Staff Writer

Cecillia Barr

Cecillia Barr is a graduate of the University of Central Florida. She blogs about her extensive knowledge on student loans in order to help others reduce their debt and live financially independent lives.

Lucas Duque-Loaiza has autism

Financial Concerns of Caring for a Child with Autism | Real People, Real Life

By Cecillia Barr | May 27, 2021

In light of World Autism Awareness Day, I wanted to get a closer look into one family’s story — their difficulties in caring for their child, their financial adversity, their…

Noi Pinheiro funeral costs

Avoiding Medical Debt after Unexpected Death of a Parent

By Cecillia Barr | May 17, 2021

My mother passed away six months ago. It amazes me how fast time goes by. It feels like just yesterday when I was standing in line at Universal Orlando’s Halloween…

Businessman holding in focus card that says "Perkins Loan" with both hands with out of focus skyscraper window in background

Perkins Loan Information & Eligibility

By Cecillia Barr | September 21, 2018

The federal government discontinued the Perkins Loan Program on Sept. 30, 2017 in a continuing attempt to streamline its ever-growing and inefficient system of funding college education. The end of…

Job seekers at unemployment lines

Working for Free Is a Valuable Option to Unemployment

By Cecillia Barr | June 13, 2013

Finding a job isn’t easy these days. We all know that. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the unemployment rate for May was 7.6 percent — a figure virtually unchanged…

Finance books

Students Want Money Information

By Cecillia Barr | October 11, 2012

A growing number of students want to learn more about personal finance but most public schools don’t offer such classes as part of the curriculum, U.S. News & World Report…