questions & answers

Do I Have to Accept All of the Student Loans in my Offer Letter?

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 12, 2025

You’re waiting for a college to accept you… Once you have been accepted into a school, the college will send you a financial aid offer letter—a financial aid package that dictates how much aid the school is willing to give you, including loan offers. Should you accept all the student loans or should you only …

questions & answers

Can I Defer My Student Loans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

When you take a student loan, you will be given a loan repayment schedule that states how and when you will have to pay back the loan and interest. Most lenders do include a grace period after graduation to give you some time to get a job and get on your feet before you have …

financial advice & planning

3 Wallet-Draining Expenses You Can Avoid As A College Student

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

College tuition fees by themselves can be a huge drain on your wallet but like it or not, this is not the only expense that you will have to bear as a college student. You will have to set aside a substantial amount to pay towards rent, food, school supplies, textbooks, personal expenses…the list can …

student loans

3 Important Things to Consider for Deferment or Forbearance

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Although deferment or forbearance can be real lifelines when you are in a financial crunch with absolutely no way to make your payments, they can create even more financial problems for you if you make a rash decision. Things to Consider with Deferment or Forbearance Before you consider deferment or forbearance options, here are a few …

questions & answers

Should You Apply For Student Loans While Applying For Scholarships At The Same Time?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

When you get down to comparing the total amount you need to fund your college education with the total amount of funds you have available, it’s easy to start panicking and apply for all kinds of financial assistance. This could be a mistake though. Before you start dashing off applications to various funding institutions it …

student loans

Is It Possible To Create An Emergency Fund When You Are Still Repaying Student Loans?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you have taken any student loans to fund your college education, you can expect to spend a major portion of your earnings trying to reduce your debt after you graduate. If you plan well, things should move along smoothly and you should be able to repay the loan within a few years of consistent …

student loans

When Paying Off Your Student Loan Early May Not Be Advisable

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

“When should I pay off my student loan after college?” “Should I take care of it right now or wait for a later date?” These are two of the more common questions that will run through most students’ minds after they graduate.  If you have a student loan hanging over your head you will be …

questions & answers

What is a TEACH Grant?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 28, 2023

While you’re filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), you may have seen the TEACH Grant name tossed around a bit. What exactly is it? And more importantly, do you qualify? What is it? The TEACH Grant, which stands for The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education, is for students …

myths

Financial Aid Myths That Are Costing You Money

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

When it comes to financial aid, believing in a few myths can cost you a lot. Every year, students lose out on thousands of dollars that they could have gotten by way of scholarships, grants, and federal student loans simply because of a few prevailing misconceptions. Take a look at some of the common financial …

student loans

Things That Might Prevent You From Qualifying For a Private Student Loan

By Morgan StaubLast updated on March 5, 2025

Over one million college students receive a student loan from a private source each year. There is a litany of individual reasons that these students prefer private loans to the US Government’s federal loan program (FAFSA). However, there is one common thread. Private loans, compared to FAFSA, are often seen as easier to obtain. As …