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It’s estimated that close to $100 million in scholarships go unclaimed each year and $2 billion in student grants go unclaimed. Typically, the money is not awarded due to lack of applicants. This is good news for students — as those that are willing to put in the time to search for scholarships and grants should be able to find at least a few to help pay their way through college.

The beauty of scholarships and grants is that you almost never need to pay them back. Who doesn’t love gifts? But acquiring them will take at least a little effort.

Where Do You Find Unclaimed Scholarships?

You don’t have to be a 4.0 student or a star athlete to receive scholarships. In fact, the average high school student is eligible for 50-100 different types of scholarships each year. But, scholarships aren’t just going to come to you. You have to be the one to put in the work to find scholarships you qualify for and apply for them.

One of the best ways to find scholarships you are eligible for is through a scholarship search. Scholarship searches are offered by a variety of companies and allow you to filter the scholarships based on your specific qualifications, including your state, area of study, background, ethnicity, and more. Scholarship searches are one of the quickest ways to find quality scholarships throughout the country.

Other ways to find unclaimed scholarships include asking your specific college or university what they offer, using the library’s recommendation section, reaching out to businesses in your field of study, speaking to your high school counselor, and asking religious organizations if they offer scholarships.

Regardless of which methods you use to find scholarships nobody applies for, the reality is they are out there waiting for students to apply for and claim them.

Recommended: Search Grants and Scholarships by State

Two Types of Aid to Lay Claim To

Financial aid can be need-based or merit-based.

Need-Based Aid

Federal need-based aid is determined by the Student Aid Index, or SAI (formerly called the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC) as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

The Pell Grant, the Department of Education’s biggest grant program, is geared toward students who demonstrate significant financial need, but the total cost of attendance at a particular college also plays a role. The maximum Pell Grant amount for the 2023-2024 academic year is $7,395.

Any student who could use college financial aid has nothing to lose by filling out the FAFSA. And even if you are not eligible for federal aid, realize that most states and schools use FAFSA information to award nonfederal aid, too.

One way to find nonfederal financial aid is to fill out the CSS Profile, which determines eligibility for institutional awards and grants. The CSS Profile awards billions in nonfederal aid to college students each year and can be a great way to find unclaimed scholarships.

Recommended: How to Complete the FAFSA

Merit Aid

Merit scholarships are not based on financial need and are awarded by colleges, employers, individuals, businesses, nonprofits, states, religious groups, and professional and social organizations to academic or athletic achievers, as most of us are aware, but merit aid also may be determined by community involvement, level of dedication to a field of study, race, gender, teacher recommendations, and other criteria.

So who is the biggest source of “free money?” Colleges, according to a recent College Board Trends in Student Aid Report. The U.S. Department of Education awards $46 billion annually in scholarships, and thanks to competition to attract students, nearly every college and university in the country offers merit-based aid in some form.

To find unclaimed scholarships, you could start by thinking about all the ways you have, well, merit — making lists of opportunities and eligibility criteria, and pursuing only the scholarships you’re best qualified for.

Why Would Any Scholarships Go Unclaimed?

So is it true there are obscure scholarships left unclaimed? There is no database that can give precise answers, but it makes sense that when specific parameters exist around a particular scholarship, fewer students will qualify.

For example, scholarships exist for North Korean refugees who are permanently living in the United States. Applicants must have been born in North Korea or the child of someone born in North Korea.

Let’s say you don’t fit those parameters. Other unusual opportunities include the following:

•   If you dazzle your friends with your ability to make prom outfits using only duct tape, then you could win a $10,000 Stuck at Prom scholarship. Seriously.

•   Or maybe you have the best plan ever to survive the zombie apocalypse. If so, you could apply for the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship offered by Unigo ($2,000).

•   If you live in the Phoenix area and you’re a tall graduating senior, you could be interviewed and measured for the chance to gain all of $250 through the CATS Tall Club program.

