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Frequently Asked Questions: Community College 02/05/2015 07:00pm • Overview1. What is a community college? Community colleges are primarily public higher education institutions that strive to provide affordable and accessible educational opportunities to all. An associate degree, which takes about two years to complete full time, is usually the highest degree av How to Find Your Financial Soul Mate 02/05/2015 07:00pm • Maybe it sounds shallow to size up a romantic prospect by guessing his or her earning potential. But who could blame you, when study after study has found that money disagreements are a major source of relationship tension? Just think of all the money issues that crop up in a serious relationship - 3 Ways Money Leaks Out of Your 401(k) 02/05/2015 07:00pm • Many people dip into their 401(k)s before retirement when they change jobs or experience a financial emergency. Workers who take early withdrawals from their retirement accounts often never replace the money and end up with significantly less cash in retirement. A recent Center for Retirement Resear College Savings Plans Pros, Cons for Financial Newbies 02/05/2015 07:00pm • Before their son had even turned a year old, Rachel and Stan Revelle began making plans to save for his college education. "Both my husband and I went to Notre Dame and Notre Dame is pretty expensive," said Rachel Revelle, who lives in Ashburn, Virginia. "When you calculate how much you need to sa Prepare for Medical, Law School in High School 02/05/2015 07:00pm • It's hard to commit to a career before you've picked a date for prom, but teens who plan to attend medical or law school can benefit from creating a financial and academic framework before they apply to college. Money is a significant concern when it comes to earning an advanced degree. College gra 3 Reasons to Refinance Now 02/04/2015 07:00pm • If you're going to refinance, do it now, many mortgage experts say. Why? Because interest rates are near historic lows, and while it's possible they could go lower, it's also possible rates will begin creeping up. On Jan. 29, Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage w 5 Myths About Parent Information on the FAFSA 02/04/2015 07:00pm • On Jan. 1 each year, students can begin submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the upcoming academic year. While you can usually get federal financial aid up until the last day of classes, it does pay to get your FAFSA in early. That's because schools use the information from th Creative ways Americans can buy a home 02/04/2015 07:00am • The recession caused many Americans to rethink whether homeownership truly is the American dream, yet a fair number of them still prefer owning to renting. In fact, a 2013 survey commissioned by the MacArthur Foundation found that more than 7 in 10 renters hope to own some day. But with stagnant wag New ethics rules to be taken up Wednesday 02/03/2015 05:52pm • WASHINGTON -- New ethics rules tied to former Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell’s corruption conviction will be taken up Wednesday in Richmond, as some critics of a bill to change Dominion Power rate rules separately raise questions about the General Assembly’s own conflict-of-interest rules. Sen. Frank Can I Afford to Send My Child to Private School? 02/02/2015 07:00pm • Sure as the Earth orbits the sun, private school will always be expensive. But if you want to send your kids to private school, and money is a concern, can you swing it and is it worth it? Yes, no, maybe. Everyone is going to have opinions about whether private school is necessary, and how much is The Difference Between Credit Cards and Charge Cards 02/01/2015 07:00pm • When it comes to paying with plastic, credit cards aren't the only game in town. If you'd like to build your credit score while reducing the risk of getting in debt, you might want to consider a charge card. While similar in some ways, charge cards and credit cards each offer unique features. Here's What to Know About Employer Tuition Benefits for College 02/01/2015 07:00pm • Darby Conley had a few false starts on her path to a college degree. "Over the course of last 10 years, I have started online classes and gone to local colleges," she says. "My job is demanding. My children are very demanding. I could never find the right flexible balance." When her employer Anthe McAuliffe reports gifts valued less than predecessors 01/30/2015 02:48pm • WASHINGTON - Since taking office last January, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has accepted gifts that are far less costly than either of his two predecessors did during their first year in office. McAuliffe instituted a $100 gift cap for himself, his family and his staff immediately after he was s What most Americans will -- and should -- do with their tax refunds 01/30/2015 08:14am • WASHINGTON -- Are you thinking about tax time yet? It’s not too soon. For most of us, it means a refund, and a dilemma often accompanies the windfall: Should I blow it on something fun or use it wisely? Of course, you should do something responsible with the money, and most Americans respond Experts Debate Graduation Rates for Online Students 01/29/2015 07:00pm • Prospective students have a variety of factors to think about when they're choosing their online programs: accreditation, faculty credentials and prestige, among others. Graduation rates rarely make the top of the list. And experts are divided on whether they should. The public can be forgiven fo