Tyler Hakes

Tyler Hakes is the former Director of Marketing at College Raptor. He writes about topics related to the college search, admissions and financial aid. He's always looking to tell great stories about students discovering their perfect school.
LendKey has a network of local and regional lenders around the country that provide student loans and refinance/consolidation options.
student loans

LendKey Review – Student Loans from Local and Regional Credit Unions

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025
LendKey offers borrowers a way to refinance their student loans using local and regional credit unions, and community lenders. Going local is one of the main reasons people choose to use their service over other competitors, which tend to be large national or multinational corporations or services that connect borrowers with those lenders. Borrowing from …
There are five reasons to refinance student loans
student loans

5 Reasons to Refinance Your Student Loans

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025
Many borrowers see ads and websites that talk about refinancing their student loans, but they never really understand the reasons to refinance. What are the benefits of refinancing? Why does it even matter? These are fair questions–after all, why take the time to refinance your student loans if you’re not getting anything out of it? …
Here are 5 ways to lower your student loan payments
student loans

5 Ways to Lower Your Student Loan Payments

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025
Student loan payments can be a big hassle for many graduates. Among the major complaints are that many students cannot afford to make their monthly payments once they come due. Do you need to lower your monthly payment to help make ends meet? Well, you’re in luck. There are a number of ways to reduce …
Here's a guide on how to pay off your student loans in 5 years.
student loans

How to Pay Off Your Student Loans in 5 Years: A Practical Guide

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025
Student loan payments are like that friend who can’t get the hint and sticks around way after the party is over–except, instead of 20 or 30 excruciating minutes, they last about 10 excruciating years. Of course, there are trade-offs between paying more on your loans (having less money now) but paying them off sooner, versus …
Photograph of a person withdrawing money from an ATM.
student loans

Student Loan Assistance and Forgiveness: Fact or Fiction?

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025
Many student borrowers wonder about the idea of loan assistance or forgiveness. There are often ads everywhere for “Obama Loan Forgiveness” programs–but are they legit? We investigated a number of companies and options to learn about these programs and figure out which ones are fact and which ones are peddling fiction. Unfortunately–as you may have …
You aren't the only person thinking about taking online classes.
online colleges

Thinking About Taking Online Classes? You’re Not Alone

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022
One of the biggest changes in education has occurred over the last two decades with the rise of online learning. From the traditional 300-person lecture halls of modern academia to the ancient rituals held around the campfire by our distant ancestors, humans have, literally for centuries (or, as long as we have existed), learned through face-to-face teaching …
Consider refinancing your student loans through a credit union
student loans

Refinancing Your Student Loans Through a Credit Union

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025
Credit unions and community banks have risen in popularity over the last few years, especially among millennials who are looking for an alternative to big traditional banks. These institutions offer a number of key differences from traditional banks. Many people find them preferable to banking with large companies like Wells Fargo or Bank of America. …

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