student loans

Types of Graduate Student Loans

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 1, 2026

Key takeaways: Graduate student loans are loans offered to students who have completed their undergraduate degree and are going to graduate school. Many graduates are eligible for federal direct unsubsidized loans through the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates with strong credit or a co-signer may be able to take out private student loans. Students can …

student loans

Can you get a student loan before enrolling in college?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 1, 2023

In short, yes, you can apply and secure funds for a student loan before enrolling into college. But you will not receive the funds until you start school. It’s important to know all the facts about student loans before you go to college. There are multiple loan types that have different interest rates, payback options, …

student loans

Changes To The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

On October 6, 2021, the Education Department announced several changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This should come as a relief to thousands of federal student loan borrowers. The changes will help qualified borrowers get relief earlier than they had hoped. Qualified borrowers include nonprofit employees and public servants such as government …

student loans

Pros and Cons of Consolidating Federal Student Loans

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of consolidating federal student loans before choosing this option. Consolidating federal student loans involves combining many federal loans into one loan. Resulting with one monthly payment amount and one payment due date. With less loans to track, it reduces the risk of missing a payment. There are …

financial advice & planning, student loans

Student Loan Payments Paused Until May 01, 2022 – Should You Pay Anyway?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 29, 2023

There are some compelling benefits to making federal student loan payments even though the pause has been extended. However, this may not necessarily be the best option for everyone. Whether you should pay or not depends largely on your financial circumstances. The student loan pause or forbearance was initiated by the federal government in 2020 …

financial advice & planning, student loans

What Happens When Student Loan Payment Pause Ends? What Are My Options?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

The student loan payment pause ends on May 1, 2022. It was put in place to offer temporary relief to student borrowers affected by the COVID pandemic. Only federal student loans held by the U.S. Department of Education are eligible for the payment pause and interest waiver. The program was initiated on March 13, 2020 …

financial advice & planning, student loans

Should I Refinance My Federal Student Loans Before The Moratorium Ends?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on January 24, 2023

The federal student loan moratorium is set to end May 1, 2022. Loan payments as well as interest are set to resume after that. The question on most borrowers’ mind right now is: ‘Should I refinance my federal student loans before the moratorium ends?’. It’s not surprising that everyone’s got refinancing on their mind. Interest …

financial advice & planning, student loans

12 Things To Do Before Student Loan Payments Restart On May 01, 2022

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 5, 2025

Initiated as a COVID-19 emergency relief measure in early 2020, the student payment pause has been extended several times over the past two years. The latest extension was announced by President Joe Biden in mid-December 2021. According to that announcement, student loan payments restart on May 01, 2022. The two year payment pause has given …

student loans

What Are Student Loan Rehabilitation Programs?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Student loan rehabilitation programs are designed to offer students a structured path out of default. The U.S. Department of Education created this program specifically for federal Direct and FFEL loans. Federal Direct and FFEL loans go into default when the payment is not made for 270 days or more. This carries a series of serious …

student loans

Student Loans Cost More Than Just The Principal Balance

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022

Everybody knows that student loans are not free money – they come at a price. Unfortunately, many students underestimate exactly what that price is. There are interest and fees and sometimes even penalties. All in all, student loans cost more than just the principal balance. Let’s break it down.  The True Cost of Student Loans …