Cecilia Clark

Assistant Assigning Editor | Education financing products, Veteran's benefits, Student and graduate finances

Cecilia Clark is an editor on the loans team. She specializes in student loans and manages product reviews and roundups. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer and developed communications strategies for cybersecurity firms. Cecilia has also worked in post-secondary education, elevator operations management and sales and military nuclear command control, maintenance management and public affairs.

Education: B.A. in English, M.Ed. in teaching and learning
Previous experience: Operations supervisor, U.S. Army officer

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Applying to Graduate School? Here's How To Pay For It

Consider possible financial consequences before taking a gap year or stopping out of school.

Cecilia's picks

Smart Money Podcast: How Nerds Choose the Best, and Paying for College

by Sean Pyles, Liz Weston, CFP®

NerdWallet's Content team leader explains how Best-Of Award winners are chosen and why you can trust our picks.

Smart Money Podcast: Student Debt Cancellation Debate, Part 2

by Anna Helhoski, Sean Pyles

Would student loan cancellation liberate those crushed by debt, or is it a potentially ineffective political ploy?

Smart Money Podcast: New Student Debt, and a Couple’s Money Baggage

by Sean Pyles, Liz Weston, CFP®

Cecilia has also nerded out in...

Quotes and interviews

Forbes. Parents Hope For Student Loan Forgiveness As They Struggle With Loan Debt.
PIX11 News. Expert warns of possible pitfalls of taking a gap year.
13WTHR. Student Loans: To refinance or to not refinance?.
Fortune. What Biden could be planning for student loan forgiveness.

Other publications

The Washington Post, The New York Times, Yahoo!, ABC News, U.S. News and World Report, Associated Press, Entrepreneur, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Newsday

The latest from Cecilia

2024 College Grads: Get Ready for Student Loan Repayment

Check your student loan accounts, understand your repayment options and shop for lower rates if you have private loans.

Act Now: Two Key Student Debt Relief Programs Expire Sept. 30

If you have defaulted student loans or you’ve been skipping payments, you need to act by Sept. 30, 2024 — before the on-ramp and Fresh Start programs expire.

Want Cheaper College? Pay Interest While in School

Making optional student loan payments while you're in school or during your grace period can save thousands in the long-run.

PSLF Buyback Program: How To Get Student Loan Forgiveness Sooner

You can make up for PSLF months that weren’t counted while working for an eligible employer — but wait until the IDR account adjustment is applied to your account.

Full FAFSA Launch by Dec. 1: What Students and Families Need To Know

The 2025-26 FAFSA will fully launch by December, though some students will get access as early as Oct. 1.

Direct Admissions: How to Get Into College Without Applying

If your senior year of high school approaches, direct admissions can help you get into college. A growing number of states are offering this path to college, and companies like Common App and Niche also provide direct admissions to students regardless of where they live.

Abe Review: Private Student Loans

Stride Funding Changes its Income Share Loan Application Process

Borrowers will now apply through Stride's participating institutions for ISLs.

Some Federal Student Loan Interest Rates at Record Highs

For undergraduates, interest rates on federal student loans are now 6.53% for the 2024-25 academic year — making the cost of borrowing for college the highest it's been in 16 years. But there are ways to keep your costs down.

Graduate Borrowers, Consider This Student Loan Plan Before July 1

If you have graduate debt and qualify for PAYE, consider applying before July 1, when PAYE will permanently close to new enrollment. Two other repayment plans will also limit enrollment in July.

39K Student Loan Borrowers Just Got Forgiveness. Here’s How To Get in Line

You now have until June 30 (instead of April 30) to consolidate certain federal student loans — and potentially get loan forgiveness by September (instead of July).

Graduating With Student Loans? Prepare for Your Financial Future

After completing student loan exit counseling, get set up with your student loan servicer and take time to research the repayment plans and relief options.

How Participating in Campus Protests Could Affect Your Financial Aid

Involvement in college protests could cost you your financial aid and more.

No Financial Aid Package Yet? Look to Last-Minute Scholarships

You can’t control FAFSA delays, but you can control whether you research and apply for scholarship awards to lower your college costs.