Student Loans Articles & Tips

If you were enrolled in the now-defunct SAVE plan, you need to choose a new repayment plan by the deadline in your loan servicer’s notice. If you don’t, you’ll be placed in a fixed-payment plan that could cost much more each month.

Federal student loans cap first-year dependent students at $5,500, and since July 1, 2026, new Parent PLUS borrowers are limited to $20,000 a year and $65,000 per child. Before borrowing, appeal your aid package, apply for scholarships and ask about payment plans. If a gap remains, compare Parent PLUS with private loans, which may cost less with strong credit but lack federal protections.

The way you borrow for school can shape your finances long after graduation.

Nearly 1 in 3 student loan borrowers without a degree are behind on payments, with default, wage garnishment, and credit damage all at risk. Federal options like income-driven repayment can help, but acting before the 270-day mark is critical.

Nearly 6 million Gen X borrowers are still carrying student loan debt, with an average balance of $48,203. At a 6% interest rate on a 10-year term, that works out to roughly $535 a month—well into what should be peak retirement-saving years.

Our guide walks you through federal versus private student loans, how interest and repayment work, and the new rules for borrowers that took effect in 2026.

Earning your college degree is key to your future career stability and satisfaction. More career paths require advanced education and that means a college degree is critical to your success in today's workforce.

Anyone who’s been to college knows It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. Whether it’s applying to more than one school, being open to multiple career paths after graduation, or looking at several homes before buying—almost everyone taps into their backup plan at least once in life.

You want to help your kids through college, but what’s the most ideal way? You could give them money, or co-sign on a student loan. Or just offer advice on how to pay for college.

Applying for a term loan can be difficult and tedious, not to mention all the different eligibility criteria. Applying for a mortgage? Be aware of the debt-to-income limit. Business loan? Let’s hope you’re making more than the minimum monthly revenue. Personal loan? Get ready to reveal your annual income.

If you are one of the millions of Americans beleaguered by student loan debt, and are unhappy with your current terms, or struggling with repayments, you might want to consider refinancing your student loan. By sticking with the same lender and repayment terms, you could be losing thousands of dollars unnecessarily.

For all the news about spiralling student debt, it’s important to remember that student loans are virtually never set in stone.

Do you have hefty student loans that you’re still working on repaying? Are you wondering if there’s a smarter way you could be repaying them, either through refinancing or consolidation?

Student debt is becoming one of the big issues of this presidential election season, and with good reason. According to the latest figures, Americans hold a combined $1.6 trillion in student debt. That’s double the amount of debt from 9 years ago, and more than 3 times the debt from 13 years ago, when federal authorities began keeping records.

Some states are carrying a much heavier student debt load than others, and the reasons why might surprise you.alongside you.

A college degree can come with real financial pressure, but the data and the experiences of graduates themselves point to a more grounded and hopeful reality.

A practical guide to building a realistic budget, covering the costs your aid doesn't reach, saving money day to day, and setting up your loans and credit for the school year ahead.

Learn how combining several student loans into one payment works, when a federal Direct Consolidation Loan beats private refinancing, and how 2026's new repayment rules change the decision.

Credible, Splash Financial, and Earnest all refinance student loans at similar rates, so the right choice usually comes down to business model, approval odds, and fit. This guide compares the three so you can pick with confidence.

Most parents plan for the major college milestones they can see on paper. But it's the invisible, day-to-day living expenses that frequently catch freshman families off guard.

Senior year costs often rise just as financial aid shrinks, leaving many families with an unexpected gap to close. Filing FAFSA every year, applying for scholarships, and treating private loans as a short-term bridge rather than a long-term solution are the smartest ways to get to graduation.

Falling behind on your student loans can happen faster than you think. After 270 days without a payment, federal loans can slip into default, putting your wages, credit score, and entire balance at risk. The good news is that you're not alone, and there are clear ways to recover.