Resources

Articles

Want to learn about paying off student loans, or are you interested in investing? Read below any of these articles.

• How I paid off $76,000 in 19 months 

• EARNING How I paid off $100,000 in student loans

• Help with Student Loans

• How to Pay Off Student Loans - Fast!

• Cybersecurity

• Top 10 Investment Tips for College Students

4th Year Students

The articles below is a goldmine of resources that 4th year students might find helpful.

Great Advise for Grads 

Paying off Student Loans

Scholarships

Prestigious Scholarships, Fellowships and Funding 

Fellowships by Field 

MyScholly.com

Tips for Scholarship Searching 

Student Loans, Education and Tips

Student Loan 101

Student Financial Aid - how it works

5 Types of Student Loans

Different Types of Federal Student Loans

NGPF Video Library for all things money

Jump$tart Florida

How to Prepare for College

Scholarships

Applying for Student Aid

Student Loan Relief

Borrowed Future-a podcast on the impact of student loans on your future

Future Salary and Career

Base Salary + equity 

How to weigh job benefits 

6 Steps to Salary Negotiation 

6 Steps to Benchmarking your Salary 

8 Components of a Good Financial Plan

Don't find your dream job, find your mission 

Student Discounts

The following are discounts offered to college students in Florida. Discounts are subject to change at anytime without notice. Please use caution when providing personal information to vendors.

• 1st Bella Nails & Spa: 15% off all service.  Must have Student ID.  6752 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, FL. 941-794-1296

• 5 Star Pizza: 15% discount with ID

• 1-800 Contacts: Students get 10% off after verifying their student status.

• Academic Superstore: Up to 85% off on software for students

• Adobe: Students save up to 60% on Creative Cloud

• Adidas: Adidas provides students with a student discount code to use at Adidas online after registering and verifying student status.

• Allstate: Allstate Insurance provides a Smart Student Discount of up to 35% for full-time students under the age of 25 who meet certain GPA requirements.

• Amazon Prime: Students receive up to 50% off Prime membership

• AMC Theaters: Show your Student ID at the box office for discounted tickets.

• American Eagle: Students can shop American Eagle with a 20% student discount in store and online.

• Apple: The Apple student discount offers special education pricing on Apple products to college students, parents buying for a college student, teachers, administrators and staff, and students who have just been accepted to college.

• Apple Music: 50% off your Adobe Music subscription

• Arby’s: At participating locations, get 10% off your order with a student ID.

• AT&T: 15% discount

• ASOS: Students get a special 10% student discount code after completing a student validation form.

• Barrel & Bean Wellen Park: Students get 10% discount with an SCF ID. 12275 Mercado Dr, Venice, FL.

• Banana Republic: 15% off full price for students

• Best Buy: Discount varies with .edu email address

• Brooks Brothers: Brooks Brothers gives students a 15% discount in-stores with valid college ID.

• Buffalo Wild Wings: At participating locations, get 10% off your order with an ID.

• Burger King: Students get 10% off with an ID at participating locations.

• Calvin Klein: Students get an extra 10% off at Calvin Klein after registering their college email.

• Champion: Students can save an additional 10% on online orders at Champion after verifying student status.

• Chick Fil A: Free drink with each purchase with ID at participating locations

• Cole Haan: Teachers and students get 20% off at Cole Haan after registering with a valid .EDU address.

• Dickies: Students get a special 10% discount when shopping at Dickies.

• Dell: Students save an additional 5% on Dell-brand and 3% on non-Dell brand electronics and accessories

• Dockers: Dockers offers discounts for students of 25% off online purchases. Students must register to get discount.

• Dr Martens: Students can get a 15% discount at drmartens.com after registering and verifying student status.

• Eddie Bauer: At this time, Eddie Bauer currently offers a 15% educator's discount in retail stores.

• Express: Express provides students with a discount coupon after verifying student status.

• Farmers Insurance: Full-time students under the age of 25 who carry a 3.0 GPA or better are eligible for the Farmers Good Student Discount of 30% off.

• FedEx: 30% off documents and 20% off shipping

• Forever 21: Students get a discount code for 10% off their purchase after registering and verify student status.

