Iowa

Loans, Student Loans, Installment Purchases

Legal Information

• Buying a House

  Buying a home on a contract can be a way for persons who are low-income or who have poor credit to become homeowners. However, there are certain risks to know about to avoid surprises after the contract is signed. Read More

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Car Title Loans

  Before new legislation was adopted by the Iowa Legislature in 2007, car title loans were a very expensive way to borrow money. The new legislation limits the amount of interest that can be charged. This can still be an expensive loan. Read More

• Credit Counselors: What to Expect, What to Avoid

  Are you in debt and feel like you can't make any headway? One frequent piece of advice is to consolidate the debt and have a single monthly payment. This resource looks at factors you should consider. Read More

• Deferment, Forbearance and Consolidation of Student Loan Debts

  Higher education is expensive. After leaving school, many former students find it hard to meet their monthly student loan payments and it is easy to fall behind. A lot of former students do not know that there are alternatives out there that will help to either reduce or stop student loan payments before they fall behind. Read More

• For-Profit Colleges: A Closer Look at Technical Schools and Employability

  Information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Iowa Attorney General's Office community colleges and technical schools. Read More

• Getting Help to Repay Student Loans

  People who owe money for student loans may get help from a new law passed by the federal government. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Keep More Money in YOUR Pocket at Tax Time

  Did you know that paying fees for tax preparation and refund anticipation checks is like losing as much as four days' pay? Here are some ways you can avoid giving away your money during tax time. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Payday Loans - a Convenience You Can't Afford!

  The use of "payday loans" (also sometimes known as "cash advance loans," "check advance loans" or "delayed deposit checks") has become a ritual for many working Iowans, including the elderly. Unfortunately, the Iowans using these types of services do not realize what the service is costing them. Read More

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Paying for Utilities

  If you cannot afford to pay your natural gas and electric utility bills, you have certain rights and remedies that may help you avoid having utilities shut off. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

• Predatory Lending - Don't Be a Victim

  Predatory lenders take advantage of unsuspecting consumers by marketing and making mortgage loans with vastly inflated interest rates and fees and other burdensome terms. Predatory lending is a serious problem throughout the country, one that can leave you penniless and homeless. Read More

• Questions and Answers About Predatory Lending

  Predatory loans contain extraordinarily high interest rates and fees. Here is some information for consumers on this type of lending. Read More

• Refinancing

  Refinancing may look good now when interest rates are lower than they have been in years. However, smaller monthly payments do not always mean that refinancing will be a good deal for you as a consumer. Read More

  By:

  Iowa Legal Aid

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Shopping for Credit

  There are a few key items of information a consumer should look for before signing a credit agreement. She may be in for a surprise at how much money it costs to “buy now, pay later.” Read More

• The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

  The "SCRA" is a federal statute passed by Congress to allow military members to suspend or postpone some civil obligations so the military member can devote his or her full attention to military duties. Read More

• Watch Your Wallet!

  Getting into a debt-rut is a lot easier than getting out of it. Here are some tips about special pitfalls common to high-priced debt . Read More