Student Loans, Burger King: Hot Trends

(Information on student loans and Burger King's new breakfast menu updated in today's Hot Trends article.)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- "Student loans" is a hot search topic as students search for ways to help fund their college education. As the school year gets underway, students know that debt is a looming issue for most college graduates.

Students can apply to get a loan through financial services such as Sallie Mae(SLM), or they can opt to take out loans in the form of Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, which is offered through the U.S. Department of Education. Through Title IV of the Higher Education Act, eligible individuals can receive federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school.

According to the National Center of Education Statistics, more than 65% of undergraduate students graduated with debt in 2008, and the average student loan debt was $23,186.

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Burger King(BKC) is a trending topic after the fast food chain added nine new items to its breakfast menu including mini blueberry biscuits and pancakes.

"We're ready to compete to be America's wake-up call with our new BK breakfast menu," said chief marketing officer Mike Kappitt. "We're recognized far and wide for our superior burgers, and we're confident guests will know and love us for breakfast as well. Given the quality, variety and value on our new menu, Burger King is sure to become the destination for breakfast."

>>Restaurant Winners: Burger King

The new menu will feature mini blueberry biscuits, the "breakfast ciabatta club sandwich," and the "ultimate breakfast platter," made up of scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, a biscuit and pancakes.

The company recently agreed to be taken private by 3G Capital for $4 billion, with the assumption of its debt. Today its shares were up .13% to $23.67 at close.

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"Piers Morgan" is a popular search topic today following reports that CNN intends for Morgan to take over for Larry King next January when he leaves the program.