 per credit hour to state residents 65 and older. Online courses are available.

For-credit classes are eligible as well as auditing; senior citizens can take no more than 10 credit hours per semester. The program is offered on a space-available basis, and students are responsible for paying any additional course fees.

33. New York

Many schools offer free or reduced tuition for senior citizens. Queens College allows residents 60 and up to audit any course on a space-available basis after completing a Senior Citizen Auditor Application and paying $80 per semester. Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations are required to enroll.

At SUNY Purchase, New York state residents 60 and older can enroll tuition-free in a maximum of two credit-bearing, on-campus courses in which space is available. They pay a $50 audit fee, $20 ID processing fee and any course fees. In-person, online and hybrid courses are available, and COVID-19 vaccinations are required for anyone coming on campus.

34. North Carolina

Tuition and registration fees are waived for residents 65 or older attending North Carolina community colleges. Senior citizens can take up to six credit hours per semester for free. Audit options may be available at other schools.

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, for example, senior citizens may audit classes for free after getting the instructor’s permission and submitting an application. Lab, studio, performance, distance education, independent study, internship and special topic courses are excluded. Online courses are available for those who prefer them.

35. North Dakota

Programs vary by institution in North Dakota. At Bismarck State, for example, senior citizens 65 and older can audit one course tuition-free per semester on a space-available basis. They’re still responsible for other course fees. Some online courses are available.

36. Ohio

Ohio residents at least 60 years old may attend class at any state college for free. Senior-citizen students do not receive credit and can register only on a space-available basis. They are still responsible for special assessments, such as lab fees, that may apply.

Many Ohio state colleges offer online courses, as well as in-person and hybrid.

37. Oklahoma

Oklahoma state colleges and universities waive tuition and fees for senior citizens 65 and older who wish to audit classes on a space-available basis.

38. Oregon

Oregon State University allows senior citizens at least 65 years old to audit classes for free at a maximum of eight credit hours per semester.

The University of Oregon also waives fees for seniors 65 and older auditing classes on a space-available basis.

Online course options may be offered depending on availability.

39. Pennsylvania

Clarion University offers a tuition waiver for residents 62 and up to audit classes. At Bloomsburg University, you need to be only 60 to take tuition-free classes on a space-available basis.

There can be additional benefits at the community college level: Bucks County Community College, for example, waives for-credit course tuition for seniors 65 and up so long as they register after students who are paying full tuition. Many courses are offered online, though some in-person and hybrid options are available.

A senior citizen walks to class.
Getty Images

40. Rhode Island

Tuition waivers can be requested from citizens over 60 at the Community College of Rhode Island. Seats are granted when there is space available.

All degree-seeking senior students must fill out a FAFSA. They also have to submit a Senior Citizens Means Test to verify they have limited income.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend in-person classes. There are also online classes.

41. South Carolina

Residents 60 and above can attend classes at state schools on a credit or noncredit basis, pending space available, for free. The school must grant admission via its normal procedures.

Technology, lab and other fees are the responsibility of the student. Many South Carolina community colleges offer online courses for those interested.

42. South Dakota

Residents 65 and older can attend public universities in South Dakota at 55% of the normal cost of tuition for undergraduate or graduate in-person courses on a main university campus.

Interested adults should apply through the regular admissions system, and the school will automatically grant the discount upon admission. Student fees are not waived.

Contact your chosen university to see whether online courses are offered.

43. Tennessee

The University of Tennessee allows senior citizens to enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses for $7 per credit hour with a maximum fee of $70.

Students will still pay application and course fees. Senior citizens can choose between online courses and in-person ones.

44. Texas

A senior citizen age 65 or older can take up to six tuition-free credit hours at the University of Texas at Austin.

At the University of Texas at Dallas and Lone Star College, undergrad students 65 and older must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to receive a tuition waiver for up to six credit hours per semester.

Check with each individual university to see which online and in-person classes are available for enrollment.

45. Utah

Utah residents age 62 and up may enroll tuition-free at a state institution, space permitting; a quarterly registration fee is required.

At the University of Utah, for example, seniors can audit most classes on a space-available basis and only have to pay a fee of $25 per semester, plus any special fees required. Call to see whether online classes are included.

46. Vermont

Vermonters over the age of 65 can audit one class per semester tuition-free on a space-available basis in the Vermont State College System. Students can take additional classes at a 50% discount of the tuition rate, either in person or online.

They’ll still have to pay administration and course fees for all classes.

47. Virginia

Under the amended terms of the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, Virginia residents over 60 years old who earn a taxable income of less than $23,850 annually can audit up to three courses per term for free on a space-available basis at any public institution, either in person or online.

48. Washington

Institutions in Washington are required to partially or fully waive tuition fees for residents age 60 or older who are enrolled for credit on a space-available basis. Nominal fees may apply to students auditing courses.

Some schools limit senior citizens to a certain number of classes or credits; for example, Washington State University caps the waiver at six credits for the fall and spring semesters. Online programs are available.

