• Home
  • Small-Business Marketing Statistics and Trends
  • What Is Mobile Banking?
  • How Student Loans Affect Credit Score?
  • Refinancing an Inherited House
  • How to Build a Kitchen?

Hanover Mortgages

The Refined Mortgage Lending Company & Home Loan Lenders

mississippi

Apache is functioning normally

May 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

A credit union is a nonprofit institution that’s owned by its members. Compared to a traditional bank, a credit union tends to offer more personalized service.

You can turn to a credit union for a variety of financial products, like checking and savings accounts, credit cards, car loans, and mortgages. Some regional and federal credit unions also offer wealth management services and other extras.

woman on laptop

A typical credit union only accepts members who live in a specific region or work for an eligible employer. For example, they may require that you’re a resident of Atlanta, Georgia or work as a teacher.

The good news is some credit unions require less and make it easy for just about anyone to join. If you’d like to join a credit union but don’t want to worry about the strict membership requirements at most institutions, you’ve come to the right place.

38 Best Credit Unions Anyone Can Join

There are hundreds of credit unions that anyone can join, but we’ve done the heavy lifting and found the best ones for you. The credit unions below, which are overseen by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) may be an option for you, regardless of what you do for a living or where you’re located.

Just keep in mind that you may have to make a donation, join an organization, live in a certain state, or meet some other eligibility requirement. We encourage you to explore this lengthy to list of credit unions anyone can join so you can hone in on the ideal credit union for your unique situation.

1. Alliant Credit Union

Alliant Credit Union made its debut in 1935 to serve the employees of United Airlines. It stands out for it high-interest savings and checking accounts with low minimum opening deposits as well as excellent customer service.

You’ll also receive access to more than 80,000 free ATMs across the U.S. and get reimbursed up to $20 in out-of-network ATM charges per month. Since it only has two brick-and-mortar locations, you should feel comfortable with online banking. If you’d like to join Alliant Credit Union, make a $5 donation to Foster Care to Success.

2. Connexus Credit Union

Connexus Credit Union was founded in 1935 and has a widespread presence in Wisconsin as well as more than 54,000 ATMs across the country. It couldn’t be easier to join the credit union as all you have to do is pay a one-time $5 fee to the Connexus Association, which supports financial education through college scholarships.

As a member, you can open one of its three checking options with high APYs and a traditional savings account or one that’s specifically designed for the holidays.

3. Pentagon Federal Credit Union

Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed, was founded in 1935 as a credit union for military and civilian government. Today, this Virginia-based credit union has opened it doors to anyone as long as they open a savings account and deposit a minimum of $5. It offers two savings accounts, including the Regular Savings and Premium Online Savings.

In addition, you can find checking accounts, CDs, and money market accounts. Other products include Coverdell Education Savings Certificates, IRAs, credit cards, mortgages, home equity loans, and student loans. Plus, you can enjoy modern perks like mobile check deposits, online bill pay, and instant transfers.

4. First Tech Federal Credit Union

First Tech Federal Credit Union is headquartered in California. The credit union offers many benefits, such as excellent customer service, many branches throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, online banking, and mobile banking.

It also has the Dividend Rewards Checking Account, which gives you 1.00% APY on balances below $1,000. You don’t have to live in California to join as long as you donate to a nonprofit called the Financial Fitness Association.

5. Consumers Credit Union

Consumers Credit Union was established in 1951 as a local credit union. Based in Illinois, it’s one of the largest credit unions in the state with over 100,000 members and more than $1.2 billion in assets.

You can join it, even if you don’t live in Illinois. All you have to do is donate the $5 membership free to an affiliated nonprofit. You can open almost all of its accounts online, except for the checking accounts and IRAs. The credit union also offers a high-yield checking account that offers high interest if you meet certain criteria.

6. Langley Federal Credit Union

Langley Federal Credit Union is based in Virginia and made its inception in 1936. At that time, members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the predecessor to NASA, chartered the credit union.

Today, Langley offers membership to anyone who pays a fee to support an important cause in Virginia and deposits at least $5 into a savings account. You can choose from a checking account without a monthly fee, a variety of no-fee savings accounts with competitive interest compounds monthly, and Visa Cards with cash back rewards.

7. Lake Michigan Credit Union

Lake Michigan Credit Union made its debut in 1933 by a group of teachers. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it has 51 branches in Michigan and southwest Florida. Since it’s part of the Allpoint ATM network, members can enjoy free access to more than 55,000 free ATM.

To join, donate $5 to the ALS Foundation and deposit $5 into a Member Savings account. Once you do, you can earn perks through the MORE rewards program and redeem them for complimentary checks and free out-of-network ATM transactions.

You may also open the free, no frills Max Checking account. Note that the Member Savings account, which you must open to become a member, requires a minimum daily balance of $300 or you’ll be charged a $5 monthly fee.

8. Lafayette Federal Credit Union

Lafayette Federal Credit Union was founded in 1935 as an alternative to traditional banks. It offers numerous perks, like no minimum balance requirement or monthly maintenance fees, online banking, mobile deposits, free direct deposit, and special discounts.

You can join it if you live, work, worship, or attend school in Washington D.C. If you live outside the D.C. area, you may still become a member as long as you invest in a lifetime Home Ownership Financial Literacy Council (HOFLC) membership for only $10. This nonprofit focuses on helping consumers navigate the path to homeownership.

9. Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union has 26 branch locations across Minnesota. APFCU offers MyPlus Rewards that gives you points if you keep a certain amount of money in your bank account or use its debit or credit card.

To be eligible to join, all you have to do is donate $25 to the Affinity Plus Foundation and open a basic savings account. If you live and work in Minnesota or have a family member in the state, there are other ways to become a member.

10. Chevron Credit Union

Chevron Credit Union has been around since 1935 and has 19 branches that span six states, including California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Utah and Virginia. It operates under two brands: Chevron Federal Credit Union and Spectrum Credit Union.

To become a member, join one of its nonprofit partner organizations, such as the Contra Costa County Historical Society. You’ll also need to deposit $25 into a primary savings account and maintain a $25 minimum balance.

Chevron also offers a second chance checking account called New Solutions for those who need help rebuilding their banking history.

11. Ascend Credit Union

Since its inception in 1951, Ascend Credit Union has offered a variety of products, like checking and savings accounts, a money market account, Christmas Club account, youth accounts, credit cards, and loans.

If you’re interested in these services, join The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Chapter and you’ll be eligible automatically. Note that there is a one-time fee of $25.

12. Hope Credit Union

Hope Credit Union is a black-owned credit union that was organized in 1995 by the Anderson United Methodist Church in Mississippi. You can join if you pay a $10 membership fee and show a foreign passport, permanent resident card, or Matricula Consular. Plus, you may use an ITIN number instead of a Social Security number.

