The Lawrence branch is temporarily closed due to an auto accident that occurred on Saturday, May 10. Members are welcome to visit any of our other locations, including branches in Methuen and North Andover. Click for more information.

BrightBridge Credit Union
Auto & Personal Credit Card Mortgage & Home Equity Undergraduate, Graduate, & Refi Commercial Loans & Lines

Online Banking

Forgot Username?

Forgot Password?

Register

Need Help?

Online Banking

Forgot Username?

Forgot Password?

Register

Need Help?

credit union, scholarship, college, financial aid, university aid, school loans, scholarship awards
Home / News & Financial Education / Student Loan Help
Student Loan HelpBy Chris O'Shea on 2/25/2025

Student Loan Help

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to explore ways to help your college-bound student manage their expenses and understand their loans.

Talk It Out

The first thing you should do is sit down and discuss the many different college costs, including the following:

  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Food
  • Books
  • Fees

Paying for college can be a difficult concept for many students to understand, so dealing with discrepancies in costs between schools can be helpful—especially the differences between public and private schools.

Split It Up

Talk about what you are willing to pay or borrow for and what your child is responsible for while getting as granular as possible.

Take Advantage of Financial Support

Higher education is pricey! Thankfully, there are resources that can ease the burden, including:

  • Scholarships: Explore scholarships, such as MVCU’s Scholarship Awards offering over $26,000 in scholarships for 2025. These scholarships can help significantly reduce education costs. Don’t hesitate, the deadline to apply is Feb. 28!

Many high schools offer lists of scholarships that are available for graduating seniors. Check with your child’s school to see the additional scholarships they may be eligible for and start applying ASAP.

  • University Aid: Contact the college financial aid center to ask about available offers. You’d be surprised by how many grants exist! With some research, you’ll likely find options that apply to your student’s specific needs.
  • Loans: Even with scholarships and grants, many students still need loans to cover any remaining costs. MVCU offers student loan solutions to help fill the gap, and federal loans are another option worth considering.

Preparing for college is equally exciting and daunting as you and your child prepare to take on new expenses and responsibilities. Utilizing the resources available to you can help ease the financial burden and allow you to get the most out of the college experience! BrightBridge is here to help.

Learn more and apply for our 2025 Scholarship Awards at https://www.brightbridge.com/scholarship.

Learn More

 

  • Share:

Category: College Bound



« Return to "Blog"

You may also like:

MVCU, savings
2/15/2024

Unlocking Financial Goals: The Power of Club Accounts

Need a smart strategy to save on essential school supplies? Planning your dream vacation or gearing up for the holiday season? With a club account, you can save for essential school supplies, exciting vacations, and joyful holiday celebrations, making your financial goals more attainable and stress-free.

Read more

By merrimackCollege Bound
MVCU, Taxes, Filing taxes, Tax tips
3/7/2024

Preparing for Tax Season

Now is the moment to turn your attention to your tax obligations. With less than 60 days remaining until the tax deadline now is a good time to prepare your documents and file.

Read more

By merrimackCollege Bound
credit union, scholarship, college, financial aid, university aid, school loans, scholarship awards
2/25/2025

Student Loan Help

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to explore ways to help your college-bound student manage their expenses and understand their loans.

Read more

By Chris O'SheaCollege Bound
credit union, saving, savings account, emergency savings, tax return, taxes, holiday savings, investing
4/14/2025

Make the Most of Your Tax Return

Tax season is over, and that means that tax refund season is beginning! Before you spend that bonus check, take a moment to think about how it can benefit you in the long run. Whether you want to build savings, pay off debt, or invest and grow your retirement fund, your refund is a chance to strengthen your financial future.

Here are some strategies for handling your refund wisely.

Read more

By Raquel TolmanCollege Bound
credit union, saving, savings account, emergency savings, holiday savings, investing
4/14/2025

How to Save to Meet all Your Goals — Both Big and Small

Saving money can feel overwhelming, especially when there are multiple goals to achieve. Whether it’s a short-term goal like a vacation or a long-term goal like buying a home, having a plan can make all the difference.

Read more

By BrightBridgeCollege Bound
credit union, finances, financial wellness, budgeting, savings, Holiday Savings,
5/2/2025

Spring Clean Your Finances

Spring has sprung and that means it’s time to review your finances! There’s really no bad time to do a money check-up, but why not tack it on to your regular spring cleaning routine? Here are some steps to take to make sure your finances are in order.

Read more

By Raquel TolmanCollege Bound
credit union, finances, financial wellness, budgeting, savings, Holiday Savings,
5/2/2025

Saving on Summer Vacation

Summer is right around the corner! Before you know it, you’ll be running through sprinklers and complaining about the humidity. You may also be taking a vacation. That means the time is now to figure out ways to make the trip more affordable. Here are some ways to save on summer vacation:

Read more

By Raquel TolmanCollege Bound