5 Common Student Loan Mistakes

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid

1) Not figuring out how much you’ll need to pay each month

As you’re trying to plan your life after graduation, it’s important that you know how much you’ll need to pay each month toward your student loans so you can budget your other expenses accordingly. To estimate what you’ll need to pay based on your income and loan debt, use the repayment estimator.

2) Choosing the wrong repayment plan

The repayment plan you choose is a major factor in determining how much your monthly student loan payment will be and how long it will take you to pay back your loans. The Department of Education offers several different repayment plans. To compare these plans based on your student loan debt and income, use the repayment estimator.

Make sure you’re enrolled in a plan that you can afford. If you’re struggling to make your monthly payment, consider switching to an income-driven repayment plan, such as our “Income-Based” or “Pay As You Earn” plans. If you have questions, need advice, or would like to switch your repayment plan, contact your loan servicer.

3) Not paying extra when you can

If you are paying interest on your federal student loan, that interest accrues each day. An easy way to save money on your student loans is to pay more than what’s required whenever you can. Here are some ideas:

• Make interest payments while you’re still in school and/or during your grace period
• Use your tax refund to make an additional loan payment
• Tack a few extra dollars onto your payment each month

4) Missing payments

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t think you’ll be able to afford your next student loan payment, don’t just stop paying. Instead, contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. Not making your student loan payments is a big deal. It can result in default, which negatively impacts your credit score, and may affect your ability to borrow for things like a car or a home. Your loan servicer can recommend options to reduce or postpone your payment and keep your loan in good standing.

5) Paying for student loan help

There are countless ads online from companies offering to help you manage your student loan debt…for a fee, of course. But, did you know that you can get help with your student loans for free? The U.S. Department of Education provides FREE student loan help through our servicers.

Your loan servicer is the company hired by the U.S. Department of Education to help you manage, understand, and pay back your loans. They are there to help guide you through the loan repayment process, answering any questions you have along the way.

• Struggling to make your student loan payments? They can help you apply for an income-driven repayment plan or help you research options to postpone payments.
• Interested in student loan forgiveness? They have all the info you need.
• Want to consolidate your student loans? They can help with that.

Their services are provided free of charge, but they can only help you if they can reach you. Graduating and moving away from campus? Changing your cell phone number or e-mail address? Make sure you let your loan servicer know.

Why Vaccinating Your Children is Important

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

The recent measles outbreak demonstrates how quickly a nearly-eliminated disease can spread.

World Immunization Week serves as a great opportunity to learn more how vaccines save lives. Did you know that vaccines for children prevent 16 diseases that persist in other nations?

Vaccines work best when most members of a community are vaccinated; protect your kids and others by following a vaccine schedule according to their age. If you’re worried about the safety of vaccines, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website and get the facts.

4 Must-DOs Before Repaying Your Student Loans

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid

Congratulations, Class of 2015! Your hard work paid off. You did it! There’s a lot to think about as you begin the next chapter. Let me help you with the student loan part.

Here are four things you should do now, before you make that first student loan payment:

1. Find out what you owe

Start by tracking down all of your student loans. Just go to StudentAid.gov/login and log in to view your federal student loan balances, interest rate, loan servicer contact information, and more.

Note: Don’t forget to check your personal records to see if you have private student loans as well.

2. Enroll in a repayment plan that you can afford

If you take no action after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will be automatically enrolled in the 10-Year Standard Repayment Plan. Find out what your monthly payment amount is going to be if you stick with this plan. If you don’t think you can afford that amount, consider switching to an income-driven repayment plan instead.

Income-driven repayment plans are designed to make your student loan debt more manageable by reducing your monthly payment amount to an affordable amount based on your income.

The easiest way to compare the different repayment plans based on your loan amount and income is to use our repayment calculator. Once you log in, the calculator pulls in information about your federal student loans, such as your loan balance and your interest rates, and allows you to estimate what your monthly payment would be under each of our different repayment plans. It also allows you to compare the total amount you will pay for your loan over time and can tell you the amount of loan forgiveness you’re expected to qualify for if you choose one of our income-driven repayment plans.

Once you select a plan, contact your servicer to apply or enroll.

