questions & answers

Can I Negotiate A Lower Student Loan Interest Rate?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 5, 2025

The thought of being able to negotiate a lower student loan interest rate sounds tempting. Unfortunately, this tactic is not always fruitful, especially with federal student loans. The interest rates on federal student loans are set every year by the federal government and cannot be negotiated. The rate changes every year but once it is …

questions & answers

Are SAT Subject Tests Required?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

The aim of the general SAT test is to evaluate your reasoning skills and your readiness for college. The SAT Subject tests, on the other hand, is meant to assess your knowledge in a specific subject area. If you are wondering whether SAT subject tests are required, the answer is it depends. SAT Subject Tests Can …

college applications

How to Balance Summer College Prep Activities

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

For most students, summer means free time, friends, family, and fun. Although unwinding before entering senior year is important, it is just as important to make time for a few college prep activities to help alleviate impending senior year stress. Summer Reading Just because you aren’t enrolled in Advanced Placement doesn’t mean you can’t read …

financial aid

How To Get A Work Study

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

Funding your lifestyle remains one of the largest concerns for students entering college. Students turn to many forms of financial assistance. Of the many forms of federal financial aid, work study is often overlooked by students. Often, students will think the program doesn’t apply to them and not look further into it. However, just like …

scholarships

6 Scholarships for Animal Lovers

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on May 1, 2025

Do you love frogs, ferrets, or fluffy cats? Whether you hope to work with animals for your career or you just simply enjoy them, you will find plenty of scholarship opportunities that offer financial aid for college-going animal lovers like yourself. Check out these interesting scholarships for animal lovers and apply to those you qualify …

college applications

How to boost your GPA this summer

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 12, 2026

Key takeaways You could boost your GPA this summer by getting a tutor, taking summer classes, and doing additional subject work. Summer classes can help you graduate early, boost your GPA, and lighten your load during the school year. Many students benefit from smaller class sizes in the summer and more one-on-one time with their …

student loans

What You Need To Know About The Standard Repayment Plan

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

If you do not choose a specific repayment plan when you take a federal student loan, the Standard Repayment Plan is considered as your default choice. Details of the Standard Plan With a Standard Repayment Plan, you pay off your loans within 10 years. Under the terms of this plan, your entire loan (principal plus …

student loans

Is Choosing A Variable Interest Rate Worth The Risk?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Federal student loans come with a fixed rate of interest, which remains constant till your debt is cleared. Private student loans come with fixed interest rates and variable rates. At the time of taking the loan, you will have to choose from one of these two options. This is no small decision to make. Variable-rate …

questions & answers

How Often Do Student Loan Variable Rates Change?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

In variable rate loans, the rate of interest fluctuates and changes several times over the lifetime of the loan. This is because variable rate loans are tied to market interest rates. Variable Rates and Market Trends When market conditions are bad, lenders reduce short-term interest rates to encourage lending. When this happens, the rate of …