Before you go off to college, you’ll have to make many important decisions regarding your student loans. After you’ve determined what type of plan you’re going to move forward with, you’ll move on to basic, mechanical decisions about the plan’s implementation. How long will your repayment period be? Will you pursue student loan forgiveness? And, …
About
Why You Should Consider NOT Taking Your Full Student Loan Award
For many students, being awarded financial aid from a school can be a lifesaver. College, as everyone knows, is very, very expensive, and any extra penny helps make it more affordable. However, some decide to forego their full financial award and pay more out of pocket. This may seem ridiculous on the surface, but there …
Which Student Loans Should You Pay Off First?
Prioritization is one of the most important skills you’ll cultivate throughout your college career. Because of time constraints and finances, you’ll have to determine what is most important to you, and accomplish your tasks in an appropriate order. Simply put, if you want to go to a party on a Thursday night, you better make …
Pros and Cons of Staying on Campus for the Summer
It’s that time of year again! Students all over the map are packing up their belongings into crates and bags, heading home for the summer. While some can’t wait to get out of town and back to their parents or high school friends, others are more wistful, wishing their school year would never end. If …
Why Internships are So Important
You’ve been asked the question by everyone, from your parents, friends, and even distant relatives: “Are you looking for an internship?” As you pack up your dorm room or apartment, getting ready to head home for the summer, chances are good that you’ll be thinking of your summer plans, and whether or not you have …
Signs that You Should Refinance Your Student Loans
You’ve heard the surprising statistics: over 44 million Americans are in debt with $1.3 trillion due to student loans. That’s over 13% of the nation’s population! The number is scary, for sure, but it’s important to keep it in perspective. Just because an individual is in debt doesn’t mean it’s something they can’t recover from. In …
Signs that You Should Consolidate Your Student Loans
If you’re headed off to college, chances are good that you’ve decided to take out student loans (check out our guide to student loans here). More than half of all US undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, with this number climbing sharply. Student loans have become a rite of passage for many undergrads, …
How to Pick Between Student Loan Lenders
So, you’re heading off to college. You’ve also deduced that you need to take out a student loan in order to make it work financially. You’ve heard all the horror stories and you know all the statistics. You’re aware that there’s over $1.3 trillion in total student loan debt spread over 44 million graduates, and …
How to Compare and Contrast Offer Letters from Different Colleges
Opening your first college acceptance letter will be, without a doubt, one of the most gratifying and exciting moments of your academic life. While most students have an idea of which colleges will accept them, it doesn’t feel real until you hold proof in your hand, showing that a university looked over your transcripts, letters, …
Things That Might Prevent You From Qualifying For a Private Student Loan
Over one million college students receive a student loan from a private source each year. There is a litany of individual reasons that these students prefer private loans to the US Government’s federal loan program (FAFSA). However, there is one common thread. Private loans, compared to FAFSA, are often seen as easier to obtain. As …