student loans

What You Should Do During Your Student Loan Grace Period

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 24, 2025

If you took out student loans during your college career and graduate or leave school early, you usually have a student loan grace period afterward. This period tends to be six months long, but some can be longer. Here are some things you should be doing during that window. Gather Your Information Over the last …

student loans

2 Things to Consider in Picking the Right Student Loan

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

When you take a loan, at some point you will have to pay it back with interest. Picking the wrong loan could leave you struggling with overwhelming debt after you graduate. To avoid getting into this situation, it is absolutely crucial that you take some time to choose the right loan for you. The best …

student loans

The Advantage Of Federal Student Loans Over Private Ones

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Student loans fall under two broad categories—federal student loans and private student loans. As the name suggests, the federal government offers federal loans. A private student loan is offered by private lenders such as banks, schools, credit unions, and state agencies. There is a huge difference between these two types of loans. Federal student loans …

student loans

A Step By Step Guide: How to Take Out Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

Learning how to take out student loans is an important skill in the college application process. Most families in America can’t afford to pay for their kid’s college tuition using their personal finances alone. After exhausting scholarships, grants, and work-study programs, students turn to loans to pay for college. When you start looking for student loans, …

student loans

What Does Forbearance Mean?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 24, 2025

Forbearance is a special type of program that gives students temporary relief from making their loan payments. This is a great alternative for students if money is tight and they cannot afford to make their scheduled loan payments. Unlike when you defer your student loans, where the outstanding payment does not accrue any interest, under forbearance …

student loans

Are You Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

According to the National Student Loan Data System for Students, around 25% of the American workforce may be eligible for forgiveness programs. However many people lose out of the benefits of student loan forgiveness simply because they presume they are not eligible. Take the time to learn about how student loan forgiveness works and also …

student loans

Can Student Loans Be Used For Living Expenses?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 6, 2025

The short answer is yes, you can use student loans for living expenses. Student loans aren’t meant to cover only tuition and textbooks. They are intended to make it easier for students to get the basic necessities so they can focus on their education instead of worrying about how they’re going to pay for college. …

student loans

3 Common Myths Surrounding Student Loan Consolidation

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Student loan consolidation allows you to combine multiple federal student loans into one loan so that you make only one payment every month instead of multiple payments. This option offers several benefits to borrowers. Unfortunately, the myths surrounding student loan consolidation cause a lot of confusion resulting in many students making the wrong decision, which …

student loans

What NOT To Do With Your Student Loan Money

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 28, 2023

Is it illegal to spend student loan money? Even if it isn’t illegal, should you spend your student loan money on unrelated purchases? The big question is, are you allowed to do that? When you apply for a federal student loan, the funds are disbursed directly to your school. The school’s financial office deducts what it …

student loans

Student Loan Borrower Benefits: What are They?

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on December 22, 2022

Have you looked into applying for loans to help you pay for college? Student Loan Options Loans can be a good option for many students—after they exhaust all scholarship, grant, and work study options, of course. In your research, you might have come across something called borrower benefits. Put simply, these could be considered small …