49. West Virginia

Senior citizens 65 and older at West Virginia University seeking college credit must use the regular admissions form. Those wishing to be non-degree students pay just $5 to apply. WVU offers classes online or in person.

50. Wisconsin

Adults 60 and up may audit classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus or at UW-Madison Online for free, where space is available.

51. Wyoming

At Laramie County Community College, senior citizens 60 and older pay only 20% of the resident tuition rate  per credit hour, though they still need to pay any other course or online fees.

Northwest College offers adults 60 and older free tuition up to six credit hours per semester for on-site and online courses, as well as free entry to most college social, cultural and athletic events.

Another Continuing Education Option

More than 100 colleges and universities around the country offer another continuing education program for senior citizens: enrichment courses through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI).

Prices vary depending upon the institution. Duke University, for example, has a $50 annual membership fee and then charges $50 to $175 per class. Senior citizens can choose to take classes online or in person.

OLLI classes don’t count toward a degree, but if you’re looking for personal development opportunities among older adults, these courses can provide opportunities that mix in the campus experience, too.

Contributor Catherine Hiles updated this post for 2023.

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Source: thepennyhoarder.com

Apache is functioning normally

When it comes to living in Little Rock, residents are not only treated to a vibrant city full of history and charm, but also an impressive culinary scene that caters to diverse tastes. 

Whether you’re searching for apartments in Little Rock or considering a house in the city, one thing is for certain: you’ll never be far from a tasty meal. In this Redfin article, we’ll take you on a culinary tour of the city, highlighting some of the mouthwatering restaurants in Little Rock that will quickly become your new favorites.

little rock skyline at night

1. Cotham’s in the City

Cotham’s in the City is a timeless treasure that has been serving up delicious comfort food since 1917. With a rich history and a menu filled with Southern classics, Cotham’s is a must-visit for food enthusiasts. From their famous Hubcap Burger, a towering masterpiece that lives up to its name, to their lip-smacking catfish and tender chicken-fried steak, every dish at Cotham’s is made with love and attention to detail. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it the perfect spot to enjoy a satisfying meal with family and friends, creating lasting memories that are as comforting as the food itself.

2. Capital Bar & Grill

Nestled in the heart of downtown Little Rock, Capital Bar & Grill is a sophisticated culinary oasis. The moment you step into this upscale establishment, you’re transported to a world of elegance and refined flavors. Their menu showcases a fusion of Southern classics and international influences, with dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. From their mouthwatering braised short ribs to their indulgent seafood platters, every plate at Capital Bar & Grill is a work of art. 

3. Big Whiskey’s

Big Whiskey’s is a vibrant and inviting restaurant that offers a delightful blend of great food and a lively atmosphere. It has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. With an extensive drink selection and a menu that boasts creative and flavorful dishes, Big Whiskey’s has something for everyone. 

From their signature Whiskey Burger, a juicy patty topped with smoky bacon and tangy barbecue sauce, to their perfectly cooked steaks and fresh seafood options, each bite is a celebration of bold flavors and culinary expertise.

bacon cheeseburger

4. The Root Cafe

The Root Cafe is a charming and welcoming eatery that prides itself on serving fresh and locally sourced food. Located in the Quapaw Quarter neighborhood of Little Rock, this farm-to-table gem offers a menu that showcases the best ingredients from local farmers and producers. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a delicious lunch, or a freshly baked pastry, The Root Cafe has you covered.

5. Maddie’s Place

Maddie’s Place is a Louisiana-inspired culinary haven located in the heart of Little Rock. Led by Chef Brian Deloney, this restaurant is dedicated to bringing the vibrant flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine to Arkansas. The menu is filled with Southern comfort food elevated to new heights, from their chicken and andouille gumbo to their truffle parmesan fries. Each dish is carefully crafted using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. 

6. Bruno’s Little Italy

Bruno’s Little Italy is a culinary gem that has been delighting the taste buds of Little Rock since 1949. With a rich history rooted in Italian traditions, this family-owned restaurant serves up authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy and inviting setting. From their hand-tossed pizzas, loaded with fresh toppings and baked to perfection, to their homemade pasta dishes, Bruno’s Little Italy gives food lovers an authentic taste of the country.

pulled pork

7. Whole Hog Cafe

Whole Hog Cafe is a barbecue lover’s paradise that has gained a loyal following in the city. This award-winning establishment takes pride in serving up authentic and flavorful slow-smoked meats that will leave you craving more. From their tender pulled pork to their melt-in-your-mouth ribs, every bite at Whole Hog Cafe is a celebration of barbecue perfection. The menu is filled with a variety of mouthwatering options, including their famous sandwiches and platters.

8. Petit and Keet

Petit and Keet is an upscale dining experience that combines culinary artistry with impeccable service. Located in the Riverdale area of Little Rock, this restaurant offers a refined menu that showcases seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re enjoying beautifully plated appetizers or exquisite entrees, each dish at Petit and Keet is a masterpiece in itself. With its cozy yet elegant atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or indulge in a memorable evening of fine dining.

Source: redfin.com