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Overlay text "SAR" against white and green background.
questions & answers

What is the Student Aid Report (SAR)?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you’ll receive your SAR sometime afterwards. The FAFSA is used to calculate what kind of financial need you personally have, which can make you eligible to several federal scholarships, grants, work study programs, or even loans. Essentially, the SAR is your “results” for what …
Overlay text "Plus Loans" against sky blue background with blue and violet stars.
questions & answers

Can Legal Guardians Take Out PLUS Loans?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
As their name would suggest, most student loans fall to the responsibility of the student themselves. However, there is one loan that revolves around the parents—PLUS loans. PLUS, in fact, stands for Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students and differs a little from other federal loans. It takes into consideration a family’s credit history, and is …
A piggy bank sitting outside -- what exactly is an outside scholarship
questions & answers

What is an “Outside” Scholarship?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 28, 2025
Outside scholarships are financial aid awards that help you fund your college education. Instead of coming from your college, they come from third party organizations, such as businesses or nonprofits. Since you don’t have to pay scholarships back*, they can be a great way to help pay for college. What Is an Outside Scholarship? An …
Should high schools require students to take a financial aid and literacy class
questions & answers

Should High Schools Require a Financial Aid & Literacy Class?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
When students bring up college, one of the very first conversation topics typically revolves around the cost. From tuition, to student loan debt, to scholarships, and more. But there seems to be one thing missing from a lot of those conversations—the availability of financial aid. Thus, should high schools require a financial aid and literacy …
Colorful envelope icons swirling around.
questions & answers

Why Are My Offer Letters So Different from One Another?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Comparing your offer letters from different schools you’ve been accepted into is one of many factors that can help you make your final college choice and where you’ll attend. You can weigh how much aid each school is willing to give against other perks or drawbacks in order to narrow down the list. But sometimes …
Is it possible to defer your student loans?
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 …

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