questions & answers

Understanding Work-Study Income and Navigating the Tax Maze

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on October 20, 2025

Key Takeaways Work-study earnings are taxable, but they won’t impact your financial aid eligibility. You may be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) which allows you to claim up to $2,500 per school year. You will use your W-2 form given by your employer to fill out your federal and state taxes each …

questions & answers

Is It Possible To Save For A House While Paying Off Student Loan Debt?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Owning your own home is part of the American dream, but how can you even think about realizing this dream when more than half your salary goes towards paying off your student loan for several years after your graduation? More and more borrowers are putting a hold on their dreams while struggling to stay out …

student loans

Do Your Student Loans Affect Your Approval for Other Loans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

Unfortunately, there’s no one clear answer to this question. Whether student loans affect your other loan approvals ultimately depends on your debt to income ratio at the time of applying for the loan. When creditors try to determine if they should loan you money, they look at your debt to income ratio among other indicators. …

student loans

What You Should Use Your Student Loan Money For

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Your student loan money is primarily meant to pay off certain expenses. These include: College Tuition The majority portion of your loan will go towards your college tuition and fees. Prioritize this above all else. Accommodation & Meals Though significantly lower than college tuition, the second largest chunk of the loan amount will go towards …

careers & internships

How to Find an Internship in Your Field of Study

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 28, 2023

So you’re in college, you’ve decided on a major to study, and now it’s time to find out what’s next… internships. Internships are the natural next step in your college journey. They provide you with real-world industry learning opportunities and help you become a more well-rounded student and young professional. Typically, a student may work …

student loans

What Is Student Loan Delinquency?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 12, 2025

A student loan delinquency occurs as soon as you miss a payment on your student loan. Delinquency on federal student loans are reported to credit bureaus after 90 days of non-payment. Delinquency on private student loans are reported to credit bureaus after 30 days on non-payment. Being delinquent refers to a situation in which a …

financial aid

How To Appeal An Offer Letter for More Financial Aid

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 25, 2024

Your financial aid letters aren’t (always) written in stone. There may actually be some flexibility in the money a school grants you. It may only take a phone call to get a higher financial aid package, or it might require a longer appeals process. If your financial aid is less than you thought it would …

scholarship search & applications

Common Scholarship Essay Prompts and How to Answer Them

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 20, 2024

Looking to earn free money* to pay for college? Applying for scholarships is a perfect way to do so. Scholarships are a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. The catch is, you have to win out amongst many other applicants. So, you’ll want to make sure you submit a strong …

student loans

The Pros And Cons Of Consolidating Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

College may be over and done with (or nearing it), but your student loan balance is far from. Graduation day, in fact, marks the beginning of our real journey towards financial freedom, and it all starts with paying off your debt. It can be bewildering at first as you try to figure out how to …