Despite the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program officially ending in July 2010, its footprint on American personal finance remains substantial. As of the third quarter of 2026, approximately 6.42 million borrowers still carry a staggering $157 billion in FFEL student loan debt. With sweeping updates to federal student loan repayment architecture taking effect in…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: June 25, 2026 (Originally published June 2019) Main Facts Relocating for a new job is one of the most exciting milestones in a professional career. Whether it involves moving to a bustling metropolitan area in a different state or taking a leap across international borders,…
By Financial News Desk Updated: July 3, 2026 Main Facts: Simplifying Personal Finance in an Uncertain Economy Managing personal finances often feels like an insurmountable hurdle, frequently plagued by complex jargon, intimidating software, and the overwhelming task of tracking dozens of micro-transactions. However, financial experts emphasize that effective budgeting does not require an advanced degree…
Author: Sarah Brady, NFCC Updated: July 10, 2026 Main Facts Navigating the landscape of federal student loan forgiveness can feel overwhelming. Following years of sweeping policy shifts, high-profile court battles, and conflicting headlines, many borrowers have grown fatigued, sometimes assuming that debt relief options no longer exist. However, federal loan forgiveness remains very much a…
By Barry Coleman, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Published: July 17, 2026 (Originally published March 2022) Main Facts Millions of student loan borrowers across the United States continue to grapple with complex repayment options, mounting financial stress, and the daily anxiety of debt management. Recent data highlights the severity of this ongoing economic challenge:…
By Holly Welles Updated: July 23, 2026 Main Facts: The Reality of Drained Savings and the Path to Recovery Financial emergencies are an inevitable part of the human experience. Whether triggered by an unexpected medical diagnosis, sudden automobile repairs, urgent home maintenance, or a sudden loss of employment, life has a way of throwing expensive…
Author: Sarah Brady, NFCC Updated: July 31, 2026 (Editor’s Note: This comprehensive guide was originally published in December 2020 and has been fully updated to reflect current economic realities, interest rate environments, and regulatory standards as of mid-2026.) Main Facts For millions of consumers grappling with overwhelming financial obligations, finding a reliable way out of…
Author: Sarah Brady, NFCC Updated: August 4, 2026 As the United States housing market continues to face economic headwinds, home foreclosures are steadily rising. For the roughly 227,500 American households currently facing foreclosure in 2026, the psychological toll can be immense, often accompanied by a paralyzing feeling that there are no viable solutions. However, financial…
Author: Sarah Brady, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Updated: August 12, 2026 Introduction: The Mounting Pressure of Resuming Student Debt For millions of Americans, the return of student loan billing cycles or sudden payment increases has triggered profound financial anxiety. The modern landscape of higher education financing is fraught with complex repayment structures, changing…
Author: Consumers’ Checkbook Updated: August 20, 2026 Main Facts Financial fraud in the digital age has reached an unprecedented crisis point. According to ground-breaking data released by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024, reported fraud losses skyrocketed to a historic $12.5 billion. This figure represents an alarming 25…