3. Figure out how to pay

If you have federal student loans, you won’t pay the U.S. Department of Education directly. You will make payments to your loan servicer. Your loan servicer is a company that works on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education to process and manage student loan payments. To find out who your loan servicer is, log in to StudentAid.gov. You may have more than one loan servicer, so it is important that you look at each loan individually.

Automatic Debit: The easiest way to pay

If you want to make repaying your student loans as easy as possible, sign up for automatic debit through your loan servicer. If you choose this option, your loan payments will be automatically deducted from your bank account each month, ensuring that your payments are made on time. If that isn’t good enough, you may also qualify for a 0.25% interest rate reduction when you enroll in automatic debit. To enroll in automatic debit, go to your servicer’s website.

4. Know who to contact if you need help

If you ever have questions or need help with your student loans contact your loan servicer. Your loan servicer can help you choose a repayment plan, understand loan consolidation, apply for an income-driven repayment plan, and complete other tasks related to your federal student loan. It’s important to remember that you NEVER have to pay for help with your student loans. That’s what your loan servicer is there for. Their help is FREE.

It’s important to maintain contact with your loan servicer. If your circumstances change at any time during your repayment period, your loan servicer will be able to help.

Donate Life: Sign Up as an Organ, Eye, or Tissue Donor

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

What if you could save the lives of up to 8 people?

Every year thousands of people receive the gift of life when they get a life-saving transplant such as a kidney, a liver, or intestines. Most organs for transplants come from deceased donors. Did you know that…

• 123,318 people are waiting for an organ
• 21 people will die each day waiting for one
• 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives

Check out this animated video which explains the transplant waiting, list, how to become a donor, the process of organ matches, and how to sign up in your state. You can also find more information on www.organdonor.gov.

How to Check the Background of Your Financial Advisor

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Do you use or have you ever considered using a financial advisor to help you make money decisions? Before you turn over your hard-earned cash, we want to help you learn the signs of investment fraud and find out how to check the background of your financial advisor.

That’s why Marietta Jelks, the editor-in-chief of the Consumer Action Handbook, partnered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to bring you a Google Hangout answering some of your questions about this topic.

Here are some of the highlights from the discussion:

Look for red flags that signal investment fraud

• Be wary if an investment advisor or promoter says things like “risk free,” “guaranteed earnings,” “quick profits,” “the investment is government approved.” Almost all are signs of fraud.
• Watch out for investments that are billed as “limited-time offers” or are only available to a small number of people.
• Make sure to get everything in writing and read all documents so you know what you’re agreeing to.

Check the background of your financial professional

Looking into the background of a financial advisor is one of the most important steps an investor can take toward protecting their assets.

The CFTC recently launched a new tool – SmartCheck.gov – to help make it easier to do that. Through the tool, you have access to multiple databases of federal and state agencies and self-regulatory organizations that provide background information on financial advisors. It is an easy and free process, requiring no usernames or passwords.

Report investment fraud

If you have been a victim of investment fraud or misrepresentation, you should file complaints with a few sources:

• Your state’s securities regulator: It can determine if the broker or company has violated state specific securities laws.
• The Securities and Exchange Commission:  For violation of federal securities laws.
• The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: FINRA accepts complaints about brokers and their firms.

If you would like financial compensation for your losses, you may want to seek legal action or go through a dispute resolution program.

To learn more about recognizing investment fraud and researching your financial advisor, watch the recording of our Google Hangout.

Naming Pluto’s Features: Submit Ideas by April 24

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Historic Fly-By Will Reveal Planet’s Surface Details

Expectant parents try to pick out names before their baby’s due date. Astronomers are doing the same thing. They’re looking for suggestions for planetary features they expect to discover when a spacecraft flies past Pluto in July.

NASA’s New Horizons probe has been traveling nine years and more than three billion miles to the outer edges of our solar system. When it reaches Pluto, on July 14, it will send back the first-ever close-up images of the dwarf planet and its moons.

You can submit names for as-yet-undiscovered geological features on Pluto and its largest moon, Charon. Names must fit into themes about mythology or exploration. You can also check out suggested names and vote for your favorites. But don’t wait. Deadline for both is next Friday, April 24.

