questions & answers

Which Student Loans Should You Pay Off First?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

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 …

scholarships

Scholarships for Students with Bipolar Disorder and/or Depression

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on December 22, 2022

Mental health is a very important, and prevalent, issue, and though there have been great strides in recent years for treatment and awareness, there can still be a stigma surrounding mental health. Students struggling with mental health problems—such as bipolar disorder and/or depression—while also pursuing higher education should be applauded and supported. That’s why we’ve …

student loans

How Often You Should Connect with Your Student Loan Lender

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

For the most part, after you accept a student loan, you won’t have to connect with the lender very often. However, there are a few times that contacting them will be absolutely necessary. Here are a few examples of times you should connect with your student loan lenders. To Change Contact Information Changing or updating …

student loans

How To Decide Which Student Loans To Pay Off First

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 12, 2025

Paying off your highest interest student loans first will save you the most money in interest. This is the best strategy to use when trying to decide which student loans to pay off first. If you have trouble staying motivated, consider paying off your smallest balances first. This will reduce the number of loans you’re …

financial aid

What To Do After Receiving The SAR

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Your SAR, or Student Aid Report, is compiled based on the information you provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA form. If you included your email address while filling the form, you will receive your SAR by email a few days after your application is processed. If you did not include …

student loans

What is a “Good” Student Loan Interest Rate?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Every advice article lists ‘interest rate’ as the most important factor to consider when choosing student loans. But the big question remains – “What is a good interest rate on student loans?” And how do you compare the rates that different lenders offer? The truth is there is no simple answer. There are several factors …

financial advice & planning

Unexpected Expenses to Budget for In College

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 29, 2024

College is already expensive before you even step foot on campus, and when you get to your school, you’ll quickly realize you’re not done paying just yet! From laundry costs to club fees, you’re going to be paying a little bit here and a little bit there for the next four years. Planning for these …

student loans

What is APR for Student Loans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 27, 2025

There are several factors you need to consider to find the best student loan option for you. The three top things to look at are the loan type, interest rate of the loan, and the APR. Regarding loan type, there are two to choose from – federal and private student loans. When it comes to …

scholarship search & applications

Use What Makes You Unique in Your Scholarship Search

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

How many times have you had to answer the classic icebreaker prompt “Tell us one interesting thing about yourself”? Many students dread this and scramble to come up with an answer. But here’s the thing: You most definitely have something (even many somethings) that makes you unique sets you apart from the crowd. Often we’re …

student loans

Signs that You Should Refinance Your Student Loans

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

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 …