student loans

Student Loan Deferment: What Does It Mean?

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 25, 2025

Loans can be as diverse as the people who take them out. There are many options available that can affect interest rates, the amount you can take out, whether or not you need a co-signer, etc. It’s important to do your research and know your options before committing to anything. What it Means to Defer …

student loans

Calculating The Cost Of College Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

For many families, taking a loan is the only way to make up for the deficit in funds after exhausting all other sources for free financial aid and scholarships. While taking a loan does help bridge that gap between the total fees and your available funds, it is important to understand how much you will …

student loans

Student Loan Glossary

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

As you look into the different student loans available, you are likely to come across a slew of words you’ve never heard before. One loan may talk about obtaining a co-signor. Another may include options regarding amortization and capitalized interest. Yet another mentions that you can contact the bursar for further information. Not knowing what …

student loans

How to Look for Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 12, 2025

Most students find that they need to utilize multiple funding sources to pay for their college tuition. Generally, it’s best to exhaust federal aid, scholarships, then federal student loans. If you still have costs to cover after all of that, it might be time to start looking for private student loans. You have a couple …

student loans

What Does “Co-Signing” a Loan Mean?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When applying for a student loan, many lenders ask students to have a co-signer for co-signing a loan. What is a co-signer? A co-signer shares the responsibility with the student to ensure timely repayments. Essentially, if the student who is taking out the loan can not—for whatever reason—repay, it’s up to the co-signer to do …

student loans

New Year Resolution: Understand Student Loans

By Dave LandryLast updated on December 22, 2022

A new year almost always means new goals and resolutions for many students and former students. Along with getting healthier, one of the top New Year’s resolutions is to pay off debt and save money. Student loans account for a large amount of debt for many people. Getting them paid off can be an overwhelming …

student loans

How do I Consolidate a Loan?

By Morgan StaubLast updated on December 22, 2022

Understanding various ways that you can make the college loan process easier on yourself is important knowledge to have going into school. A majority of prospective college students will need some source of financial help, and if you’re included in this chunk of the population and don’t opt to apply for scholarships, odds are you’ll …

student loans

The Difference Between a Variable Rate and a Fixed Rate

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 6, 2025

There are a lot of questions students ask before taking loans to pay for college. For those who need a private student loan, one such consideration is: “Should I choose a fixed rate or variable interest rates”? In order to know what’s right for you, you’ll have to compare the two types of interest rates …

student loans

Questions You Should Ask Your Private Student Loan Lender

By Allison WignallLast updated on March 3, 2025

College is pricey, which means students are looking for ways to pay for their college education. Student loans are one of many ways to pay for college—but unlike gift aid, loans have to be paid back. A private loan should only be considered after you’ve fully exhausted scholarships, grants, and federal aid programs. Even then, …

student loans

Dangers of Defaulting on Student Loans

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on March 24, 2025

Taking out student loans means eventually paying them back. Failing to make your loan payments on time can result in some pretty hefty consequences. When getting your loan, the lender sets legal terms that you sign for in a document. You also agreed to a schedule of paying back the loan. This document, the promissory …