Planning Tools

Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Financial Literacy: Jumpstart.com

The Department of Education provides a general overview of methods for financing a college education in Getting Ready for College Early and at Project Easi.

Iowa Student Loan has provided a Repayment Chart for Federal Loans and Private Loans.  For more customized estimates, use the online repayment calculator at: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/repaymentEstimator.action.

For more information on the federal American Opportunity Tax Credit and other changes enacted by the tax cut bill recently passed by Congress, call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

The U.S. Treasury Department's web site has information on U.S. Savings Bonds. 

Mapping Your Future features information on career planning, choosing a college, and financial aid programs.

The Financial Aid Information Page has a number of calculators which help families estimate their expected family contribution, how much they can afford to borrow, and how much they need to save.

To learn more about a 529 Plan offered by the State of Iowa check the College Savings Iowa website.

Tuition Insurance

Buena Vista University also offers families of Storm Lake undergraduate students the option to purchase a Tuition Insurance plan from Liberty Mutual to supplement our refund policy if a student needs to withdraw due to illness, injury, mental health issues, unforeseen loss of life, or other reasons.