Hope Credit Union provides a number of personal bank accounts, business banking accounts, and transformational deposits. With its transformational deposits, you can participate in socially responsible investing.

13. Boeing Employees Credit Union

Boeing Employees Credit Union, or BECU, was established in 1935 for Boeing employees and currently caters to more than 1 million members. But despite its name, you don’t have to work at Boeing to join.

Its products and services are available to you if you become a member or donor to the KEXP, which is a nonprofit art organization or the Sea Hawkers Central Council. The most noteworthy benefit of joining is the first-time homebuyer grant in which you can receive $7,500 toward your down payment and closing costs.

14. Hiway Credit Union

Hiway Credit Union made its debut in 1931 to serve employees of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It offers a free checking account with no monthly fee or minimum balance requirements, a free money market account with a $500 minimum deposit, credit cards, and loans.

You can qualify for a Hiway Federal Credit Union membership if you donate to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation for $10 per year or the Association of the U.S. Army, which costs $40 for two years.

15. GreenState Credit Union

GreenState Credit Union was founded in 1938. It provides its members with personal accounts, business accounts, credit cards, loans insurance, wealth management services, and more.

GreenState was named one of the fastest growing credit unions in 2021. As long as you live or work in the state of Iowa, you can become a member and take advantage of its services without any issues.

16. Cascade Credit Union

Cascade Credit Union made its debut in 1952 to serve employees of the Cascade Division of the Great Northern Railway. Today, it’s open to many people and offers great perks like members-only sweepstakes, competitive rates, online banking tools, financial counseling, and group insurance benefits.

If you’d like to join, simply become a member of the Great Northern & Cascade Railway Association (GNCR) and pay an annual membership cost of $40. The credit union can help you fill out your application online or in-person at a local branch.

17. Wildfire Credit Union

Wildfire Credit Union began in 1937 as Saginaw Telephone Employees Credit Union, its original credit union name. Its first location was in the basement of the home of Hank Kosk, the credit union’s treasurer.

After some office upgrades, the credit union opened the doors to its current location on Bay Road in Saginaw and merged with Flint Telephone Employees Credit Union that same year. Today, Wildfire Credit Union offers several deposit accounts as well as personal banking and business banking services. You can join if you live, work, worship, or attend school in Michigan.

18. Nextmark Credit Union

Nextmark Credit Union made its debut in 1958. Its offerings include personal and business checking, home equity loans, personal loans, credit cards, gift cards, and more.

To join, you must live in a qualifying county in Virginia or make a donation to Herndon Elementary PTA, a Title I school.

19. Technology Credit Union

Technology Credit Union, or Tech CU, was established in 1960. It’s based in Silicon Valley and provides its members with no shortage of benefits. These include competitive rates, online banking, access to fee-free ATMs, free credit score monitoring, conference room space, and easy online appointment booking. To become a member, join Financial Fitness Association for only $8.

20. Veridian Credit Union

Veridian Credit Union was established in 1934. Most of its members are those who live or work in Iowa or certain counties of Nebraska. However, it’s open to anyone who is a registered user of Dwolla, a financial technology company. This means you can join as long as you sign up for a personal account at Dwolla.

You’ll also need to open a savings account and deposit at least $5. If you’re already a member of a credit union or bank but would like to switch to Veridian Credit Union, the switch kit may be helpful.

21. Harborstone Credit Union

Harborstone Credit Union’s roots date back to 1955, when it was known as McChord Federal Credit Union and served airmen on the McChord Air Force Base. In 1996, the credit union expanded its membership to anyone in the state of Washington and changed its name as a result.

As long as you live, work, or worship in Washington, you may join Harborstone Credit Union and enjoy a variety of financial products and digital tools.

22. NASA Federal Credit Union

NASA Federal Credit Union began in 1949 to serve NASA employees. Since then, it’s grown to more than 177,000 members. While the credit union is headquartered in Upper Marlboro, Massachusetts, there are 12 branches in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Its product lineup includes a simple checking account with no minimum opening deposit, a savings account with a great rate, and several CDs. You can also monitor your credit score and make deposits with the mobile app. If you don’t work for NASA, you can still join. Simply sign up for a one-year membership at the National Space Society (NSS).

Hanscom Federal Credit Union opened in 1953. The credit union has over 20 branches in and around Boston as well as one in McLean, Virginia.  It offers fee-free checking accounts, savings accounts with rewards, credit cards, and loans.

To join, you’ll need to support one of its partner organizations, such as the Burlington Players, a volunteer theater group. In addition, you’ll be required to deposit $25 into a free primary savings account.

24. Pen Air Federal Credit Union

Pen Air Federal Credit Union was founded in 1936 to support civil service employees of Naval Air Station Pensacola. It has 16 locations in northwest Florida and southeast Alabama. You may be surprised to learn that you don’t have to be an active duty or retired military member to join.

You’ll be able to take advantage of Pen Air Federal Credit Union if you become a member of the Friends of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and deposit a minimum of $25 into a savings account. As a member, you can enjoy the Pen Air Platinum Mastercard, Share Savings account with the Round It program, and more.

25. State Department Federal Credit Union

State Department Federal Credit Union was founded in 1935. To join, you can become a member of the American Consumer Council for $8. This is a non-profit organization with a focus on consumer education and financial literacy.

The State Department Credit Union offers a long list of products and services, including basic, advantage, and privilege checking, a money market account, share certificate accounts, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), credit cards, and loans.

26. United Nations Federal Credit Union

United Nations Credit Union made its debut in 1947. As long as you join the United Nations Association of the United States of America, you can become a member.

UNFCU has a vast product lineup that includes a checking account, membership savings account, credit cards, debit cards, and loans, like car loans and debt consolidation loans.

Other membership perks include loyalty rewards, credit card rewards, and the member referral program.

27. Premier Members Credit Union

Premier Members Credit Union was established in 1959 for members of the Boulder Valley School District. You’re eligible to join if you make a donation to Impact on Education, a charity in the Boulder Valley School District, and open an online savings account or youth savings account.

As a member, you can expect perks, such as high interest rates on checking accounts, no monthly service fee, no overdraft fees, and free overdraft protection. The credit union also offers an extensive network of branches and ATMs for your convenience.

28. SRI Federal Credit Union

SRI Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. It was founded in 1957 and offers membership to anyone who joins the Financial Fitness Association for $8 per year.

The credit union’s account offerings include a checking and savings account, money market account, IRA, health savings account, and youth, teen, and gradate accounts.

29. United States Senate Federal Credit Union

United States Senate Federal Credit Union has been around since 1935. Its mission is to “improve the financial wellness of members throughout all stages and circumstances of life.” Its products are similar to what most credit unions offer.

