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Melanie Lockert on Muck Rack

Melanie Lockert

Verified
New York
As seen in: Apple Podcasts, CNN, CNN Underscored, Medium, MSN, Business Insider, Business Insider Nordic, Business Insider Singapore, Buy Side WSJ, HuffPost and
💰 Writer, creator: Dear Debt, paid off $81k 🧠 Host @mentalhandw show 🧚‍♀️ Founder @lolaretreat 👀 Featured in NY Times & Marketwatch

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Articles

How Much Does the Average Bachelor's Degree Cost?

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By Melanie Lockert Verified
| Credible
The average cost of a bachelor’s degree is $123,960, but it can vary by the type of school, residency, major, living arrangements, and more. Applying for federal and state financial aid can help reduce college costs. While average tuition costs have increased, institutional aid can also provide assistance. The average bachelor's degree cost varies widely by school type and whether you qualify for in-state tuition. But the average cost of college can reach six figures for four years of school.
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When the four d’s hit: How to survive a financial freefall after 50

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By Melanie Lockert Verified
| Aol Verified
Death, divorce, diagnosis, disability—one crisis can torch your finances overnight. For women over 50, resilience isn’t a buzzword. It’s the difference between stability and starting over. You’ve worked hard. Paid your dues. Finally, you can exhale deeply—or so you think. And then one of the Four D’s hits like one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, threatening to upend your financial security. One life-altering event or bit of bad news, and all your plans go up in smoke. Your retirement fantasy?
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Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans and 2026 Changes

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By Melanie Lockert Verified
| Credible
IDR plans base federal student loan payments on income and family size. RAP is the only IDR option for borrowers who receive a new federal loan on or after July 1, 2026. PAYE and ICR are being phased out and will end on  July 1, 2028, while IBR remains available to certain borrowers with older loans. Parent PLUS borrowers have limited access to income-driven repayment plans.
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