While you may not qualify for any of the above-mentioned scholarships, these are just examples of how many are actually out there. You may be surprised at what you find (and what you do actually qualify for!) when conducting your search.

Keeping an Eye Out for Scholarship Scams

Plenty of scholarship and grant money for college is out there waiting to be claimed. Unfortunately, though, there are also financial aid scams, including scholarships that aren’t legitimate. The Department of Education offers tips to protect yourself, including:

•   Know that you don’t need to pay to find scholarships or any other form of financial aid.

•   Check information about scholarship offers at a public library and/or online.

•   Talk to the financial aid department at your college of choice to verify legitimacy.

Also, before students begin a search, they may want to be aware of “scholarships” that are actually sweepstakes because their information may be sold to third parties.

The Takeaway

Finding unclaimed scholarships and grants is the ideal way to fund college because this money does not need to be repaid. To cover all the expenses of college, however, many students will then need to take out federal and/or private student loans.

Although private student loans do not carry the benefits and protections of federal student loans, they can fill gaps when you’ve considered all of your federal grant and loan options, but your expenses still exceed your means.

SoFi offers private student loans with competitive rates, flexible repayment options, and no fees. Loans do not need to be repaid while in school, and SoFi offers a six month grace period after graduation.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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The average cost across the United States to install central air conditioning was $5,882 as of mid-2023. That price can, however, fluctuate based on such factors as where you live, the size of your home, and what kind of unit you choose.

For instance, if you live in a 1,500 square foot home in Vermont, your air conditioning needs and costs will likely be quite different vs. those of someone who lives in a 5,000 square foot house in the desert.

Here, learn more about air conditioning costs, your options, and how to get the best possible price if you do choose to install central cooling.

What Factors Play a Role in Installing Central Air?

Many factors go into the cost to install central air conditioning, including the brand of AC you choose, the unit itself, and the overall size of your home. A central air conditioning unit alone can cost thousands of dollars. For instance, a split unit air conditioning unit will typically run between $1,900 and $4,200 on average; a packaged central air conditioning unit will be somewhat more, typically between $2,300 to $5,500. (More in a minute on the difference between these types of systems.)

If you add in the labor of an air conditioner contractor, the cost to install central air ranges from $3,883 and $7,918 on average. But that number can range depending on where you live, the type of AC system your home needs, and the condition of your existing air ducts.

According to HomeAdvisor , these are the average air conditioning unit costs with installation:

💡 Quick Tip: SoFi lets you apply for a personal loan online in 60 seconds, without affecting your credit score.

Pre-Installation Evaluation

Some helpful things to think about when evaluating your home for a new air conditioning system include a careful analysis of how big of a system your living quarters need. The price jumps quickly for larger units, so it’s often smart to make sure you’re not overdoing the cooling capacity for your project.

Ease of access for installing the bulky ducting system of a traditional air conditioning setup is important, so if you have a tight basement or attic crawl space, expect to pay more in labor costs than if you had more room to mount all the equipment and pipes easily.

Also, think about where you’d want to locate the duct feeding into the room. You might have to cut through hardwood or tile, for example, to gain an access point for the air to flow. Or there could be a spot in your house that needs a little more airflow and will therefore require multiple ducts into the room.

Though an AC installation typically just takes one day, if extensive cutting into floors or walls or ductwork is required, it could take several. If this might disrupt your quality of living, you’ll likely want to consider staying with family or friends as your central air is installed — or move into a hotel, the cost of which should factor into your overall air conditioning home renovation budget.

Recommended: Personal Loan vs. Credit Card

Types of AC Units

Affordability and preference help determine the type of air conditioning unit that you’ll need, which affects the overall central air cost. A traditional split system — with air conditioning on one side of the unit, heating on the other — is on the lower end of the pricing range vs. packaged units. In addition, more complex models that include heat-pump, hybrid, and geothermal functionality can run substantially higher.