As a member, you can enjoy access to a number of checking and credit union savings accounts, mortgage loans, personal loans, auto loans, Visa debit cards, and business advisory services. To join, you’ll need to become a member of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society for $65.

30. Wings Financial Credit Union

Wings Financial Credit Union was founded in 1938 by seven employees from Northwest Airlines. To date, it serves more than 320,000 members with more than $7.5 billion in assets. You can join if you donate $5 to the Wings Financial Foundation, even if you don’t work in the aviation industry.

There are no fees on its basic banking accounts, including its checking and savings accounts, a money market account, and CDs. Its high yield savings and checking accounts offer competitive rates to help you grow your money.

31. Skyward Credit Union

Skyward Credit Union was chartered in 1941. It offers a share savings account with competitive rates, an aim higher checking account with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, affordable mortgage and home equity loans.

It also offers online banking, a variety of insurance products, and access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Like most credit unions require membership, so does this one. To become a member, join the Kansas Aviation Museum.

32. San Diego County Credit Union

San Diego County Credit Union has been around since 1938 and has over 430,000 credit union members. It’s considered the largest locally owned financial intuition in San Diego.

As a member, you can enjoy a free checking account, secured and unsecured credit cards, a wide range of account options with no service fees, and access to over 30,000 ATMs without ATM fees. To join San Diego County Credit Union, become a member of the Financial Fitness Association.

33. Bellco Credit Union

Bellco Credit Union is a Denver-based credit union that opened its doors in 1936. You can join it even if you don’t live in Colorado as long as you donate at least $10 to the Bellco Foundation, pay a one-time $5 membership fee, and deposit at least $25 in a savings account.

Once you do, you’ll have access to several noteworthy products, like the Boost Interest Checking account, which offers a competitive interest rate, the Premier Money Market Account, and two, no-fee credit cards.

34. Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Bethpage Federal Credit Union was founded in 1941 and currently has over 30 branches across Long Island and New York City. It has a reputation for competitive rates on it money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs).

The credit union also offers three checking accounts, a few savings accounts, retirement planning services, IRAs, insurance, and more. You don’t have to live in New York to join if you open a $5 savings account. As a member, you may meet with credit union staff virtually and bank on the go with a handy mobile app.

35. First South Financial Credit Union

First South Financial Credit Union opened its doors in 1957 to serve those on the Millington base. Since then, it has become of the safest financial institutions in the U.S., as stated by independent rating agencies. While the credit union has locations throughout Tennessee and Mississippi, its online banking services make it a suitable option if you live elsewhere.

Like other credit unions, it offers a full suite of checking, savings, CDs, and IRA accounts. To join, become a member of the Courage Thru Cancer Association, which supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

36. Dow Credit Union

Dow Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Midland, Michigan. It provides numerous products, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), HSAs, deposit trust accounts, and loans.

Fortunately, you don’t have to work at Dow Chemical to take advantage of them. To join, make a $10 donation to the Dow Chemical Employees’ Credit Union Endowed Scholarship Fund.

37. Blue Federal Credit Union

Blue Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1951 as Warren Federal Credit Union. If you’re looking for a high-yield checking account, you’ll appreciate its Blue Extreme Checking Account with no minimum opening deposit or monthly service fees.

Other perks include a tiered membership rewards program and round-the-clock customer service. The easiest way to become a member is to donate $5 to the Blue Foundation and open a Membership Share Savings Account with $5.

38. Digital Federal Credit Union

Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU), based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, was established in 1979. Today, it is known for its comprehensive range of financial products that includes checking and savings accounts, auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, and wealth management services.

Perhaps one of DCU’s standout features is its commitment to digital banking, offering robust online and mobile platforms that compete with larger, nationwide banks. This makes DCU a fitting choice for those who prefer online banking, no matter where they live.

Membership is open to those who are a part of participating organizations or live, work, worship, or attend school in eligible communities. If you don’t fit those criteria, you can still join by becoming a member of a participating nonprofit organization, such as Reach Out for Schools, which requires a nominal donation.

See also: Best Nationwide Credit Unions of 2023

Bottom Line

Not all credit unions are created equal. Some have strict membership criteria, while others are more flexible. Before you join a credit union (or several credit unions) on this list, be sure to consider numerous factors.

You’ll want to look at eligibility requirements, branch location, monthly maintenance fees, accounts offered, interest rates, mobile banking, digital banking, reputation, and customer service. Best of luck as you explore the best credit unions and search for the perfect credit union.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can civilians join Navy Federal Credit Union?

Yes, civilians can join the Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), the largest credit union in the U.S. However, this is limited to immediate family members of service members in all branches of the armed forces. This broad eligibility criteria is one of the reasons why NFCU has grown to be the largest credit union in the country.

Can anyone join American Airlines Credit Union?

No, not anyone can join the American Airlines Credit Union. Membership is limited to those who work in the air transportation industry, including airlines, airports, and related businesses, as well as their family members. While this broadens the scope beyond just American Airlines employees, it still doesn’t include everyone.

Source: crediful.com

Posted in: Credit 101 Tagged: 2, 2021, 2023, About, active, Administration, affordable, air, airlines, airports, Alabama, All, alliant, alliant credit union, american airlines, Amount Of Money, app, Appreciate, armed forces, art, assets, atlanta, ATM, Auto, Auto Loans, balance, Bank, bank account, bank accounts, Banking, banks, basement, basic, before, Benefits, best, Best of, Bill Pay, black, blue, boston, brick, business, california, car, car loans, cash back, Cash Back Rewards, CDs, certificates of deposit, chance, charity, Checking Account, Checking Accounts, Children, choice, Christmas, church, city, closing, closing costs, College, Colorado, company, Consumers, Convenience, cost, country, Credit, credit card, credit card rewards, credit cards, credit score, credit union, Credit unions, customer service, debit cards, Debt, debt consolidation, deposit, Deposits, Digital, Direct Deposit, Discounts, dividend, doors, down payment, education, employer, equity, Family, Features, Fees, Financial Education, Financial Literacy, Financial Wellness, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fitness, Florida, foundation, Free, free checking, free credit score, fund, Georgia, gift, Gift Cards, good, government, great, Grow, health, health savings account, helpful, high yield, high yield savings, historical, history, Holidays, home, home equity, Home equity loans, Home Ownership, homebuyer, homeownership, How To, Illinois, impact, in, individual retirement accounts, industry, Insurance, interest, interest rate, interest rates, Invest, Investing, IRA, IRAs, lake, Learn, Life, list, Live, Living, Loans, Local, long island, louisiana, low, luck, maintenance, Make, market, Maryland, Massachusetts, mastercard, member, Membership Rewards, Michigan, military, mississippi, mobile, Mobile App, Mobile Banking, modern, money, money market, Money Market Account, money market accounts, More, Mortgage, mortgage loans, Mortgages, museum, NCUA, nebraska, new, new york, new york city, News, offer, offers, office, Online Banking, Online Bill Pay, Online Savings Account, or, organization, Original, Other, overdraft, overdraft fees, overdraft protection, ownership, park, penfed, Personal, personal banking, Personal Loans, place, Planning, platinum, points, premium, products, protection, questions, rate, Rates, reach, Research, retirement, retirement accounts, Retirement Planning, rewards, rewards checking, Rewards Checking Account, right, room, san diego, savings, Savings Account, Savings Accounts, scholarships, School, school district, schools, search, second, security, shortage, Silicon Valley, simple, social, social security, society, South, southwest, space, states, student, Student Loans, suite, teachers, Tech, Technology, Tennessee, texas, time, title, tools, traditional, traditional banks, Transportation, trust, under, unique, united, united airlines, united states, upgrades, Utah, virginia, visa, volunteer, warren, washington, wealth, wealth management, wellness, wildfire, Wisconsin, work

