Business
Student Loans: Understanding The Ins And Outs Of Financing Your Education
(CTN NEWS) – As higher education costs continue to rise, many students and their families turn to student loans to help pay for college.
However, navigating the world of student loans can be overwhelming and confusing.
In this article, we’ll break down the different types of student loans, how to apply for them, and what to consider when choosing a loan.
What Are Student Loans?
Student loans are financial aid that helps cover the cost of higher education. Unlike scholarships or grants, student loans must be repaid with interest.
Loans can come from the federal government, state governments, private banks, or other financial institutions.
Types Of Student Loans
A student loan can be either federal or private.
1. Federal student loans
The U.S. Department of Education issues federal loans. They offer fixed interest rates and flexible repayment plans. Loans from the federal government fall into three categories:
1.1 Direct Subsidized Loans
Students with financial needs can apply for Direct Subsidized Loans. The federal government pays the interest on these loans while the student is in school and during a six-month grace period after graduation.
1.2 Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Undergraduate, graduate and professional students can apply for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Unlike subsidized loans, students are responsible for paying the interest on these loans while in school.
1.3 PLUS Loans
PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional students. Unlike other federal loans, these loans require a credit check and have higher interest rates.
2. Private student loans
Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions issue private student loans. They often have variable interest rates and fewer borrower protections than federal loans.
Private loans may be a good option for students who have exhausted their federal loan options or have excellent credit.
How To Apply For Student Loans
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal student loans. The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.
Students must apply directly with the lender to apply for private student loans. Private lenders will require a credit check and may require a co-signer if the student has a limited credit history.
Repaying Student Loans
Repaying student loans can be daunting, but options are available to help make payments more manageable.
Federal loan Repayment Plans
Federal loans offer several repayment plans, including income-driven ones, which base monthly payments on a borrower’s income and family size.
Other options include extended repayment plans and graduated repayment plans.
Private loan Repayment Options
Private loan repayment options vary by lender. Some lenders offer deferment or forbearance options, while others offer income-driven repayment plans.
Choosing The Right Student Loan
When choosing a student loan, there are several factors to consider.
Interest rates
The interest rate on loan determines how much you will pay over the life of the loan.
Federal loans typically have lower interest rates than private loans, but private loans may offer lower interest rates to borrowers with good credit.
Repayment options
Consider the repayment options available for each loan. Federal loans offer a variety of repayment plans, while private loans may offer fewer options. Look for repayment plans that fit your budget and long-term financial goals.
Loan fees
Some student loans may come with loan fees, which can add up over time. Federal loans have origination fees, a percentage of the loan amount.
Private loans may have origination and other fees, such as application or late fees.
Pros And Cons Of Student Loans
Before taking out a student loan, it’s important to understand the pros and cons.
Pros
- Can help cover the cost of higher education
- Flexible repayment options
- Some loans offer loan forgiveness or discharge options
Cons
- Must be repaid with interest
- This can lead to high levels of debt
- Defaulting on a loan can have serious consequences, including wage garnishment and damage to credit scores
Conclusion
Student loans can be valuable for financing higher education but should be used wisely.
Understanding the types of loans available, how to apply for them, and what to consider when choosing a loan can help you make an informed decision.
Consider your long-term financial goals and explore your options before taking out a student loan.
Business
PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.
(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.
This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.
Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.
Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.
The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.
Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.
Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.
The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.
Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.
Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.
Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.
Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.
Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”
Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.
The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.
Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.
The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.
Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”
Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.
The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.
Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.
The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:
SOURCE: CNBC
SEE ALSO:
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
Business
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.
This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.
For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.
This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.
Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”
This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.
This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.
Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.
Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.
Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.
This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.
It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.
Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”
This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.
We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.
Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.
SOURCE: THBL
SEE ALSO:
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
States Sue TikTok, Claiming Its Platform Is Addictive And Harms The Mental Health Of Children
Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight
Business
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.
According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
SOURCE | AP
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