Ductless air conditioning systems have been around for years and are rapidly entering the U.S. market from overseas. They can offer affordable efficiency as they cool living spaces. Ductless units have a central compressor and fan with standalone wall-mounted units that eliminate the need for ducting. Instead, a wall-mounted fan serves each room independently. Coolant and drainage lines are routed through the wall back to the centralized air conditioning assembly, making for a clean finish.


💡 Quick Tip: With home renovations, surprises are inevitable. Look for a home improvement loan with no fees required — and no surprises.

Ductwork

When planning central air installation, you should consider what kind of ductwork is best for your home. Ductwork falls into two categories — flexible or rigid — with many different options for materials within each. Flexible and rigid ductwork each has its own pros and cons regarding price, lifespan, efficiency, and flexibility.

The cost of ductwork can vary greatly. The national average cost for ductwork is $1,179, but can range from $454 to $2,056 or significantly higher depending on the job specifics.

The cost to replace old ductwork is higher since it involves both removing the existing materials and installing new ductwork.

Recommended: How Much Is My Home Worth?

AC Installation and Labor

While handy types may be tempted to tackle the central air installation on their own, it might be wise to find a contractor who is well-qualified to ensure that the job is done properly.

City codes departments typically require permits for work like central air installation that can be obtained easily by a state-licensed contractor. Handling refrigerant chemicals like Freon™ also require a license .

Many websites offer contractor and price-compare quotes in your area. Angi and Thumbtack both can be good places to start your research. A referral from someone you know also can be a great way to find a vetted air conditioning contractor.

You might also search online communities and neighborhood forums to find a reliable air conditioning contractor. There’s a good chance that someone locally has had similar issues and might be able to recommend a professional contractor to handle your air conditioning installation job.

Recommended: The Top Home Improvements to Increase Your Home’s Value

The Takeaway

The cost to install central air conditioning is, on average, almost $6,000. While that’s a considerable expense, it can include the labor involved in addition to the price of the unit by itself. And it can give you peace of mind knowing you have a new central air system to keep you cool and likely improve the resale value of your home if you plan to list your house or refinance in the future. For this reason, it may be wise to look into your financing options, such as taking out a personal loan.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

Photo credit: iStock/Pramote2015

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SOPL0623076

The average cost of finishing a basement in 2023 is $22,850, but there is a huge variation in pricing depending on your specific project. Of course, the square footage makes a difference, as does the particular configuration of your basement, as well as whether you are simply finishing the space for storage purposes or adding an extra bedroom and bathroom as living space.

Whatever your goal, you will most likely increase the resale value of your home while adding to your usable space. The following guide will help you understand the considerations, the cost, and how to get the work done.

The Costs of Finishing a Basement

The cost of finishing a basement has a lot of variables, as most home upgrades do. Weighing what you can afford versus what you want is critical here. While it might be nice to have all the bells and whistles of a sky-is-the-limit home renovation, there are many things that will affect the bottom line during a reconstruction event like finishing a basement.

The national average cost of finishing a basement is $22,850, but there’s a wide range (as there is with the cost of home remodeling projects of all kinds). In this case, it can swing from $4,700 to $41,000. Your number could rise based on where you live and whether you plan to add features such as running water, custom cabinets, or countertops.

Ultimately, the final cost to finish a basement depends on how extensive the work is, as well as the square footage in the planned remodel. Typically, a small basement is considered to be a 300- to 700-square-foot space. Do you have more than 2,000 square feet to finish? Then that’s an oversized amount of space.

According to the home improvement site Angi, a simple process of finishing a basement will cost between $7 and $23 per square foot. However, if you are doing a full remodel, you can expect to spend $30 to $75 per square foot.

You can also use online tools to help you estimate the cost of your remodeling project.


💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. One question can save you many dollars.

How to Plan Your Basement Project

The first thing you need to think about when finishing a basement is how you primarily plan to use the space. If it’s mostly for storage, you’ll want to include closets, cabinetry, and a shelving system in your plans.

Or do you intend to use it as a bonus room or lounge? If your basement’s primary function is as a gathering space, you’ll want to wire it so that you have internet, cable, and plenty of lighting and outlets.

