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Money Management

Your education is a great investment. Start managing that investment by acquiring money management skills that will help you make sound financial decisions.

Get Organized

Gain control over your finances.

• • Make a Spending Plan
    To live more comfortably, do the things you enjoy, and still be able to eat well, develop a spending plan for the school year. Use our Budget Worksheet to organize your finances.
  • Why choose Federal Aid first?
    Know your borrowing choices and the advantages to choosing Federal Loan Aid first!
  • Borrow Wisely
    Use this repayment calculator to determine your loan repayment amount.
  • Salary Projector
    An excellent way to manage your borrowing in college is to first determine what your starting salary will be. Use the Bureau of Labor Salary chart for starting salaries of over 100 careers.
  • Know your total loan debt
    Use the National Student Loan Database to keep track of your total loans borrowed during your college career.
  • Value of a College Education
    Education requirements for employment on the rise
  • Keep debt levels manageable
    How much income does it take to support your loan debt? Use the debt wizard to find out.

Make Wise Credit Choices

Learn to manage your debt.

• Set Financial Goals
  Healthy financial habits tart with setting sound financial goals. Use this Financial Goals Worksheet as a guide.
• Credit Card Tips
  Tips to help you properly manage credit cards.
• Credit Card Blog
  Increase your credit savvy by using this credit card blog from nerdwallet.com

Responsible Borrowing and Loan Repayment

Financial problems can be avoided. Prevent loan default.

• Plan your debt wisely
  Knowing how much debt your future salary can handle is your best bet at avoiding over-borrowing.
• Trouble with Repayment
  If you have trouble with repayment of your loans contact Direct Loans immediately
• Tips to Avoid Default and Delinquency
  Loan Default and Delinquency is a preventable situation, learn about how to avoid Loan Default or Delinquency
• Why choose Federal Aid first?
  Know your borrowing choices and the advantages to choosing Federal Loan Aid first!
• College Investment vs. Debt
  Recent research shows that college benefits still outweigh the costs
• Access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) for loan information (including who to contact regarding repayment info)
  • Who is my Loan Servicer?
  • A Students Guide to NSLDS  
  • Contact NSLDS by phone or email

Get Help

Deal with problems right away.

• Direct Loan Login
  Manage your loans by logging into Direct Loans, learn about options for repayment
• Managing Debt 101
  Get advice on managing debt, learn the basics of debt management
• Ten Things You Should Know About Student Loans
  Understanding basic loan principles may help you avoid trouble in the future
• Student Loan Repayment Plans
  Familiarize yourself with loan repayment options
• Trouble Making Payments?
  Learn about deferment and forbearance options
• Direct-Loans Consolidation and Cancellation
  Learn about who qualifies for Loan Cancellation or how to start the Loan Consolidation process

Live Like a Student

Creative ways to enjoy life on a student budget.

• Tips to live like a College Student 
• Albuquerque Area Coupons
  Free and discounted activities in the ABQ area
• Lobo Perks
  Save a HOWL lot of money with lobo perks, discounts for UNM students
• Student Employment Jobs
  Working while in school can help offset college costs, check out Student Employment jobs
• Free things to do on Campus
  UNM's Student Activities Center has free and discounted events on campus for UNM students

Scams and Fraud

Avoid scams and fraud with these tips

• Avoid Identity Theft
  Helpful hints to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft
• Scholarship Scams
  Warning signs of scholarship scams
• FAFSA Scams
  FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, completing the application should not cost you any money