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How Often Should You Refinance Student Loans?

Consider refinancing student loans as often as your income or credit score improves or interest rates fall to get more favorable terms.

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Liza Carrasquillo

Fixed- or Variable-Rate Student Loan: Which Is Better?

Fixed rate student loans are a safer choice than those with variable rates.

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Eliza Haverstock, Ryan Lane, Trea Branch

How to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter

In your financial aid appeal letter, include a clear ‘ask’ and a specific ‘why.'

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Anna Helhoski

How to Use Student Loans for Living Expenses

Student loans can be used to pay for college costs, including living expenses.

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Anna Helhoski

Student Loan Consolidation Calculator: Compare Lower Payment Options

Calculate your potential monthly payments under student loan consolidation, refinancing or an income-driven repayment plan.

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Eliza Haverstock

What Is a Federal Pell Grant, and Who Is Eligible?

The Pell Grant is a need-based federal financial aid program for undergraduate college students from low- or middle-income households.

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Eliza Haverstock, Anna Helhoski

How to Get Student Loan Help

Most student loan borrowers can get the assistance they need for free from servicers or at studentaid.gov.

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Anna Helhoski, Eliza Haverstock

New Student Loan Maximums: How Much Can You Borrow For College?

Undergraduates can borrow up to $57,500 in federal direct student loans. Starting in 2026, federal loan limits for graduate students and parents will change. Private loans usually max out at your school’s cost of attendance.

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Eliza Haverstock, Anna Helhoski

Student Loan Payment Calculator

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Eliza Haverstock

How To Get Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness is available to borrowers on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Anna Helhoski, Teddy Nykiel

Current Student Loan Interest Rates and How They Work

The federal student loan interest rate for undergraduates in 2026-27 is 6.52% starting July 1.

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Elin Johnson

How to Get a Student Loan in 2026

Start with federal loans, which involves filling out the FAFSA to see aid and loan opportunities.

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Whitney Vandiver, Anna Helhoski

Weighted Average Interest Rate for Student Loan Consolidation

The weighted average interest rate is used to determine your new interest rate if you decide to consolidate your federal student loans.

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Cecilia Clark

5 Ways to Lower Your Student Loan Payments

Refinancing, asking for a payment decrease or choosing an income-driven repayment plan are key strategies to lower your monthly student loan bill.

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Anna Helhoski, Eliza Haverstock

Student Loan Default: What It Is and How to Recover

Borrowers can get federal student loans out of default with options like loan rehabilitation and consolidation.

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Eliza Haverstock, Shannon Bradley

How Borrower Defense to Repayment Works

Borrowers defrauded by their schools may seek student loan forgiveness through borrower defense to repayment.

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Eliza Haverstock, Anna Helhoski

What Is the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan for Student Loans?

Federal student loan borrowers can stay on IBR, even as other income-driven plans go away in 2028. Before choosing IBR, compare it with the newest repayment plan called RAP.

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Eliza Haverstock, Ryan Lane

What Are the 2026-27 FAFSA Requirements?

To qualify for financial aid, you’ll need to verify your citizenship, enrollment status and financial need.

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Anna Helhoski

Income-Driven Repayment Calculator for Student Loans

Use our calculator to estimate your monthly federal student loan payment under a legacy income-driven repayment plan or the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).

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Shannon Bradley

What Is the Student Loan Interest Deduction?

The student loan interest deduction allows you to deduct up to $2,500 from your taxable income.

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Lisa Mulka, Ryan Lane