• GAP: 15% off in store purchases

• GEICO: Full-time students with a B average or better can save up to 15% on select coverages thanks to the GEICO Good Student Discount.

• Goodwill: Many Goodwill locations will offer a 10-20% discount for students on special days of the week.

• GoPro: Students can get 20% off all cameras and accessories at GoPro after registering and verifying student status.

• Greyhound Bus: 10% off travel with Student Advantage card

• H&M: Students shopping at H&M can get a 15% discount after verifying their student status online.

• Hanes: College students can get an additional 10% off when shopping at Hanes.com.

• Hollister: Hollister provides a 10% student discount after registering and verifying student status online.

• HP: Discounts up to 15% at the HP Home & Home Office Store

• J.Crew: College students and teachers can show college ID at any J.Crew store and receive 15% off full-price in-store purchases.

• Jiffy Lube: All Jiffy Lube service centers are independently owned and operated, so student discount may vary, but many locations will provide a 10% discount to students.

• Jockey: Jockey gives students a 10% discount with valid college ID.

• Kate Spade: Students can get 15% off at Kate Spade after joining the student program and verifying student status.

• Kenneth Cole: Get 20% off full-price, in-store purchases with an ID.

• Lenovo: Lenovo offers college students and teachers a special 15-20% discount on new laptops.

• Levi’s: College students can get a 25% discount coupon for Levi's online after verifying their student status.

• Logitech: Students can get a 25% discount on Logitech products after registering and verifying student status.

• Manatee Family YMCA: $5 off student membership with ID.

• McDonald’s: At participating locations, receive 10% off your order with an ID.

• Microsoft: 10% off, plus free shipping

• Moleskine: Get a 15% student discount on Moleskine products after registering and verifying current student status.

• Motorola: Students can get a 10% discount on products at Motorola.com after registering and verifying current student status.

• Nationwide Insurance: Nationwide offer a Good Student Discount for drivers 16 to 24 with a minimum B average.

• New Balance: Students can save an additional 15% after registering and obtaining a student discount code from New Balance.

• Nike: Students get 10% off at Nike.com after verifying student eligibility.

• Peachwave Yogurt: Students get a 10% discount with SCF ID. Valid at Venice location: 12157 Mercado Dr, Venice, FL. 

• Penske: Penske gives college students a 10% discount on truck rentals along with free unlimited one-way miles.

• Pizza Hut: Show your ID and get 10-20% off your pizza. Discount varies by location.

• PUMA: Students can get a discount code for 10% off purchases at PUMA.com.

• Reebok: Current students get 20% off their entire order at Reebok. Simply verify with a college email address.

• Regal: Discounted tickets at select movie theaters. Discount varies by location.

• Sams Club: Pay $45 get $15 ecard

• Samsung: Join the Samsung Student & Educator Discount Program with your .edu email address and you'll receive offers and exclusive discounts on the latest Samsung products.

• State Farm: Students with good grades can qualify for the Good Student Discount and save up to 25% on auto insurance.

• Spotify: $4.99 per month for students

• Smoothie King: 20% off Tuesdays.  Must show ID. Locations on Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach, 53rd Ave, Lockwood Ridge/70

• Sunglass Hut: Students and teachers get a 15% discount at Sunglass Hut.

• T-Mobile: Discounts vary with promos - best to contact T-Mobile directly

• Targus: Targus offers discounts to college students and teachers on laptop bags, tablet cases, docking stations, and computer accessories. Receive 25% off your entire order at Targus.com after verifying your status online.

• TOMS: Toms offers students a 10% discount on full-priced items.

• Travelers Insurance: Travelers offers a Good Student Discount and a Student Away at School Discount.

• UGG: Students can get an extra 10% off UGG Closet after verifying their student status.

• Under Armour: Students shopping at Under Armour can get a discount code for an extra 20% off after registering.

• Verizon: 19% discount for students and staff

• Vineyard Vines: Vineyard Vines gives students 15% off purchases online and at participating retail locations.

• Waffle House: Students get 10% off with an ID at participating locations.

• West Elm (Décor): Students and teachers get 15% off at West Elm on furniture, decor, and accessories.

