Federal vs. Private Student Loans: What You Need to Know
There are several important differences between private student loans and federal loans that all borrowers should understand.
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Student Loan Basics
New to student loans? Here are the basic terms that all borrowers should understand.
Student Loan Borrowing Limits for Federal and Private Loans
Federal student loan borrowing limits vary by year of school, while private loans follow a different set of rules for maximum loan size.
Student Loan Origination Fees: The Basics and Avoiding Them
Loan origination fees should be avoided for nearly all student loans. Federal loans are a noteworthy exception to this rule.
How do lenders decide on my student loan interest rate?
There are many factors that go into determining a student loan interest rate. Some are based on the borrowers but others are not.
Cosigners on Student Loans: A Last Resort Option
Lenders have made cosigning on student loans a routine practice, but cosigning any loan is a risky decision with major consequences.
Graduate PLUS Loans vs. Private Loans
Private lenders like to compare rates against Graduate PLUS loans, but when you compare all of the loan features, Graduate PLUS loans usually come out ahead.
Deciding Between Parent PLUS Loans vs. Private Student Loans
Borrowers should almost always choose federal student loans over private loans. However, a private loan might work better than a Parent PLUS loan in some circumstances.
Should I take out a student loan to build up my credit score?
A student loan might help your credit score as a college student, but there are better ways to build a credit history.