student loans

How you could pay off student loans fast: 10 strategies to reduce debt quicker

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 20, 2026

In this article Paying off student debt faster starts with understanding your loans, including interest rates and balances. Sticking to a budget and tracking your spending can help you free up more money to put toward student loan payments. Making extra payments, even small ones, can help reduce total interest and help you pay off …

student loans

Student Loan Forgiveness for Teachers

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you’re a teacher now, then you’re probably right in the midst of experiencing the troubles that many other teachers face–generally low starting salaries despite having a stack of student loans that seems like it could reach to the moon and back. You’ve probably heard rumblings about teachers being eligible for forgiveness of their student …

student loans

The Ultimate Guide to Refinancing Your Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on November 14, 2024

Refinancing replaces your existing loans with a new loan through a private vendor, and could potentially change your interest rate, monthly payments, and terms. Refinancing could save you thousands of dollars in the long run, especially if you can score a lower interest rate, or help you better manage high monthly payments. All refinancing is …

student loans

What Happens if You Default on Student Loans (It’s Not Pretty)

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on February 25, 2025

What happens if you don’t pay student loans? The short answer is – a lot. As soon as you miss the first payment, your student loan enters delinquency. Your loan remains in delinquency status until you make that payment. If your federal student loan continues to remain unpaid for 270 days, it enters default. Private …

student loans

What to Do If You Can’t Afford Your Student Loan Payments

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on April 28, 2025

If you are struggling to afford your student loan payments, you’re likely not alone. Whether you are dealing with unexpected expenses or job loss, or simply aren’t making enough to cover monthly payments, there are options. If you can’t afford your student loan payments, the most important step is to take action as soon as …

student loans

3 Strategies for Saving Money on Your Student Loans

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025

Are you feeling stressed about your student loan payments? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students graduate from college with debt. Some borrowed more than others, but almost all students agree that paying back your student loans can affect everything from buying a new car to buying your first house or even …

student loans

Is Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Right For You? 8 Things You Need to Know

By Tyler HakesLast updated on February 25, 2025

Many people with student loan debt hear about the federal government’s income-based repayment program (IBR) for direct loans and think it may be too good to be true. Who wouldn’t want to have their monthly payment capped at a fixed percent of their monthly income? If you’ve just recently graduated and you’re working an entry-level position …

student loans

When to Refinance Your Student Loans: 5 Signs Now Is the Time

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many students go through similar experiences with their student loans. When you’re in college, it all seems like some sort of distant reality. You know you’re accumulating student loan debt, but you haven’t considered how much you’ll ultimately owe, or what the payments will look like. Understandably so, because school is your main focus. But, …

student loans

Student Loan Refinancing 101: 5 Steps to Start Refinancing Your Student Loans

By Tyler HakesLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you’re like most students thinking about student loan refinance, then you’re probably feeling a whole lot of anxiety. You know that you could save money by refinancing (maybe?) but trying to unravel the process is like untangling your headphones after you’ve carried them around in your backpack all day. Consolidation? Refinance? Income-based repayment? What’s …

student loans

Understanding College Debt Levels and Student Loan Payments

By William StaibLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many families get buried in huge college debt and massive monthly loan payments that they didn’t expect after graduation. Unfortunately, that can greatly impact both the student who took out loans and their family members. This applies to both the time spent in college and well into the student’s future. College Affordability One of the …