Emergency Fund Request

Requesting Emergency Assistance

When a student decides to apply for funding, the student will first meet with the Financial Success Coach or another member of the New College Emergency Fund Committee. After the initial meeting and the student submits their application, the New College Emergency Fund Committee will meet to review and determine the amount of funding, if approved. After the committee meeting, the student will be notified in an in-person meeting. Based on the student’s self-disclosed financial crisis, the Financial Success Coach or another appropriate member of the Student Support Team and/or New College Emergency Fund Committee will guide the student through the process as well as the emergency or crisis situation. Requests for emergency assistance are considered on the basis of what is recognized as an emergency by the committee. As such, the New College Emergency Fund Committee considers each request separately. The fund is sustained by monetary contributions.

Criteria for Applying to New College Emergency Fund

• Be an actively enrolled New College of Florida student. 

• Be able to demonstrate an urgent financial need. (Supporting documentation will be required).

• Appropriate documentation includes eviction/foreclosure notice, utility cut-off notice, medical bill, etc. and all must be submitted with the application.

• Must have exhausted all sources of financial assistance and financial aid.

Recognized Emergency Categories

Requests for emergency assistance will be considered on the basis of what is recognized as an emergency, in the following categories:

1. Food: when the food pantry is not an option because of closure, the student has expended their food allotment, or is in greater need (i.e., supporting a family.)

2. Shelter: this includes possible eviction from present housing; in extreme cases, rent assistance on housing when legitimately unable to make a payment on own; to aid in case of disaster.

3. Utilities: to prevent utilities from being disconnected during an emergency situation. (Phone bills are not considered a utility.)

4. Transportation: to aid in costly repairs only when car is necessary to continue employment; aid not to include car payments, insurance premiums, taxes or normal maintenance and repair charges.

5. Deaths: to aid in travel expenses surrounding the death of immediate family (spouse, mother, father, child, legal guardian, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, sister.)

6. Medical: to aid students in a recent medical emergency not reimbursable by insurance or where insurance coverage does not apply. Routine preventative health expenses are not eligible.

7. Other: pending approval, must provide explanation.
   *These are general guidelines and each request will be reviewed by the Committee.  

Application Process

The first step in the application process is to schedule to meet with Ceci Linton, the Financial Success Coach to discuss your situation. Using this link, schedule a time that works for you.

After an initial meeting with the Financial Success Coach or another member of the New College Emergency Fund Committee, the student will complete the online application form and supply necessary additional documentation. Applicants may be required to submit additional supporting documentation as deemed necessary by the Committee to receive final approval of the request. All funds awarded will be disbursed to the student via check or third party vendor pending committee decision. Receipts may be required from a vendor if paid directly to the vendor.

Students are required to provide proof of financial hardship such as bank statements, bills, shelter documentation, and/or legal notices providing evidence of their financial emergency. Additionally, each student’s financial records will be reviewed.

Application for Emergency Fund Request 

Federal Benefits Program

Child Tax Credit 

The American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the 2021 Child Tax Credit to support families with children. Eligible individuals may receive up to $3,600 for each child under age 6 and up to $3,000 for each child ages 6 through 17. 

To get money to families quickly, during 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) paid half of the credit as monthly payments— up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 for each child ages 6 through 17. Eligible families will receive the other half by claiming the child tax credit when filing their 2021 federal income tax return in 2022. Most families can receive the full amount—even families with little to no income. Students are likely eligible for the full amount if they: 

have children under age 18 who lived with them for more than half of 2021; and 

are either a single parent making less than $112,500 or are married and the couple makes less than $150,000. 

Most parents should have received the tax credit automatically, but if for some reason they did not and they are eligible, then they should receive the full amount of the credit when they file their income tax return. The credit is fully refundable, meaning that even those who do not owe any taxes can claim the full amount and get a payment back equal to the full amount of the credit. 

Recovery Rebate Credit / Economic Impact Payment 

Students who did not receive an Economic Impact Payment under the American Rescue Plan, and on whose behalf as a dependent a payment was not made, could be eligible for a $1,400 per-person Recovery Rebate Credit when they file taxes in 2022. To be eligible for the full amount, a student would typically have to be: 

single and make less than $75,000/year; 

the head of a household and make less than $112,500/year; or 

married and the couple together makes less than $150,000. 