Apache is functioning normally

May 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

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

Posted in: Loans, Moving Guide, Student Loans Tagged: 2, 2023, 529, 529 college savings plan, 529 Plans, About, action, affordable, african american, aid, All, Applications, Asian, average, bar, before, Benefits, best, borrowers, Children, College, college education, College Savings, college savings plan, Community College, contributions, cost, Credit, credits, Debt, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, education, events, expenses, expensive, fafsa, FAFSA deadline, Family, federal student aid, federal student loans, Fees, financial aid, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Florida, foundation, Free, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, fund, funds, future, futures, gift, goal, good, graduation, Grow, health, Health care, higher education, Hispanic, hours, house, How To, in, Income, investment, Law, lawyers, Legal, Live, loan, Loans, louisiana, Make, market, measure, Medical, military, mississippi, money, More, needs, nerdwallet, offer, office, or, Other, parents, paying for college, plan, plans, Prices, private student loans, Professionals, programs, public colleges, public schools, Purchase, Rates, relocating, repayment, Review, RON, save, savings, savings plan, scholarships, School, schools, Secondary, South, South Carolina, states, statistics, student, student loan, student loan forgiveness, Student Loan Repayment, Student Loans, students, tax, tax credits, teachers, Tennessee, time, tools, tuition, under, veterans, virginia, volunteer, will, work, workers, working

Apache is functioning normally

May 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Calling all Civil War buffs and travel bucket-listers: If you’ve ever wanted to explore the war between the North and the South in great detail or check a bunch of states off your list in one trip, American Cruise Lines has a cruise for you. It’s a monthlong sailing to nearly all the major battlefields across 12 states and the District of Columbia.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

On May 4, 2024, passengers will set sail from New Orleans on the line’s Civil War Battlefields Cruise, a 34-day sailing that winds along the Mississippi, Tennessee and Potomac rivers; the Intracoastal Waterway; and the Chesapeake Bay.

Along the way, the itinerary includes calls on destinations in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., before ending on June 6, 2024, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Stops offer a chance to visit key locations such as Fort Sumter, Antietam National Battlefield and Bull Run.

The itinerary for American Cruise Lines’ 34-day Civil War cruise. AMERICAN CRUISE LINES

Cruisers will begin their journey on American Melody and transfer to two other ships — American Symphony and American Eagle — throughout the trip, allowing them to access additional locations that were key to the war. Transportation between ships and waterways is provided for free.

The onboard experience on each ship will be equally themed, featuring expert speakers who will discuss both sides of the war. Led by Bertram Hayes-Davis, the great-great-grandson of Jefferson Davis, who served as the president of the Confederacy, the sailing will offer a rare perspective.

“This cruise is one of the most wholistic views of the Civil War ever offered,” Hayes-Davis said in a statement from American Cruise Lines. “Guests will experience the people, places and events of the war as they visit the battlefields and stand where history was made. This is a unique opportunity to see the entire scope of the battles of the Civil War and put them in context to each other and the entire conflict.”

The voyage is currently open for booking, with fares starting from $24,700 per person. Prices include accommodations, onboard entertainment and lectures, all meals, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, a daily cocktail hour, Wi-Fi, daily shore excursions, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay (stretching the trip to 35 days), transportation and any necessary hotels when transferring to other ships, crew gratuities, and taxes and fees.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Source: thepointsguy.com

Posted in: Moving Guide Tagged: accommodations, Alabama, All, beer, before, bucket, chance, columbia, Eagle, Entertainment, events, experience, Fees, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Florida, Free, Georgia, great, guests, Guides, history, hotels, in, journey, list, Maryland, mississippi, More, new, News, north carolina, offer, opportunity, or, Other, Pennsylvania, Planning, points, president, Prices, sailing, South, South Carolina, states, stories, taxes, Tennessee, tips, Transportation, Travel, unique, virginia, war, washington, wi, Wi-Fi, will

Apache is functioning normally

May 28, 2023 by Brett Tams

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Tax Credit housing provides affordable living options to income-restricted renters. DC Tax credit apartment housing can be found throughout the District, and we’ve rounded up some great options to choose from.  Not sure if you qualify for Tax Credit apartments?  Check out our guide here for … [Read more…]

Posted in: Quick Cash Tagged: action, affordable, All, Amazon, Amenities, apartment, apartments, appliances, Basketball, bedroom, Bedrooms, Blog, building, business, Closet, closets, commuting, court, Credit, dahlia, efficient, energy, Entertainment, Features, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fitness, fitness center, floor, floor plans, flooring, friendly, Georgia, government, great, guide, home, Housing, in, Income, internet, kitchens, lighting, Living, maintenance, Make, mississippi, modern, More, new, offers, or, park, pendant lighting, Pet, pet-friendly, pets, place, plans, pool, Rent, rental, rental housing, renters, restaurants, right, short, space, square, steel, tax, tax credit, Transportation, wall, washington, will

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

Iowa is a growing, thriving state with plenty of things to offer residents. With so many choices available, it can be tough to decide on the best bank. Once you’ve made sure your bank of choice is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, there are other factors to look at, including whether you’ll find branches in your area and what fees you’ll be charged. This list can help you decide.

Iowa welcome sign

11 Best Banks in Iowa

Before you open a new bank account, take a look around at the best banks in your area. Here are a few to consider.

1. Hills Bank

Hills Bank has branches in the Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, and Mount Vernon areas, but you can access funds nationwide through thousands of SHAZAM and MoneyPass ATMs. There are three tiers of checking accounts, but Free Checking has no maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements.

Fees:

  • No monthly fees
  • $27 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • No minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Free at Hills, SHAZAM, and MoneyPass locations
  • No fee for out-of-network transactions

Interest rates:

  • Up to 0.40% on savings accounts
  • Up to 4.43% on fixed-rate CDs

Additional perks:

  • In-person banking services available at branches throughout Iowa
  • Competitive rates on CDs

2. Bank Iowa

Bank Iowa is an Iowa-only bank with branches in five areas, including Iowa City, but there are no branch-based banking services in Cedar Rapids. You’ll find five checking account options, including two with no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance.

Fees:

  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • $35 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $10 minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Free access at Bank Iowa ATMs and SHAZAM locations nationwide
  • $2 for out-of-network withdrawals

Interest rates:

  • Up to 0.19% on savings
  • Up to 1.28% on money markets
  • Up to 2.56% on CDs

Additional perks:

  • Checking accounts come with complimentary identity theft services
  • Competitive rates on personal and home loans

3. GO2Bank

If an online bank can meet all your banking needs, GO2Bank might be the best bank. You can easily manage your funds through the mobile banking app, and you’ll also have access to a nationwide network of ATMs and retailers for deposits and withdrawals. As long as your paycheck is automatically deposited, you’ll pay no monthly maintenance fees, but otherwise, it’s only $5 per statement cycle.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee with direct deposit
  • $15 overdraft fee for every transaction not paid within 24 hours

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • No minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Free access at AllPoint locations nationwide
  • $3 for out-of-network withdrawals

Interest rates:

  • Up to 4.50% annual percentage yield on savings account

Additional perks:

  • Deposit cash at more than 90,000 retailers nationwide
  • Earn up to 7% cash back on gift card purchases

4. Regions Bank

If you limit your travel to the southern and Midwestern U.S., Regions Bank might be a contender for your business. This regional bank covers Iowa, along with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

As long as you have at least one $500 check deposited directly each month, you can get free checking. But banking services like loans and a financial advisor upon request make this bank really stand out.

Fees:

  • $8 monthly (waived with qualifying activity)
  • $50 minimum opening deposit

Balance requirements:

  • $1,500 minimum balance or $500 direct deposit to qualify for free checking
  • $36 overdraft fee

ATMs:

  • More than 2,000 ATMs
  • $2.50 per withdrawal at out-of-network ATMs

Interest rates:

  • Up to 0.01% APY on savings
  • Up to 4.75% on CDs

Additional perks:

  • Wide range of banking products
  • Wealth management services available

5. Northwest Bank

Based in Spencer, Iowa, Northwest Bank is a family-owned bank with locations in both Iowa and Nebraska. Northwest is considered one of the best banks in Iowa for its quality customer service and great rates on checking. Currently, Northwest Bank is offering a $100 bonus on each new checking account as long as you sign up for new products like e-statements, Zelle, and BillPay.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee
  • $28 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $10 minimum opening balance

ATMs:

  • Free at MoneyPass ATMs nationwide
  • $2 per withdrawal at out-of-network ATMs

Interest rates:

  • 0.01% APY on qualifying checking accounts
  • .001% APY on savings
  • Up to 2.25% APY on money markets
  • 0.03% on CDs

Additional perks:

  • $100 cash bonus to qualifying new accounts
  • 1.50% cash back on debit card purchases ($8 limit)

6. Chime

Another online and mobile banking option is Chime, which offers all the amenities of bigger banks without the cost. Online banking options include a checking account with autosave features to help you meet your financial goals. Chime’s savings accounts offer 2% APY, which is competitive with what other banks in Iowa are offering.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee
  • No charges for overdrafts

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • No minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs
  • $2.50 fee for each out-of-network ATM transaction

Interest rates:

  • 2% APY on savings accounts

Additional perks:

  • Pay accessible up to two days early
  • Automatically round up each debit card purchase to build your savings account

7. CIT Bank

Another online banking option is CIT Bank, which has no local branches. CIT’s bank accounts come without monthly charges, including no overdraft fees, but there is a downside. CIT Bank’s ATM network is nonexistent. You’ll be reimbursed up to $30 a month in out-of-network costs, though.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee
  • No charges for overdrafts

Balance requirements:

  • $25,000 minimum balance or $100 monthly deposit
  • $100 minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Up to $30 in ATM costs refunded per month

Interest rates:

  • Up to 0.46% APY on savings
  • Up to 1.55% APY on money market
  • 5% APY on CDs

Additional perks:

  • Great rates on CDs
  • Savings Builder account motivates you to save at least $100 monthly

8. Fidelity Bank & Trust

Fidelity Bank & Trust is a community bank with a hometown feel. It has more than 30 branches in Northeast Iowa, Northwest Illinois, and Southwest Wisconsin. The bank offers robust online and mobile banking options, as well as money management help through its investment services team.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee
  • $30 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $50 minimum opening balance

ATMs:

  • Free at Fidelity Bank locations across Northeast Iowa
  • Free at SHAZAM ATMs nationwide

Interest rates:

  • 0.05% APY on qualifying checking accounts
  • 0.05% APY on savings
  • Up to 0.50% APY on money markets
  • Up to 4.77% on CDs

Additional perks:

  • myPIC debit card lets you add your photo to your card
  • Specialized Christmas and children’s savings account options available

9. Bank of America

Even though it’s a large national bank, Bank of America brings some of the benefits you get from a small bank. Customers can enjoy fee-free account types as long as they sign up for Preferred Rewards. But one of the biggest benefits is the nationwide network of branches and ATMs.

Fees:

  • $12 monthly fee (waived with qualifications)
  • $10 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • $1,200 minimum balance or qualifying deposits to waive fee
  • $100 minimum opening balance

ATMs:

  • Free at Bank of America ATMs nationwide
  • $2.50 fee for each out-of-network ATM transaction

Interest rates:

  • 0.04% APY on savings (with preferred rewards)
  • Up to 4.20% on CDs

Additional perks:

  • In-person service at branches and with virtual assistant at ATMs
  • Preferred Rewards programs offer discounts on accounts and loans

10. Bankers Trust

Based in Des Moines, Bankers Trust has banks in Iowa and Arizona. There are multiple accounts to meet your banking needs, including some checking accounts with tiered interest rates. New customers may be eligible for a $250 bonus by choosing a participating checking account.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee with at least 12 debit card transactions
  • $10-$30 overdraft fee

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum balance
  • $25 minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at Allpoint and MoneyPass ATMs
  • $2 fee for each out-of-network ATM transaction

Interest rates:

  • Up to 0.60% on checking
  • Up to 1.45% on savings
  • Up to 4.55% on CDs

Additional perks:

  • $250 bonus for new BreakFree or Direct Checking account
  • Education center provides training and information

11. MidwestOne Bank

If customer service is a priority, MidwestOne Bank is one of the best banks in Iowa. This regional bank has 45 branches across Iowa, as well as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Florida. You’ll also find great rates on auto and personal loans with MidwestOne.