Due to their subterranean nature, basements also require waterproofing. The below-grade format of a basement demands special attention be paid to exterior drainage, interior surface materials, and air ventilation, in addition to ensuring a safe way to exit the space during an emergency, like an egress window.

With proper planning, it’s possible to mitigate some of the major expenses associated with building below ground, so do your homework before the rainy season comes. Local government code departments often have building standards to guide the process.

As part of your efforts to keep the finished basement dry, you’ll probably want to install a sump pump for extreme weather events. Built into the floor with an automatic pump, sump pumps give peace of mind for when you’re out of town or have an excess of rainfall.

If you’re finishing a basement to use as an apartment or in-law suite, you’ll need added features like a bathroom and kitchenette. Installing both a bathroom and kitchenette can quickly cause the price to mount with the added costs of cabinets, countertops, appliances, and fixtures, so weigh the decision to add those features carefully against how much use you think they will truly get. Or consider going the budget route, forgoing top-of-the-line furnishings and appliances, if cost is a concern but you need those spaces to complete your basement.

Recommended: 10-Step Guide to Building Your Own Home

Budget

How much it costs to finish your basement will ultimately come down to the features you add and how the work is done. Consider these factors when making a budget:

•   Labor. This may cost $25 to $100 per hour, and you might also need a plumber or electrician to do some specialized work, which could increase the price (as anyone who’s rewired or needed to pay to fix a plumbing leak knows). Typically, labor costs will be 25% of the total project cost.

•   Permits. According to Angi, getting the proper permits for your project can run between $1,200 and $2,000.

•   Materials. The cost of materials, such as flooring, insulation, and drywall, will make up the bulk of your project budget. Expect to pay anywhere from $5.25 to $21 per square foot depending on the specifics of your remodeling.

Other areas where your basement costs may add up include if you opt for high-end materials, if you hire a professional for interior design assistance with the layout or furnishing plans or if you add furniture to the space.


💡 Quick Tip: With home renovations, surprises are inevitable. Look for a home improvement loan with no fees required — and no surprises.

How to Save Money on Basement Remodeling

There are many ways to save money on basement remodeling, the first being doing the labor yourself. If you’re simply going for a basic basement remodel for storage, this is a project you likely can DIY even without a lot of prior home renovation experience.

You might, for example, want to add corner shelves, install a pegboard system for mounting your tools, or build a wire rack system to store your bulky items — all basement finishing tasks you can tackle yourself without hiring outside labor.

If finishing your basement requires extensive electrical work and/or plumbing, however, you’ll likely want to call in a licensed professional to do that work.

If you’re on a tight budget, you might rethink installing a kitchenette or a bathroom, which are where your basement refinishing costs often add up quickly. A budget-friendly option for cabinetry could be purchasing from a resale shop or using old cabinets from another part of your house that you can refresh with an inexpensive coat of paint.

Recommended: The Top Home Improvements to Increase Your Home’s Value

The Takeaway

A basement remodel could serve multiple purposes — adding living space or storage to your home — while simultaneously improving your quality of life and the resale value of your home. There are a lot of considerations to take into account, including keeping an inherently moist environment dry and comfortable, and additional safety measures that you’ll need to factor into the overall budget. With the average basement finishing project costing almost $23,000, you may also need to consider financing options, such as a personal loan to use for home improvement.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

Photo credit: iStock/PC Photography

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Moving can be stressful. Making sure your fragiles are packed so they don’t break, deciding on a DIY move or hiring professional movers, managing security deposits or down payments on both ends of the move — moving cross country could overwhelm even the most relaxed person.

But there are steps you can take ahead of time to help make the process go more smoothly.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The three Rs aren’t just good environmental stewardship — they’re also essential for planning a cross-country move.

After all, moving is a great time to embrace your inner minimalist and get rid of absolutely everything that’s no longer needed. Not only does decluttering help cut down on moving costs, it also helps you avoid filling up the new place with meaningless stuff.

Instead of just throwing away unwanted goods, trying to find them a new home might give them a second life. Furniture items can be sold online or in consignment stores to raise a bit of extra money for the moving fund, or they can be donated to a thrift store.

Professional clothes that are no longer worn could help someone if donated to a job readiness program. Animal shelters often take donations of old sheets and blankets to make cuddly beds for their charges.

Local freecycle or buy-nothing groups can also be great places to unload unwanted home goods. You never know who has a use for those five dish strainers you’ve somehow accumulated.


💡 Quick Tip: Some lenders can release funds as quickly as the same day your loan is approved. SoFi personal loans offer same-day funding for qualified borrowers.

Pack Like a Pro

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to get packing. Resist the urge to throw everything into a medium-sized box and call it a day. Taking the time to pack up your home like a professional will make moving — and the subsequent unpacking — a whole lot easier.

First, gather your packing supplies. You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of boxes of varying sizes, several rolls of packing tape, large black markers, scissors, a utility knife, and several types of packing materials, like old newspaper, bubble wrap, and even old rags or sheets.

Start by packing up non-essentials, like seasonal home goods, out-of-season clothes, and rarely used kitchen goods.

Make sure to wrap all fragile items in paper or bubble wrap before putting them in boxes. Plates can be packed next to each other vertically, which helps prevent breaking. Likewise, adding a layer of crumbled newsprint or packing paper on the bottom of your box can also help prevent breakage.

Aim to keep each box light enough to lift alone, with heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top. Don’t forget to pack similar items together. No one wants to arrive at their new home and find their dishes somehow got packed next to the cat’s litter box.

Recommended: 21 Items That You Can Recycle for Money

Choose Your Mode of Transportation

One of the most challenging parts of planning a move across the country — or even to another state — can be planning the actual transportation. Will you fly, and then ship your cargo to your new home? Hire a moving company to pack everything up and unpack it at your new place? Rent a cargo trailer and drive across the country?

Each option has its benefits and its drawbacks, but choosing the mode of transportation that best fits your needs and budget can help keep your move as stress-free as possible. And, depending on the mode you choose, it could help you keep your budget intact, too.

Hire a Moving Company

The easiest, and usually the most expensive, option is to hire a moving company and let them take care of the details. Using a moving company for a cross-country move can cost between $2,000 and $8,000. That figure can rise when you add in fuel costs, fees, and insurance.

Some moving companies will send someone out to take a look at how much stuff you plan to move to give a more accurate cost estimate. They may also estimate the weight of the load and calculate how far you plan on moving when giving you the final estimate.

If you’re hiring movers, one way to cut down on expenses is to pack and unpack your stuff yourself. Asking for personal recommendations, reading online reviews, and getting a few different quotes before deciding on a moving company can help you get the best company for your needs.

Ship Your Belongings

If you don’t have any big furniture to move, you may be able to get away with shipping your goods and hopping on a plane with just your essentials.

Shipping your goods as freight can be a more affordable option, whether you send them via mail, train, or even take a few boxes as checked baggage on the flight.

The downside is that unless the boxes are traveling on your flight with you, you may end up waiting a while for them at your destination. And, like all mail, there is always a chance things could be lost or damaged during the journey.

Rent a Truck or Trailer

Many movers choose to take the DIY route and rent a cargo truck or trailer to haul their worldly possessions. This can be a budget-friendly option, but remember that for all the cost savings, you’ll be putting in a lot more hard work.

You’ll need to pack and load all your boxes and furniture into the trailer yourself. On top of packing, you’ll also have to be comfortable driving the cargo truck or trailer the hundreds or thousands of miles that lie between you and your destination.


💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why credit card consolidation loans are so popular.

Budgeting for Your Move

Still wondering how to move across the country without going broke? There’s no doubt about it: moving is expensive.

And don’t forget to include the additional costs of moving, like a down payment on your new place, or first and last month’s rent, and the cost of setting up your new home with all the essentials.

