student loans

What You Need To Know About Student Loan Interest Rates

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Understanding student loan interest rates is the key to making smart borrowing decisions. Here’s a simple example that will demonstrate how your student loan interest rate can add dollars to your debt. Let’s say you graduate with an average of $40,000 in student loan debt. A 4.5% rate of interest, which is the rate for …

financial aid

Bad Financial Aid “Advice” To Avoid

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you are applying to college, you are sure to be looking for advice about student loans. While there is plenty of really good advice out there, we’ve come across some bad advice that you would do best to avoid. Filing the FAFSA is a waste of time if your family income is above average …

student loans

Student Loan Tip: Calculate Your Loan-to-Income Ratio

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

One of the many factors you should take into consideration before taking a student loan is your loan-to-income ratio. This is the ratio of your monthly debt to your gross monthly income. Of course, this strategy only really works if you have an idea of what career you plan to follow, or if you know …

questions & answers

Should You Crowdfund For Your College Tuition?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 4, 2025

You could always do with more money to cover your college expenses. Fortunately, you can get most of that money through scholarships, grants, work-study, and even student loans (as a last resort). But what if you need more? Crowdfunding has become a popular way to raise money for various reasons, whether it’s for personal reasons …

student loans

Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Sign For A Student Loan

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

There are several mistakes you could potentially make you take out student loans. You could borrow too much… borrow too little… take the wrong type of loan… the list could go on. Unfortunately, any mistake you make with your student loan will have long term repercussions that could set you back after you graduate. Asking …

financial aid

FAQs About Work-Study Programs

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 5, 2025

A work-study program is a type of financial aid that allows students with financial needs the opportunity to earn money that can be used to cover part of their educational and living expenses. It is offered to eligible students as part of their financial aid package. Do all students automatically qualify for work-study?   No, …

financial aid

Pros And Cons Of Front-Loaded Financial Aid Packages

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Financial aid for college students comes in many different forms, from grants and scholarships to work-study and study loans. Each of these financial aid forms differs in terms of eligibility requirements and maximum aid offered.  In addition, schools differ in the way that they distribute financial aid to students. Front-loading is one way that financial …

financial aid

How I Paid for College: Financial Aid in Hindsight

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on February 26, 2025

When you’re 18, paying for college may sound like a scary prospect, especially if you know you’re going to have to take out loans. My story on how I paid for college is a bit more fortunate, but there are some things I know now that I wish I had known then. I Was Fortunate …

questions & answers

What should I do if my financial situation changes for college?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 3, 2026

Key takeaways: Job loss, reduced earnings, divorce, health concerns, and other problems and emergencies can impact a family’s finances, affecting their ability to pay for college. If you feel your FAFSA and financial aid offer doesn’t reflect your current financial situation, you can request an aid adjustment. Colleges’ aid adjustment procedures vary, but gather relevant …

scholarships

Scholarships For Creative Students

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 27, 2025

Scholarships for creative students are like the icing on the cake—you get paid to do more of something you love. Whether your talents lie with creative writing, charcoal painting, woodworking, or even cooking, you can bet there’s a scholarship out there for it. When you apply for one of these scholarships, you won’t even feel …