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.
Your student loans can actually save you money on your taxes
student loans

PSA: Your Student Loans Can Save You Money on Your Taxes

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022
It sucks paying student loans. But, once a year, you’ll be (at least a tiny bit) happy you have them: When it’s time to do your taxes. Turns out, you can save money on your taxes from your student loans. Most borrowers with student loans can, indeed claim a tax deduction for the interest they’ve paid …
You can save money refinancing student loans
student loans

Here’s How Much You Could Save by Refinancing Student Loans

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022
If you have student loans, you’ve no doubt heard someone mention refinancing student loans as an option. You may have even heard that it will save you a bunch of money. But, how much can you actually save? How does refinancing actually save you that money? In this post, we’ll break down how you can save …
student loan refinancing
student loans

Benefits of Refinancing Your Student Loans with a Co-Signer

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022
As many student borrowers have likely discovered, the process of refinancing your student loans can sometimes involve bringing on a co-signer. Why, you might ask, do I need a co-signer to refinance student loans that I already had without one? That’s a good question–but it also has a good answer. To put it simply: Student …
A girl graduate student is smiling and looking far away.
student loans

How Student Borrowers Can Take Over Parent PLUS Loans

By Tyler HakesLast updated on September 25, 2023
One of the messiest situations in student loan refinancing arises when a student is trying to consolidate and refinance their loans that were taken out by their parents to help them pay for school. This is a common occurrence because while in school, students are only allowed to borrow a certain amount in federal loans, …
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 December 22, 2022
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 December 22, 2022
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 December 22, 2022
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 December 22, 2022
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 …