Student Loan Basics
New to student loans? Here are the basic terms that all borrowers should understand.
Planning for College
Is $100,000 in Student Debt a Good Idea?
More and more students are running up student loan balances of over 100k, but these large debts could be a huge mistake.
Student Loan Borrowing Limits for Federal and Private Loans
Federal student loan borrowing limits vary by year of school, while private loans follow a different set of rules for maximum loan size.
Picking the “Cheap” College Over More Expensive Options
Skipping an expensive school to attend a more affordable college might be the smartest decision for many students.
Student Loan Origination Fees: The Basics and Avoiding Them
Loan origination fees should be avoided for nearly all student loans. Federal loans are a noteworthy exception to this rule.
How do lenders decide on my student loan interest rate?
There are many factors that go into determining a student loan interest rate. Some are based on the borrowers but others are not.
Cosigners on Student Loans: A Last Resort Option
Lenders have made cosigning on student loans a routine practice, but cosigning any loan is a risky decision with major consequences.
Graduate PLUS Loans vs. Private Loans
Private lenders like to compare rates against Graduate PLUS loans, but when you compare all of the loan features, Graduate PLUS loans usually come out ahead.
Personal Finance Lessons to Learn BEFORE College
Learning the hard way is part of college, but some personal finance lessons are especially valuable if you can learn them the easy way.