Fees:

  • No monthly fee
  • $35 for overdrafts

Balance requirements:

  • No minimum daily balance
  • $100 minimum opening deposit

ATMs:

  • Fee-free at MoneyPass ATMs
  • $1 fee for each out-of-network ATM transaction

Interest rates:

  • Up to 0.75% APY on savings
  • Up to 1.00% APY on money market
  • Up to 2.47% APY on CDs

Additional perks:

  • Bank Your Change automatically rounds up debit purchases to put toward savings
  • Competitive rates on personal loans

Bottom Line

The best banks in Iowa offer great customer service and easy access to your funds. To ensure you make the right choice, consider not only these factors, but also the range of financial products, convenience, and technological innovation each bank provides. As you compare different banks, keep in mind your specific financial needs, preferences, and goals, such as low fees, high interest rates, or specialized services.

Once you’ve found the best bank, it’s essential to regularly review your account and stay informed about new offers and changes in rates and amenities. By doing so, you can maximize your financial benefits and adjust your banking relationship as your needs evolve. Ultimately, the best bank for you will consistently deliver on all fronts, helping you achieve financial stability and success in Iowa.

Source: crediful.com

Posted in: Credit 101 Tagged: 2, 2023, About, accessibility, advisor, Alabama, All, Amenities, app, Arizona, Arkansas, ATM, Auto, balance, Bank, bank account, bank accounts, bank of america, Banking, banks, before, Benefits, best, bonus, build, builder, business, cash back, cash bonus, CDs, Checking Account, Checking Accounts, Children, Chime, choice, Choices, Christmas, cit bank, city, Colorado, Community Bank, Convenience, cost, customer service, Debit Card, deposit, deposit insurance, Deposits, des moines, Direct Deposit, Discounts, education, Family, Features, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Fees, fidelity, Financial Advisor, Financial Goals, financial stability, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, fixed, Florida, Free, free checking, funds, Georgia, gift, goals, great, home, home loans, hours, identity theft, Illinois, in, indiana, Insurance, interest, interest rates, investment, list, Loans, Local, louisiana, low, maintenance, Make, manage, market, markets, mississippi, missouri, mobile, Mobile Banking, money, Money Management, money market, More, nebraska, needs, new, no fee, north carolina, offer, offers, Online Banking, or, Other, overdraft, overdraft fee, overdraft fees, paycheck, Personal, Personal Loans, products, programs, Purchase, quality, rate, Rates, Review, rewards, Rewards Programs, right, save, savings, Savings Account, Savings Accounts, South, South Carolina, southwest, Tennessee, texas, theft, Transaction, Travel, trust, virtual, virtual assistant, wealth, wealth management, will, Wisconsin, withdrawal

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

The perfect balance of environmentally friendly initiatives and city atmosphere.

We scored and ranked every U.S metro for environmental efforts based on numerous, measurable factors. These factors include alternative fuel resources, recycling jobs and air pollution, registered alternative fuel vehicles and traditional fuel vehicles. These factors were scaled, scored and ranked scored and ranked while controlling for differences in population and land area. Based on this ranking, we’ve compiled the top 10 cleanest cities worthy of analyzing, with Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL coming in at No. 1.

davenport iowa wind farm

Quad Cities cleanliness

Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island, also known as the Quad Cities, has taken several steps to become a more environmentally sustainable region, earning our title as the cleanest city. The Quad Cities area has several renewable energy projects, including a solar farm in Moline, IL, and a wind farm in Iowa. The region is also exploring additional opportunities for renewable energy development, setting a precedent for green initiatives.

davenport iowa and quad cities recycling programs

Recycling jobs

Recycling jobs in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL area are primarily focused on the collection, processing and management of recyclable materials. This group of cities has a whopping 530 recycling jobs, which is in the top 10 metros with the most recycling jobs.

When compared with job opportunities in other industries, these cities have 3.1 recycling jobs for every 1,000 other types of positions. This is great for people who want to contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing waste, conserving resources and minimizing pollution.

davenport iowa and quad cities rank high for alternative fuel use

Electric vehicles popularity

Alternative fuel cars are increasing in popularity, with good reason. Also known as green or clean energy vehicles, these automobiles use fuels or power sources other than traditional gasoline or diesel. These vehicles reduce the environmental impact associated with cars and contribute to more sustainable transportation.

The high number of alternative fuel vehicles registered in the Quad Cities showcases the region’s commitment to sustainable transportation. With over 400,000 of these vehicles, the area’s proportion of alternative fuel vehicles to traditional cars stands at an impressive 16.17%, reflecting a shift towards greener mobility. While the area is car-dependent, this area is fairly bike-friendly with a bike score of 40.

davenport iowa

Air pollution

As cities grow and greenhouse gas emissions are better understood, there is a dire need to control air pollution for breathing health and the future of the earth. The Quad Cities embracing alternative fuel vehicles plays a crucial role in their air pollution.

With an admirable score of 9.4, Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island is proving its commitment to sustainability practices. To offer context of their pollution score(the higher the number, the less air pollution), the neighboring city, Cedar Rapids, IA, comes in at an 8.8 — showing they have slightly worse air pollution. As cities begin to implement practices and work to improve living conditions for their residents, we hope to see scores climb.

davenport iowa apartments

Source: Rent. / The Bridges Loft

Renting in Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island is a vibrant metropolitan area situated along the Mississippi River in the Midwestern United States. Known for its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage, this region comprises the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, Rock Island and East Moline in Illinois. The Quad Cities are renowned for their strong sense of community, thriving arts scene and a growing emphasis on sustainability, making it the perfect city for renters.

The region’s dedication to sustainability not only enhances the quality of life for its residents but also serves as an inspiration for other cities yearning to implement more clean and green practices. This area provides a stellar example of the harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, city living and green initiatives.

Top apartments in Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island

the quad cities are dedicated to protecting the environment

The future is green

With Davenport-Bettendorf-Moline-Rock Island leading as the cleanest city, their achievement highlights the significance of their commitment to promoting alternative fuel vehicle usage, creating recycling jobs and fostering a culture of sustainability. By prioritizing these green initiatives, they are not only improving air quality but also paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future, setting an inspiring example for other cities to follow suit.

The dedication of Davenport, Iowa, and surrounding Quad Cities to creating a cleaner and greener environment will have lasting positive impacts on the well-being of both current and future generations. Start your green life in this forward-thinking group of metros today!

Source: rent.com

Posted in: Growing Wealth Tagged: About, advice, air, All, apartments, Automobiles, balance, Beauty, Bike, Blend, Blog, car, cars, Cities, city, city living, Clean, Development, diversity, earning, electric, electric vehicles, energy, environment, environmental, environmentally friendly, farm, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, friendly, future, gas, good, great, green, Grow, guide, health, ia, il, Illinois, impact, in, Inspiration, job, jobs, Land, Learn, Life, Living, making, mississippi, More, natural, offer, or, Other, projects, quality, Rent, renters, rich, river, Showcases, states, sustainability, sustainable, tips, Tips & Advice, title, top 10, traditional, Transportation, united, united states, vehicles, will, work

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

Today we’ll take a look at the top mortgage lenders in Alabama, based on their most recent year’s loan volume.

