Student Loans
16 MIN READ
How to Check Student Loan Balance?
Knowing exactly how much you owe on student loans is the foundation of smart repayment planning. This guide walks you through every step of locating, verifying, and understanding your student loan balances across federal and private loans, including how to read statements and avoid common mistakes
Olivia StratforLoan Insurance & Financial Protection Writer
What Is a Parent PLUS Loan and How Does It Work?Parent PLUS loans let parents borrow federal funds for their child's education, but they come with higher rates than student loans and place full repayment responsibility on the parent. Understand costs, eligibility, repayment rules, and alternatives before borrowing
Who Is My Student Loan Servicer and How to Find Out?Your student loan servicer manages billing, payments, and customer service—but many borrowers don't know who services their loans. This guide explains how to identify your federal or private loan servicer, what happens during transfers, and why this information is critical for repayment success
Most read
- 1How to Check Student Loan Balance?Olivia Stratfor/Mar 19, 2026/16 MIN
- 2What Is a Private Student Loan and How Does It Work?Matthew Redford/Mar 19, 2026/15 MIN
- 3Does Student Loan Forbearance Affect Credit Score?Matthew Redford/Mar 19, 2026/12 MIN
- 4How to Decide if Student Loan Consolidation Is Right for You?Brandon Ellery/Mar 19, 2026/14 MIN
- 5What Is a Perkins Loan and How Did It Work?Hannah Kingsley/Mar 19, 2026/13 MIN
- 6What Is a Student Loan and How Does It Work?Brandon Ellery/Mar 19, 2026/12 MIN
Fresh
How to Decide if Student Loan Consolidation Is Right for You?Federal student loan consolidation can simplify your payments and unlock forgiveness programs—or reset your progress and cost you thousands. This guide explains eligibility, benefits, drawbacks, and exactly when consolidation helps versus when it hurts your finances
How to Check Student Loan Balance?Knowing exactly how much you owe on student loans is the foundation of smart repayment planning. This guide walks you through every step of locating, verifying, and understanding your student loan balances across federal and private loans, including how to read statements and avoid common mistakes
What Is a Private Student Loan and How Does It Work?Private student loans from banks and credit unions help cover education costs when federal aid falls short. Unlike federal loans, private lenders set their own terms based on creditworthiness. Understanding how they work and when they fit helps you avoid costly mistakes
What Is a Student Loan and How Does It Work?Student loans bridge the gap between college costs and what families can afford. Understanding these financial instruments—including federal versus private options, repayment plans, and common mistakes—can mean the difference between manageable debt and decades of financial strain
Top stories
Who Is My Student Loan Servicer and How to Find Out?Your student loan servicer manages billing, payments, and customer service—but many borrowers don't know who services their loans. This guide explains how to identify your federal or private loan servicer, what happens during transfers, and why this information is critical for repayment success
Most read
- 1How to Check Student Loan Balance?Olivia Stratfor/Mar 19, 2026/16 MIN
- 2What Happens to Student Loan Debt When You Die?Matthew Redford/Mar 19, 2026/17 MIN
- 3How to Decide if Student Loan Consolidation Is Right for You?Brandon Ellery/Mar 19, 2026/14 MIN
- 4What Is a Parent PLUS Loan and How Does It Work?Olivia Stratfor/Mar 19, 2026/19 MIN
- 5Does Student Loan Forbearance Affect Credit Score?Matthew Redford/Mar 19, 2026/12 MIN
- 6Grad PLUS Loan Guide for Graduate StudentsBrandon Ellery/Mar 19, 2026/16 MIN
In focus
Does Student Loan Forbearance Affect Credit Score?Student loan forbearance won't damage your credit if handled correctly. Discover how forbearance appears on credit reports, how it compares to deferment, common mistakes that do hurt your score, and what happens after forbearance ends
Does Student Loan Forbearance Affect Credit Score?Student loan forbearance won't damage your credit if handled correctly. Discover how forbearance appears on credit reports, how it compares to deferment, common mistakes that do hurt your score, and what happens after forbearance ends
What Is a Parent PLUS Loan and How Does It Work?Parent PLUS loans let parents borrow federal funds for their child's education, but they come with higher rates than student loans and place full repayment responsibility on the parent. Understand costs, eligibility, repayment rules, and alternatives before borrowing
What Is a Parent PLUS Loan and How Does It Work?Parent PLUS loans let parents borrow federal funds for their child's education, but they come with higher rates than student loans and place full repayment responsibility on the parent. Understand costs, eligibility, repayment rules, and alternatives before borrowing
What Is a Perkins Loan and How Did It Work?The Perkins Loan program offered low-interest federal loans to students with exceptional financial need until ending in 2017. Thousands still repay these loans today. Understand how Perkins Loans worked, repayment options, profession-based forgiveness, and whether consolidation makes sense for your situation
What Is a Perkins Loan and How Did It Work?The Perkins Loan program offered low-interest federal loans to students with exceptional financial need until ending in 2017. Thousands still repay these loans today. Understand how Perkins Loans worked, repayment options, profession-based forgiveness, and whether consolidation makes sense for your situation
When Does Student Loan Repayment Start After Graduation?Understanding when your student loan payments begin can save you from financial surprises and credit damage. The timing varies based on your loan type, enrollment status, and individual circumstances. Most federal loans offer a six-month grace period, but the clock starts ticking based on specific triggers many borrowers overlook
When Does Student Loan Repayment Start After Graduation?Understanding when your student loan payments begin can save you from financial surprises and credit damage. The timing varies based on your loan type, enrollment status, and individual circumstances. Most federal loans offer a six-month grace period, but the clock starts ticking based on specific triggers many borrowers overlook
Who Is My Student Loan Servicer and How to Find Out?Your student loan servicer manages billing, payments, and customer service—but many borrowers don't know who services their loans. This guide explains how to identify your federal or private loan servicer, what happens during transfers, and why this information is critical for repayment success
How to Decide if Student Loan Consolidation Is Right for You?Federal student loan consolidation can simplify your payments and unlock forgiveness programs—or reset your progress and cost you thousands. This guide explains eligibility, benefits, drawbacks, and exactly when consolidation helps versus when it hurts your finances
What Is a Student Loan and How Does It Work?Student loans bridge the gap between college costs and what families can afford. Understanding these financial instruments—including federal versus private options, repayment plans, and common mistakes—can mean the difference between manageable debt and decades of financial strain
What Is a Private Student Loan and How Does It Work?Private student loans from banks and credit unions help cover education costs when federal aid falls short. Unlike federal loans, private lenders set their own terms based on creditworthiness. Understanding how they work and when they fit helps you avoid costly mistakes