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 …

questions & answers

How Does Divorce Affect Financial Aid Applications?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Filing out financial aid applications, more specifically the FASFA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid), can be daunting already for many students. However, with those who have divorced parents, it’s important to understand how that may affect your application and awarded financial aid. Who is Your Custodial Parent? The parent who completes the financial aid …

student loans

When Do I Need to Pay Back My Federal Student Loans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

What exactly is a ‘good income”? If you have a student loan that you are still paying off, a good income is one that allows you to make your loan payments comfortably every month while still leaving a substantial amount to cover all your necessities as well as some luxuries. While you have earned the right …

financial advice & planning

These Tips Will Help You Handle Those Ever-Increasing College Fees

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Skyrocketing tuition fees and other college costs have got parents across the country concerned about how they are going to raise or save enough to pay for their child’s college education. It’s tough, there’s no arguing about that but there are a few things you can do to make it easier to handle these increasing …

student loans

Signs that You Should Consolidate Your Student Loans

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

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, …

questions & answers

Should You Lower Your Student Loan Payments Or Not?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

For many college students, student loans are inevitable. That also means someday repaying those loans, budgeting for repayment, and dealing with interest rates. When it comes to whether or not you should lower your student loan payments, there is no one answer that is right for everyone. In general, lowering loan payments is not recommended …

questions & answers

Is There Any Way To Minimize Student Loan Debt While In School?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Even after all the scholarships, grants, and federal aid, your college costs still may not be fully covered. Many students have to take out student loans to afford their college education. That also means having to spend years after graduation paying off that loan with interest. But with some thought and planning, you can minimize …

myths

Believing In These Two Student Loan Repayment Myths Can Cost You

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

With several myths about student loan repayment floating around, it can often become difficult to separate fact from fiction. Here are two of the more common student loans repayment myths that college students believe in because they offer some sort of hope. Unfortunately, believing in these falsehoods can cost you considerably. Student Loan Repayment Myth …

student loans

Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Decide To Refinance Your Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Most reasons to refinance your student loans are valid. It allows you to lower your interest rate, which will in turn reduce the monthly payments you have to make. Refinancing can also allow you to negotiate newer and more favorable terms for your student loans. So, it does make sense to go ahead and refinance …