On top of that, moving often coincides with changing jobs, which may mean that you have a few weeks where you could be without a paycheck. All of this makes moving across the country financially draining for many people.

If you know you’ll be moving in the future, saving up now and using any money you make selling unwanted goods can be a good way to build up your moving fund.

Some people, however, realize they need a little more help in covering the upfront costs of moving across the country. When you need quick cash for your move, a relocation loan can be an option worth exploring, as some lenders disburse loan funds within a few days. The money can cover a wide range of moving costs, from deposits to storage to professional movers, transportation, and even hotel stays.

A personal loan may offer lower interest rates than many credit cards do and, unlike a credit card, a personal loan is not revolving credit. That means the loan is for a set amount of money and paid back over a fixed period of time.

Recommended: Get Your Personal Loan Approved

The Takeaway

Moving across the country can be overwhelming, but there are ways to help make the process feel less stressful. Getting rid of things you no longer want or need is a good place to start. Just as important is how you plan on transporting your belongings to your new home. Hiring movers is generally considered the easiest option, though it tends to also be the most expensive. If you’re looking to keep expenses down, you may decide to ship your items or rent a truck and drive them across the country yourself.

As you’re creating your moving budget, be sure to factor in the cost of setting up your new home. This may include the down payment or security deposit on your new place and paying for groceries, new furniture, and other essentials.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Credit card debt can pile up quickly for people who can’t make their credit card payments. If you find yourself in that situation, you may wonder if it’s possible to delay credit card payments.

The good news is, depending on your financial situation, you may have options.

Credit Card Relief Options

Some credit card companies may still provide financial relief programs to their customers in response to financial hardships related to the pandemic. The cardholder can get information about these programs by asking the credit card company about their offerings or visit their website for details on each program.

Although programs may vary by company, here are some of the relief programs that credit card companies may offer.

💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan can consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and help you get out of debt sooner.

Decreasing or Deferring Payments

Many credit card companies allow cardholders to reduce or delay credit card payments for a specific amount of time by offering emergency forbearance. Once the forbearance period ends, cardholders will need to make up any skipped or postponed payments.

While the credit card company may not require cardholders to make up payments right away, they will need to begin to make at least the minimum monthly payment. Depending on the new credit card balance, the minimum payment required may have changed.

Refunding or Waiving Late Payment Fees

Usually, when a cardholder misses a credit card payment, they are charged a late fee. Due to the pandemic, card companies may refund or waive late fees if the customer requests so due to financial hardship.

Lowering the Interest Rate

Some credit card companies may reduce the credit card interest rate on an account during the pandemic. However, this rate may increase after the specified term ends.

Establishing Payment Plans

Some credit card companies help cardholders repay their credit card balance by offering payment plan options. Cardholders may be able to secure a better repayment plan that works for their current financial situation.

Keep in mind that all of these options may vary by creditor.

Consequences of Missing a Credit Card Payment

Increase to the Credit Card Balance

Making a late payment may increase a credit card holder’s balance in several ways. First, credit card companies can charge a late fee of up to $30, even for the first occurrence. If a cardholder misses a payment after that, the late fee could increase to $41. It’s important to note that this fee may not exceed the minimum balance due.

Another way the credit card company may increase the balance is to increase the account’s interest rate. For example, if the cardholder hasn’t made a payment for 60 days, the credit card company may increase the APR to a penalty APR.

Increasing the interest rate can also increase the revolving balance on the credit card. However, not all creditors may charge penalty interest.

Credit Scores May Be Impacted

Since payment history and account standing are some of the factors used to determine a cardholder’s credit score, making late payments may negatively impact it. But the amount of time a cardholder’s credit is affected can vary depending on the situation.

In general, creditors send the payment information to credit bureaus. They use codes to identify the standing of the accounts. But since there is no code for a payment that is 29 days late, they may use a credit code to show the card is current. After the payment passes the 30-day threshold, however, the creditor may use the late code instead.