This is a list of the largest mortgage lenders in the state, not necessarily the top-rated ones (though those two things can coexist).

Despite being a less populated state, more than 800 lenders still managed to fund more than $51 billion in home loans there.

But like the other 49 states, one company managed to beat out the competition, and by a wide margin at that.

Read on to see which companies topped the list in the state of Alabama last year.

Top Mortgage Lenders in Alabama (Overall)

Ranking Company Name 2021 Loan Volume
1. Rocket Mortgage $3.0 billion
2. Pennymac $2.0 billion
3. Regions Bank $2.0 billion
4. Freedom Mortgage $1.5 billion
5. Fairway Independent $1.5 billion
6. Wells Fargo $1.5 billion
7. Trustmark $1.3 billion
8. UWM $1.2 billion
9. Renasant Bank $1.2 billion
10. Homepoint $1.1 billion

If you had to guess which mortgage company did the most lending in Alabama, you’d probably guess right.

That’s because the nation’s top mortgage lender overall was also the biggest lender in Bama. Yes, I’m talking about Rocket Mortgage, which funded $3 billion, according to HMDA data from Richey May.

That was 150% more than their closest competitor, Pennymac, which came in second with $2 billion.

Birmingham, Alabama-based Regions Bank snagged third with a similar $2 billion, a positive development for local mortgage companies.

In fourth was Freedom Mortgage with $1.5 billion, followed by Fairway Independent Mortgage with a comparable total.

The bottom half of the top 10 included San Francisco-based Wells Fargo, Trustmark National Bank, United Wholesale Mortgage, Renasant Bank, and Homepoint.

Trustmark is headquartered in nearby Jackson, Mississippi, while Renasant Bank is located in Tupelo, MS.

So just one of the top 10 mortgage companies in the state of Alabama is homegrown.

Top Alabama Mortgage Lenders (for Home Buyers)

Ranking Company Name 2021 Loan Volume
1. Pennymac $1.2 billion
2. Fairway Independent $1.1 billion
3. Regions Bank $901 million
4. Trustmark $828 million
5. FirstBank $765 million
6. Renasant Bank $660 million
7. Rocket Mortgage $614 million
8. Wells Fargo $598 million
9. UWM $588 million
10. Homepoint $542 million

The picture changes quite a bit when we look only at home purchase lending. Then Pennymac takes the top spot with $1.2 billion funded.

In second was Wisconsin-based Fairway Independent with $1.1 billion, followed by Regions Bank with $901 million.

The next three spots all went to banks, including Trustmark, FirstBank, and Renasant Bank.

That makes sense since home buyers often turn to brick-and-mortar institutions or companies they already do business with.

The rest of the top 10 included Rocket Mortgage, Wells Fargo, UWM, and Homepoint.

Top Refinance Lenders in Alabama (for Existing Homeowners)

Ranking Company Name 2021 Loan Volume
1. Rocket Mortgage $2.3 billion
2. Freedom Mortgage $1.3 billion
3. Regions Bank $911 million
4. Wells Fargo $829 million
5. Pennymac $828 million
6. loanDepot $662 million
7. Mr. Cooper $641 million
8. UWM $615 million
9. Homepoint $562 million
10. Renasant Bank $511 million

When we filter out the purchase loans and focus on mortgage refinances, Rocket Mortgage easily takes the top spot with $2.3 billion funded.

That was a full billion more than second place Freedom Mortgage, and much more than Region Bank’s $911 million.

Two other heavyweights rounded out the top five, including Wells Fargo and Pennymac.

And spots six through 10 went to loanDepot, Mr. Cooper, UWM, Homepoint, and Renasant Bank.

No real surprises, and only one Alabama-based company in the list.

Top Mortgage Lenders in Birmingham

Ranking Company Name 2021 Loan Volume
1. Regions Bank $942 million
2. Rocket Mortgage $770 million
3. Fairway Independent $587 million
4. Wells Fargo $424 million
5. Pennymac $399 million
6. Renasant Bank $387 million
7. UWM $371 million
8. Freedom Mortgage $341 million
9. Mr. Cooper $303 million
10. Citizens Bank $289 million

Top Mortgage Lenders in Huntsville

Ranking Company Name 2021 Loan Volume
1. Rocket Mortgage $518 million
2. Redstone FCU $407 million
3. FirstBank $394 million
4. Pennymac $388 million
5. Freedom Mortgage $342 million
6. loanDepot $335 million
7. Wells Fargo $310 million
8. UWM $234 million
9. Homepoint $207 million
10. Hometown Lenders $197 million

Who Are the Best Alabama Mortgage Lenders?

If we consider customer reviews as opposed to total loan volume, we might be able to determine the best vs. top lenders in the state.

Of course, reviews are subjective and there are many review websites out there. But I typically check out Zillow to see which lenders are faring the best in each state.

Turns out Birmingham-based SouthPoint Bank has the best rating, a 4.99 out of a possible 5 from about 170 reviews.

Not far off is fellow Birmingham-based lender MortgageRight with a 4.97/5 from roughly 550 reviews, a much higher total.

Meanwhile, Tuscaloosa-based First Federal Bank has a 4.97/5 rating from nearly 200 reviews.

Those big names on the list also have Zillow ratings, including Rocket’s 4.48/5 , Pennymac’s 4.40/5, Freedom Mortgage’s 4.85/5, and Fairway Independent Mortgage’s 4.95/5.

Take the time to consider lenders both big and small, and nationwide or local to find the right fit for your home loan needs.

You may also want to speak to a mortgage broker or two, who can shop your loan with multiple companies at once.