Know, Before You Owe: New Home Shopping Toolkit

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Are You Looking to Buy a Home?

Buying a home is one of the most exciting yet one of the most difficult financial decisions you will make. Understanding the costs of real estate settlement services, defining what affordable means to you, and finding the best mortgage are among the many aspects you’ll need to consider. This new toolkit (PDF) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), offers a step-by-step guide that includes checklists, conversation starters for discussions between buyers and lenders, and research tips to find more information.

Do you have questions about homeownership? If you’re on Twitter, join the CFPB during a live Question and Answer Session on homeownership on April 28 at 3 PM ET. Use #GovFinChat to follow the conversation or ask questions.  

Applying for VA Claims Just Got Easier

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Tell Vets and Survivors to File

Filing for veterans’ benefits, and appealing decisions on claims, can be time-consuming and confusing. But with the recent roll-out of new, streamlined claims processes, applying for veterans benefits now promises to be faster, easier and more accurate.

The changes involve:

• new requirements to use standardized forms for filing for benefits
• a new form for appealing decisions
• a new “intent to file” a claim process for those who need more time to gather information while preserving an effective date for benefits

If you’re a veteran or you know a vet, or a survivor who has put off applying for benefits because it was too difficult, encourage them to visit explore.va.gov and check out the new ways to file for claims.

On Earth Day, Show NASA How There’s #NoPlaceLikeHome

The Titanic: An Example of Cooperation Born from Tragedy

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Nations Joined Forces to Prevent Disasters, Protect a Legacy

The tale of the Titanic, which sank 103 years ago today, is not just a tragedy of the many lives lost when the ocean liner struck an iceberg and went down. It’s also an example of countries working together to prevent future disasters of its type.

Shortly after the sinking, maritime nations signed an international Safety of Life at Sea agreement, establishing safety requirements including an ice patrol to guide ships away from icebergs. The International Ice Patrol still operates every iceberg season and drops a wreath over the Titanic’s wreckage on the anniversary of its demise.

The safeguarding of the Titanic site is also by international agreement, with NOAA—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—representing the U.S. Learn about the role NOAA plays in protecting the Titanic and the role the U.S. Coast Guard plays in protecting mariners from icebergs.

Car Shopping: Do Your Homework to Get a Good Deal

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Learn About Financing, Negotiating and Other “Rules of the Game”

Cars are one of the most expensive and important things we buy. They’re also one of the most difficult. Getting a good price on a car typically requires negotiating, a skill not called for in our everyday purchases. And returns are rarely accepted on new or used cars.

Additionally, car ads may be misleading, the dealer’s sales tactics can be high-pressure, and the financing options are subject to fine print. For all these reasons, it’s important to educate yourself before you head out to an auto dealership.

Read these articles on buying and owning a car to get started:

• Are Car Ads Taking You for a Ride?


• Understanding Vehicle Financing


• Buying a New Car


• Buying a Used Car

How We’re Using Personas to Better Understand Your Needs

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

By Michelle Chronister, User Experience Team Lead

Personas are fictional characters that describe an organization’s customer behaviors, emotions, attributes, motivations, and goals. They are an important tool to share customer insights and understanding across an organization. Personas also serve as a check to make sure an organization’s actions meet the needs of the majority of customers, including visitors to the website, contact center, in-person visits, and interactive voice response (IVR) self service customers.

Updating our Personas

Personas aren’t new to us at USA.gov. We developed personas several years ago because we recognized the importance of understanding customer needs.

We recently created new personas [PDF] of the customers who currently use USA.gov and 1-844-USA-GOV1 based on the themes and insights observed from several different data sets. We reviewed the following 2014 data:

• USA.gov Web analytics (via the Digital Analytics Program), including demographics, devices, common paths, popular pages, and outbound links
  


• Onsite search data from DigitalGov Search
  


• USA.gov customer satisfaction survey data
  


• Searches on Google that led customers to USA.gov (via Google Webmaster Tools)
  


• 1-844-USA-GOV1 contact center content usage
  


• Web analytics for other government websites available through the Digital Analytics Program
  


• General search trends on Google
  

What We Learned

You, our customers, are diverse and come to us with a range of goals and to find a broad scope of information and services. We categorized your needs by type of information seeking behavior:

• Complete a transaction (or find information to prepare to complete a transaction)
  


• Find specific information on a known topic
  


• Browse information or learn more on a general topic
  


• Find contact information for an agency or elected official
  

These categories aren’t perfect – there is overlap between the customer types. You may have multiple needs, but we still think these personas are useful for thinking about how you look for information.

