Category: Student Loan Debt
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Do You Need a Co-signer for Student Loans?
Are you asking yourself, “Do I need a co-signer for student loans?” The answer depends on several factors, including the loan type. Federal student loans don’t require a co-signer, but private loans may need one. How to Find Out if You Need a Co-signer…
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How Parent PLUS Student Loans Work—and What They Really Cost
Parent PLUS loans are federal loans that eligible parents can borrow to help pay for a dependent undergraduate child’s education costs. They often come into the picture after scholarships, grants, work-study, and the student’s own federal loans have al…
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Military Student Loan Forgiveness: Programs, Eligibility, and How To Apply
Repaying student loans can be especially complicated for active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, and veterans. Military service doesn’t automatically erase student loan debt, but it may help you qualify for federal loan forgive…
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How Much Time Will It Really Take to Pay Off Your Student Loans?
Graduation is a big milestone. You’ve put in the work and now you’re ready to move forward. But for many Americans, one question follows: how long do you have to pay student loans? Student loan payments usually begin after you finish school, but how lo…
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Are 529 Contributions Pre-Tax or Post-Tax?
If you’re considering a 529 plan for college savings, you might be wondering whether contributions are pre-tax or post-tax. The answer is that 529 contributions are generally post-tax for federal purposes. You don’t get a federal tax deduction fo…
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How to Apply for Nonprofit Student Loan Forgiveness
If you work for a nonprofit and you’re carrying student debt, you’ve probably heard someone mention “loan forgiveness” in passing. The idea is real, but the path from “working for a nonprofit” to actually having loan…
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Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans? What Borrowers Need to Know
If you’re overwhelmed by education debt, you may be asking, “Can I file bankruptcy on student loans?” The answer is yes, it’s possible — but that doesn’t mean they’ll be erased right away. Unlike credit cards or medical bills, student loans…
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Loan Deferment: What It Means
If you’re struggling to keep up with loan payments, your lender may offer relief options. One of the most common is deferment, which lets you temporarily pause your payments. What is loan deferment, and when does it make sense to use it? Here’s what bo…
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When You Need to Start Paying Student Loans and How to Prepare
Graduation is a big milestone, and the last thing most people want to think about afterward is loan payments. But understanding when you have to start paying student loans, and what to do before that date arrives, can save you money, protect your credi…
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Income-Based Repayment: Student Loans
If you’re like many college graduates, you got a degree to improve your life. However, some graduates are finding that handling college debt is harder than they thought. If you qualify for income-based repayment, student loans may get easier to manage….