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Latest Posts in balance

Why Did My Federal Student Loan Balance Drop to Zero?

If your federal student loan balance suddenly drops to zero, there are several logical reasons that might explain what happened.

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Improve the Ratio of Principal to Interest on Student Loan Payments

When payments go almost entirely towards interest, lenders profit and debt lingers. Fortunately, there are ways to improve this situation.

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bar chart showing increasing numbers to represent a growing student loan balance

Why is my Student Loan Balance Increasing?

There are several explanations for why a student loan balance would go up even though the borrower has made payments.

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student loan interest not principal

Getting Student Loan Payments to Count Towards Principal and Not Interest

Payments toward interest are profits for lenders. Payments towards the principal balance eliminate debt.

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When Does Student Loan Interest Get Added to My Balance?

Knowing when student loan interest gets added to your balance means you know how to prevent student loan interest from getting added to your balance.

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The Downside or Danger to Paying Off Student Loans in Full

Elimination of student debt is the goal of any student loan borrower, but there are few items to consider before making that last payment.

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Federal Student Loans and Capitalized Interest

Capitalized interest is one of the reasons that student debt can spiral out of control. It is also avoidable in many circumstances.

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What Happens to Student Loans During a Gap Year?

Taking a break from college can have a major impact on student loans. Problems can be minimized by planning ahead.

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interest rates going up

Understanding Student Loan Interest Accrual, Compounding Interest, and Lender Math

A basic understand of student loan interest is essential to make sure that lender mistakes get identified and corrected.

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  • RepaymentPLANS & FORGIVENESS
    • Lower Payments
    • Student Loan Forgiveness
    • Cosigner Issues
    • Repayment Plans
    • Loan Servicers
    • Consolidation
    • Debt Elimination
    • Parent PLUS Loans
  • RefinanceRATES, TIPS & REVIEWS
    • Refinance Reviews
    • Best Interest Rates
    • Lender Comparisons
    • Refinance Strategy
  • Life with LoansMARRIAGE, TAXES & MORE
    • Retirement
    • Home Ownership
    • Marriage
    • Taxes
    • Scam Alerts
  • PlanningSTUDENTS & PARENTS
    • Paying for School
    • Student Loan Reviews
    • Income Share Agreements