Using the late code is considered a delinquent payment to the credit bureaus.

It’s important to note that different creditors may use different codes at different times. So it’s hard to determine when a credit score may be affected by a late payment.

While missing a payment may not impact a score initially, it may appear on a cardholder’s score and stay there for several years if it happens regularly. Of course, this depends on the situation and the other factors credit bureaus use to figure the credit score.

The Balanced Could Be Charged Off

Another consequence of making a late payment is that the creditor may not allow the cardholder to use it for other purchases until the card is in good standing.

Additionally, if the payment is 180 days late, the creditor may close the account and charge off the balance. If a creditor charges off the balance, it means that the creditor permanently closes the account and writes it off as a loss. However, the cardholder will still owe the outstanding balance remaining on the account.

In some cases, creditors will attempt to recover this debt by using their collections department. In other cases, they may sell the debt to a third-party collection agency that will try to get payments from the cardholder.

Creditors have some flexibility when it comes to working with their customers. For customers who have had financial setbacks such as losing a job, creditors may help them get back on track under FDIC regulations. Usually, this type of flexibility is available for consumers who show a willingness and ability to repay their debt.


💡 Quick Tip: With lower fixed interest rates on loans of $5K to $100K, a SoFi personal loan for credit card debt can substantially decrease your monthly bills.

Alternative Options

For consumers who find themselves struggling to make their credit card payments and don’t have creditor relief programs available, there are a few other options to consider that may reduce the financial burden of making credit card payments on time.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

A balance transfer credit card is a credit card that offers a lower interest rate or even a 0% introductory interest rate. This could allow a consumer to transfer a high-interest credit card debt to a card with lower interest — and potentially pay off the debt faster. Usually, balance transfer credit cards have introductory periods that last anywhere between six and 21 months.

Using this method can potentially be a money-saver if the consumer no longer uses the high-interest rate credit card and continues to pay down the transferred debt at the lower interest rate.

In general, consumers need a solid credit history to qualify for a balance transfer credit card. If approved, consumers can use the new credit card to pay down high-interest debt. Therefore, this can be a solution for credit card debt repayment, as long as the cardholder can pay off the debt before the introductory period ends.

However, if the balance isn’t repaid before the introductory period ends, the interest rate typically jumps up. At this point, the balance will begin to accrue interest charges, and the balance will grow.

Home Equity Loans

With fixed-rate home equity loans, some homeowners may qualify for a lower interest rate using their home as collateral rather than using an unsecured loan (a loan that’s not backed by collateral). Like other types of home equity lines of credit, the terms and interest rate a borrower might qualify for is based on a variety of financial factors.

It’s important to note that borrowing against a home doesn’t come without risks, such as leaving the homeowners vulnerable to foreclosure if they don’t pay back the loan.

Credit Card Consolidation

For borrowers who may not want to use their home as collateral but are struggling to pay down debt, debt consolidation with a personal loan may be a better fit for their situation. Essentially, borrowers use a personal loan with better terms and a lower interest rate to pay off credit card debt.

Using a personal loan to consolidate credit card debt can make monthly payments more manageable and potentially lower payments. Although a credit card debt consolidation loan won’t magically make debt disappear, paying off the balance might make a difference in a person’s overall financial outlook.

However, note that some lenders may charge origination fees, which can add to the total balance you’ll have to repay. You may also have to pay other charges, such as late fees or prepayment penalties, so make sure you understand any fees or penalties before signing the loan agreement.

The Takeaway

Staying on top of credit card payments can be difficult during times of financial hardship. Fortunately, you might have options when it comes to delaying credit card payments. Some credit card companies offer pandemic-related debt relief programs to qualifying customers. Or, you could choose to explore alternative options for getting out of debt for good. One solution to help accelerate debt repayment is a credit card consolidation loan, which may be worth looking into if you’ve been making on-time payments on more than one credit card and meet the lender’s income and credit score criteria.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

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