If you’re curious, you can read more about the specific personas we developed and find our next steps over on Digitalgov.gov.

CFTC SmartCheck: Empowering You to Make Smart, Safer Investing Decisions

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

CFTC SmartCheck is a national campaign of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), created to empower you to identify and protect yourself against financial fraud.

Research indicates that most fraudsters are not registered/licensed or have had past disciplinary actions. A simple background check of the financial professional could have, in many instances, helped the victim know this up front, possibly preventing the fraud all together.

Using interactive tools, the campaign actively engages and informs you about how to spot the signs of fraud and what action to take when confronted by them. The resources available on SmartCheck.gov enable you to practice and strengthen your ability to spot fraudsters and check the background of their financial professional.

SmartCheck.gov is:

• An easy-to-use website, providing access to information to help you make smarter investment decisions.

SmartCheck.gov features:

• Quick access to essential free databases to search a financial professional’s background in one place.


• Interactive and fun videos to practice your ability to spot a fraudster.


• Updated news on emerging frauds.

SmartCheck.gov helps you:

• Improve investment decisions with cutting edge educational tools.


• Increase your sense of security from knowing you can review a financial professional’s background quickly and easily.


• Save time when searching for investment resources.


• Protect your money by learning how to avoid fraudsters and their offers.

Access these features of SmartCheck.gov to improve your investing decisions:

• Access Resources for Smart Investors


• Check the Background of Financial Professionals


• Interactive Videos to Test and Develop Your Ability to Spot Fraudsters


• Inform Yourself about Fraud Trends

In certain situations, you can have your federal student loan...

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

In certain situations, you can have your federal student loan forgiven. Learn about options: http://1.usa.gov/1F6JSOJ

From the FDR Library:Today, we are excited to announce the...

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the FDR Library:

Today, we are excited to announce the launch of “Around the World with the Roosevelts” on Google Cultural Institute!

This exhibit draws on the rich historical collections housed in both the Archives and Museum of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, showing the Roosevelts’ unique relationship with people and leaders across the globe through a lifetime of travels by both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The exhibit is broken into 8 sections by region of the world and contains nearly 300 objects, documents and photographs.

Check it out and journey across the globe with Franklin and Eleanor!

Smoking cigarettes is dangerous, but many teens think it...

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Smoking cigarettes is dangerous, but many teens think it isn’t. Talk, educate and challenge them: http://1.usa.gov/1Fr0UcS

Autism: Early Detection Can Help

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that causes social, communication and behavioral difficulties that can often be diagnosed by age 2. ASD is diagnosed by observing a child’s behavior and development.

Early diagnosis and intervention could make a difference in helping him or her. Learn about the signs and common symptoms of ASD and the developmental milestones to look for to determine a child’s progress as they age. Meeting these milestones might include: pointing at things, using simple gestures like clapping and waving “bye-bye,” or talking, for example.

If you’re concerned that your child is not meeting certain milestones for their age, talk to their pediatrician to discuss some possible next steps.

From the National Archives:April Showers Bring…an Umbrella...

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the National Archives:

April Showers Bring…an Umbrella Cane!

Patent Drawing for H. A. Whiting and W. J. Winghart’s Umbrella and Cane Combined, 08/22/1882

From the Department of Interior:Mesa Arch at Canyonlands...

Otmane El Rhazi from USA.gov.

From the Department of Interior:

Mesa Arch at Canyonlands National Park is one of the most photographed arches in southeast Utah. This location is especially popular at ‪‎sunrise‬, when groups of photographers often lie in wait for the glow of sunrise on the bottom of the arch. Even with the crowds, it’s an incredible experience. Photo by Adam Chandio (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).