For more information on eligibility, visit the IRS website  on Economic Impact Payments. If students are eligible and haven’t filed a 2020 income tax return, filing a 2020 return will allow the IRS to automatically pay students the first two economic impact payments they may have missed (by filling in the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit line of the 2020 income tax return). If students are eligible for the third impact payment of up to $1,400 per person and haven’t received them, they should claim it by filing a 2021 income tax return in 2022 and claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit. Students claimed as a dependent for tax purposes are ineligible for economic impact payments on their own dependent portion of the economic impact payment. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

Students may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a Federal program that provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of low-income individuals and families so they can purchase healthy food. Eligible students can use SNAP benefits to buy food for their households, including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, and other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Generally, students attending an Institute of Higher Education half-time or more are not eligible for SNAP unless they meet certain requirements, such as working 20 hours per week or caring for a child. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily added two new provisions allowing eligibility for students who have an expected family contribution (EFC) of zero (0) or who are eligible to participate in State or Federally funded work study. These temporary provisions are in effect until 30 days after the end of the Federal COVID-19 public health emergency. 

In many States, students can apply online, in-person, by phone, or by mail. Students can find their local office or State SNAP webpage using the SNAP State Directory of Resources . For more information about student eligibility and other student exemptions, visit the SNAP Students webpage . 

Affordable Connectivity Program 

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act modified and extended the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) to a longer-term broadband affordability program called the Affordable Connectivity Program. The aim of this $14.2 billion program is to provide eligible low-income households, especially households with students, with access to broadband service at an affordable rate. Students who received a Pell Grant are one category of people who are eligible for the subsidy. Eligible households can receive a benefit of up to $30 off their monthly internet bill (or up to $75 per month if the household resides on qualifying Tribal lands). Students can apply here  starting on December 31, 2021. Households that were fully enrolled in the EBBP by December 31st will continue to receive their current monthly benefit until March 1, 2022. Some participating providers are also offering an additional one-time benefit of up to $100 off a connected device (desktop computer, laptop, or tablet) supplied by that participating provider. Households are required to contribute more than $10 but less than $50 toward that connected device. 

Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan. There are three ways for eligible households to apply: 

1. Contact a participating broadband provider  directly to learn about their application process. If an eligible household is unable to apply directly, it may apply by using option 2 or 3 below, and then contacting a participating provider to select a service plan. 

2. Go to ACPbenefit.org  to apply online and to find local participating providers. After applying, contact a participating provider to select a service plan.

3. Call (877) 384-2575 for a mail-in application or print a copy, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to: 

Affordable Connectivity Program Support Center 

P.O. Box 7081 

London, KY 40742 

To receive this benefit, a student will need to provide documentation that the student received a Federal Pell Grant for the current award year. The student may provide along with their application a screenshot from the student’s StudentAid.gov  profile that displays their receipt of the Federal Pell Grant or other records provided by the Institute of Higher Education to serve as that documentation. 

Health Insurance Enrollment 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded access to high quality, affordable health insurance through the ACA health insurance marketplaces, such as HealthCare.gov, and Medicaid. The American Rescue Plan  (ARP) temporarily expanded the financial assistance available for individuals buying their own health insurance through the ACA health insurance marketplaces, saving 

individuals, on average, $50 per month. Four out of five enrollees will be able find a plan for $10 or less per month after the ARP’s expanded financial assistance is applied. Individuals who enroll in health coverage through Medicaid will have access to free or low-cost quality, health care. 

Other Federal Assistance 

Unemployment Insurance  

If students have become unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements of State law, they may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. 

Unemployment insurance payments (benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who meet the requirements of State law. 

Each State administers a separate unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by Federal law. 

Eligibility for unemployment insurance, benefit amounts, and the length of time benefits are available are determined by the State law under which unemployment insurance claims are established. 

Students can contact their State Unemployment Insurance agency  as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.

Housing Assistance  

The American Rescue Plan expanded numerous COVID-19 housing supports for homeowners, renters and landlords who may be struggling to pay their rent or mortgage. We encourage IHEs to inform students about the Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) and local Emergency Rental Assistance programs. Links to available resources and applications are available through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau .