As a recent grad with student loans, you probably already know your repayment is just around the corner. I encourage you to take advantage of your grace period and not wait to get your first bill before making plans for repayment. Here are a few tips I thought I’d share to help you tackle your student loan debt head on.

USC Credit Union knows your home is a big investment, and we already help you save on mortgages and home loans. Now with the Love My Credit Union Rewards program, you can save even more. Here are just some of the valuable discounts members receive on products and services you use every day.

Advisors from GreenPath Financial and NerdWallets help us answer your questions.

Q: How can I boost my credit score? (My) credit score…has been stuck at 703 since March of 2015. I have checked my annual credit reports and there does not seem to be any fraudulent activity. I am 24 years old, work part-time (sadly still) and have no debt. Besides my rent, all of my bills are paid online automatically and I always have the money in my account to cover any bill. I live with a roommate so expenses are split. How can I increase my credit score?

Welcome to a New Year, and new opportunities! What are your plans for 2015? (I’ll avoid the word “resolution” because all too often it’s a synonym for “Starts in January and lasts maybe six weeks.”)

First of all, let's go back to November 2014 when USC Credit Union beat Notre Dame Federal Credit Union in our second annual Credit Union Charity Challenge. In the end, USC Credit Union beat Notre Dame FCU by receiving 75 more auto loan applications, winning $10,000 for USC’s Good Neighbors Campaign. I would like to say congratulations to all our members and extend our gratitude and appreciation for your involvement. I am personally very proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the USC Credit Union family and Trojans nationwide.

You know exactly what car you want. Maybe it's the sporty little red number you saw cruising down the highway last week. Or a huge SUV that costs as much in gas each month as your rent. Either way, unless you can pay cash up-front, you'll need an auto loan that will allow you to make monthly payments. Choosing the right package to fund your new wheels is the key. You can't slow down that fast-talking car salesmen, but you can make sure you know what he's talking about.

Get started by checking your credit score, a three-digit number (starting around 300 and going up to 900) used by your lender to determine how risky it is to lend you money. Your credit score influences your interest rate, so a higher score means a better loan package. You can get a free annual credit report (federally guaranteed) at annualcreditreport.com. By checking your credit report before applying for a loan you can fix errors and avoid surprises. It also protects you from dealers who might claim your credit score is lower than it actually is to keep you from getting a better deal.

You want to get a car loan, but you're not sure where to go. Lenders include financial institutions like credit unions, as well as online brokers and dealerships. Always compare lenders to see where you can find the best deal.

• Check with the financial institutions you already use. Credit unions are not-for-profit and consistently offer low rates on auto loans. Many also offer incentives for current members.
• Dealerships and online lenders both offer auto financing packages. It's important to read everything carefully, especially online, as some deals are often too good to be true.

How does a lender determine if you qualify for a home loan?

The prospect of buying your first home is really exciting. It’s also a complex process that becomes simplified when you partner with USC Credit Union. We will provide you with the education and guidance you need to buy your first home with confidence. You can learn more by downloading our Free Home Buyers Guide.

While lenders look at a lot of different information to determine whether you’ll qualify for a home loan, ultimately, it comes down to four things: credit, down payment, income, and assets. If any of these areas are not as strong as they should be, don’t be discouraged. Your USC Credit Union home loan expert will provide you with the guidance you need to move to the next level.