(photo: formulanone)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

Posted in: Mortgage Tips, Refinance, Renting Tagged: 2, About, Alabama, All, at home, Bank, banks, best, big, brick, Broker, business, buyers, companies, company, Competition, data, Development, existing, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, freedom, fund, HMDA, HMDA data, home, home buyers, home loan, home loans, home purchase, homeowners, homepoint, in, lenders, lending, list, loan, loanDepot, Loans, Local, mississippi, More, Mortgage, Mortgage Broker, mortgage lender, mortgage lenders, Mortgage Tips, Mr. Cooper, needs, or, Other, PennyMac, place, Purchase, Purchase loans, ratings, Refinance, Review, Reviews, right, san francisco, second, states, time, top 10, united, United Wholesale Mortgage, UWM, volume, Websites, wells fargo, Which Mortgage, Wisconsin, Zillow

Apache is functioning normally

May 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

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

Posted in: Commercial Real Estate Tagged: 2, About, active, affordability, agreements, aid, Alabama, All, apartment, Arizona, Arkansas, average, before, best, calculator, california, chance, College, Colorado, Connecticut, cost, Debt, decision, Delaware, department of education, education, events, expenses, Family, Featured, Fees, financial aid, financial hardship, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Florida, Free, gap, Georgia, getting a job, good, guardian, hawaii, health, Health care, higher education, Housing, How To, how to afford college, idaho, Illinois, in, indiana, interview, job, list, Live, loan, louisiana, LOWER, maine, Make, market, Maryland, Massachusetts, member, Michigan, Midwest, military, mississippi, missouri, money, montana, More, Move, nebraska, negotiate, negotiating, Nevada, new, north carolina, offer, office, or, Oregon, organizing, Other, pay for college, place, Planning, programs, rate, Rates, Research, room, save, savings, scholarships, School, schools, search, social, South, South Carolina, south dakota, states, student, student loan, student loan debt, students, Tennessee, texas, time, tips, tuition, under, united, Utah, versus, virginia, waiver, washington, Websites, will, Wisconsin, work, working

Apache is functioning normally

May 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

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

Posted in: Commercial Real Estate Tagged: 2, About, active, affordability, agreements, aid, Alabama, All, apartment, Arizona, Arkansas, average, before, best, calculator, california, chance, College, Colorado, Connecticut, cost, Debt, decision, Delaware, department of education, education, events, expenses, Family, Featured, Fees, financial aid, financial hardship, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Florida, Free, gap, Georgia, getting a job, good, guardian, hawaii, health, Health care, higher education, Housing, How To, how to afford college, idaho, Illinois, in, indiana, interview, job, list, Live, loan, louisiana, LOWER, maine, Make, market, Maryland, Massachusetts, member, Michigan, Midwest, military, mississippi, missouri, money, montana, More, Move, nebraska, negotiate, negotiating, Nevada, new, north carolina, offer, office, or, Oregon, organizing, Other, pay for college, place, Planning, programs, rate, Rates, Research, room, save, savings, scholarships, School, schools, search, social, South, South Carolina, south dakota, states, student, student loan, student loan debt, students, Tennessee, texas, time, tips, tuition, under, united, Utah, versus, virginia, waiver, washington, Websites, will, Wisconsin, work, working

Apache is functioning normally

May 24, 2023 by Brett Tams

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.

<!–

–>
<!–

–>

Ready to stop worrying about money?

Get the Penny Hoarder Daily

Privacy Policy

Source: thepennyhoarder.com

Posted in: Financial Advisor Tagged: 2, 2017, 2023, About, Administration, age, aid, Alabama, All, Arizona, Arkansas, assessment, Austin, autumn, Back To School, before, Benefits, boise, Books, Buy, california, chance, choice, College, Colorado, columbia, commission, Community College, company, Connecticut, cost, country, covid, COVID-19, Credit, credits, dallas, Deals, Delaware, Development, education, entry, events, expensive, experience, fafsa, Fall, Fees, financial aid, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Florida, Free, Freebies, fun, General, Georgia, go back to school, good, hawaii, health, Health care, higher education, history, hours, id, idaho, Illinois, Income, indiana, Indiana University, interest, job, Las Vegas, Living, louisiana, LOWER, Main, maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Media, Michigan, mississippi, missouri, money, montana, More, nebraska, Nevada, new, New Jersey, new york, north carolina, offer, offers, office, one year, or, Oregon, Other, Pennsylvania, penny, Personal, Personal Development, Prices, programs, proof, public colleges, Purchase, rate, ready, risk, Risk assessment, save, Save Money, School, schools, second, security, senior citizen, senior citizens, Seniors, social, social security, social security benefits, society, South, South Carolina, south dakota, space, Special Assessments, Spring, states, stories, student, students, summer, taxable, taxable income, Tech, Technology, Tennessee, texas, time, traditional, tuition, under, unique, Utah, versus, virginia, visitor, visitors, waiver, wants, washington, will, Wisconsin, work
1 2 … 30 Next »

Archives

  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020

Categories

  • Account Management
  • Airlines
  • Apartment Communities
  • Apartment Decorating
  • Apartment Hunting
  • Apartment Life
  • Apartment Safety
  • Auto
  • Auto Insurance
  • Auto Loans
  • Bank Accounts
  • Banking
  • Borrowing Money
  • Breaking News
  • Budgeting
  • Building Credit
  • Building Wealth
  • Business
  • Car Insurance
  • Car Loans
  • Careers
  • Cash Back
  • Celebrity Homes
  • Checking Account
  • Cleaning And Maintenance
  • College
  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Credit 101
  • Credit Card Guide
  • Credit Card News
  • Credit Cards
  • Credit Repair
  • Debt
  • DIY
  • Early Career
  • Education
  • Estate Planning
  • Extra Income
  • Family Finance
  • FHA Loans
  • Financial Advisor
  • Financial Clarity
  • Financial Freedom
  • Financial Planning
  • Financing A Home
  • Find An Apartment
  • Finishing Your Degree
  • First Time Home Buyers
  • Fix And Flip
  • Flood Insurance
  • Food Budgets
  • Frugal Living
  • Growing Wealth
  • Health Insurance
  • Home
  • Home Buying
  • Home Buying Tips
  • Home Decor
  • Home Design
  • Home Improvement
  • Home Loans
  • Home Loans Guide
  • Home Ownership
  • Home Repair
  • House Architecture
  • Identity Theft
  • Insurance
  • Investing
  • Investment Properties
  • Liefstyle
  • Life Hacks
  • Life Insurance
  • Loans
  • Luxury Homes
  • Making Money
  • Managing Debts
  • Market News
  • Minimalist LIfestyle
  • Money
  • Money Basics
  • Money Etiquette
  • Money Management
  • Money Tips
  • Mortgage
  • Mortgage News
  • Mortgage Rates
  • Mortgage Refinance
  • Mortgage Tips
  • Moving Guide
  • Paying Off Debts
  • Personal Finance
  • Personal Loans
  • Pets
  • Podcasts
  • Quick Cash
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate News
  • Refinance
  • Renting
  • Retirement
  • Roommate Tips
  • Saving And Spending
  • Saving Energy
  • Savings Account
  • Side Gigs
  • Small Business
  • Spending Money Wisely
  • Starting A Business
  • Starting A Family
  • Student Finances
  • Student Loans
  • Taxes
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Unemployment
  • Unique Homes
  • VA Loans
  • Work From Home
hanovermortgages.com
Home | Contact | Site Map

Copyright © 2023 Hanover Mortgages.

Omega WordPress Theme by ThemeHall