questions & answers

Should You Take Out More Than One Student Loan?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on February 26, 2025

A vast majority of college students find themselves forced to take out student loans in order to get through school. As tuition rates are at an all-time high, you’re probably feeling the stress of trying to pay your way through college. It’s possible that, like many students, you’re considering taking out more than one loan …

questions & answers

What are “Hybrid Rates” for Student Loans?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on March 24, 2025

So you’ve graduated high school, and before you can stop Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” from playing on repeat in your head, your parents have approached you to have a conversation about student loans. It’s time to get down to business. If you have no idea how to approach the topic, don’t …

questions & answers

What is Fixed-Rate Tuition?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on February 26, 2025

If you’re headed off to college for your freshman year, you have to be prepared for an avalanche of new challenges, most of which are unlike anything you’ve faced before. For many students, the college experience is the first time they’ve stepped away from home for more than a short summer, and, in turn, the …

questions & answers

What Exactly Is an Installment Loan?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 12, 2025

Most loans fall under two main categories—installment loans and revolving lines of credit. When researching student loans, you will often read that they are considered as installment loans. Here’s what you need to know about them and how they work. How Installment Loans Work With installment loans, the borrower borrows a specific amount of money …

questions & answers

Are Student Loans Taxable?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on March 6, 2025

Like the vast majority of college students, the student loan process is probably your first introduction to the complex world of borrowing, lending, taxation, and repayment. When you first look at the numbers you’ll eventually be responsible for paying back, you might feel a bit overwhelmed. College tuition is expensive, the costs are only rising, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

questions & answers

What is the Difference Between Refinancing and Consolidating Student Loans?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

You’ll see these two words a lot when researching student loan options. After exhausting scholarship, grant, and work study opportunities, many students and families turn to student loans in order to pay for a higher education. (And a quick reminder, you should always check out federal loan options before even considering looking at private loans). …