FAFSA Simplification: 8 Changes to Expect
Long-awaited changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form aim to make completing the form easier, unlocking aid to pay for college. The simplification effort also expands eligibility…
Anna Helhoski
Anna Helhoski is a writer and NerdWallet's authority on student loans. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. She recently paid off her own student loan debt and is motivated to help other borrowers do the same. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from SUNY Purchase. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @annahelhoski
Posts by Anna Helhoski:
Hoping for Student Loan Forgiveness Won’t Pay the Bills
Federal student loan borrowers are waiting with bated breath to see whether loan forgiveness — which President Joe Biden says he’ll make a priority — becomes a reality. Industry experts…
How to Reach a Student Loan Default Resolution
If you default on your federal student loans, you have two main options for getting out of it: loan consolidation or loan rehabilitation. Your defaulted debt will be sent to the…
How to Submit an Income-Driven Repayment Application
You’ll need to submit an income-driven repayment application at studentaid.gov or download a paper request form and submit it to your servicer (the company that sends you a bill every…
Federal Borrowers Get Additional Break on Student Loan Payments
Millions of student loan borrowers who haven’t had to make a payment since the pandemic shut down the nation last winter just got an additional reprieve, this time from President-elect…
Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Could Wipe Out Debt for 15 Million Borrowers
President-elect Joe Biden’s proposal to forgive $10,000 of federal student debt as COVID relief could erase loan balances for 15 million borrowers and reduce balances for millions more, according to…
Survey: 45% of Federal Student Loan Borrowers Unsure They Can Pay
When the deadly COVID-19 pandemic began taking a toll on the economy and Americans’ finances earlier this year, monthly payments were suspended automatically for more than 42 million federal student…
What Biden’s Win May Mean for Your Student Loans and College Plans
President-elect Joe Biden campaigned on promises that could ease the student debt burden for millions of Americans. But policy experts note these proposals will require either executive orders or cooperation…
How Can I Get Rid of Student Loans Without Paying?
There’s no simple way to get rid of student loans without paying. But for federal student loans, there are forgiveness programs available after you make payments and meet other qualifications.…
Is Student Loan Discharge in Bankruptcy Now Within Reach?
Student loan borrowers who seek to have their debt canceled in bankruptcy — what’s known as discharge — typically find it an expensive process with standards that can be difficult to…
