Question 1

Am I Eligible to Refinance or Consolidate my Student Loans

Accepted Answer

Student loan refinancing and student loan consolidation are different methods of debt restructuring, and have different eligibility criteria. Private student loan refinance requires approval from a private student loan lender.

Question 2

How to Apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan?

Accepted Answer

You need to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before you can take out federal student loans, including Direct Loans (sometimes called Stafford Loans) and Perkins Loans.

Question 3

Are Credit Unions Better Than Banks

Accepted Answer

If you value community and cost savings, credit unions might be better. If you prioritize convenience and cutting-edge tech, a bank might suit you more.

Question 4

Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured

Accepted Answer

Credit unions are not insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Instead, they are insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), which provides similar protection.

Question 5

Are Scholarships Taxable

Accepted Answer

Generally, scholarships are not taxable income. In some instances, scholarships can be considered taxable income. That makes this question somewhat tricky to answer.

Question 6

Are there Credit Cards if you Have No Credit

Accepted Answer

Indeed there are. A number of companies are willing to help you start building your credit through the use of a student credit card, even if you have no proven track record or robust credit score to date.

Question 7

Are There Options for Private Student Loan Forgiveness

Accepted Answer

Borrower benefits, like forgiveness, vary by lender. Before you obtain a private student loan, it is recommended you review the terms and conditions for each loan you are considering.

Question 8

Are There Scholarships for Graduate Students

Accepted Answer

Yes, many scholarships are available for graduate students, though they can be less common than undergraduate scholarships. While fellowships are a primary source of merit-based funding for graduate study, scholarships are also available or master's and doctoral degrees.

Question 9

Are Trade Schools Worth It

Accepted Answer

Trades schools are a great option if you are looking to get working in your field sooner. Trade schools can also cost less than a traditional 4-year college potentially saving you money in tuition.

Question 10

What is the average student loan debt?

Accepted Answer

The average student loan debt for a bachelors degree is $36,510 and the average student loan debt for a masters degree is $71,318

Question 11

What are the benefits of consolidating federal student loans?

Accepted Answer

Federal consolidation loans allow borrowers to combine several federal student loans into one loan to streamline loan repayment. The monthly payment amount may decrease because repayment can be spread over a longer time period.

Question 12

Can a Cosigner be Removed from a Student Loan

Accepted Answer

If you cosigned a student loan and now would like to be removed, you and the borrower of the loan have three options: a cosigner release, refinance or consolidate the loan, pay off the loan.

Question 13

Can a Graduate Student Get a Subsidized Federal Student Loan

Accepted Answer

Graduate students are not eligible for subsidized federal student loans. Only undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need can receive Direct Subsidized Loans.

Question 14

Can Graduate Students Get Federal Student Loans

Accepted Answer

Graduate students can get federal student loans, but they cannot receive the Direct Subsidized Loan, which is only for undergraduates. Instead, their only option is Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Question 15

Can I Consolidate my Loans with my Parent Loans

Accepted Answer

No. Students may not include their parent’s Parent PLUS Loans in their Direct Consolidation Loan. However, if you are looking for options to transfer your parent's PLUS Loans to your name, this can be accomplished through a private student loan refinance.

Question 16

Can I Consolidate Private Student Loans Through the Government

Accepted Answer

At this time, you cannot consolidate private student loans through the government. But it is possible to consolidate private student loans by refinancing multiple student loans into one new loan. Refinancing is done through a private lender.

Question 17

Can I Consolidate Student Loans with my Spouse

Accepted Answer

You will not be able to consolidate your federal student loans with your spouse through the federal consolidation program (they ended the spousal consolidation option several years ago). However, some private lenders do allow spouses to combine their student loans when they refinance. Check with your lender to see if this option is available to you.

Question 18

Can I Get a Student Loan for a Certificate Program

Accepted Answer

Yes, some private student loan lenders offer options for students who are seeking professional training and trade certificate programs.

Question 19

Can I Lower my Interest Rate after Consolidation

Accepted Answer

A Direct Consolidation Loan provides auto-debit interest rate discounts for making automatic monthly payments by direct debit from a bank account (ACH). The interest rate reduction will be 0.25%.

Question 20

Can I Pay Off a Credit Card with my Student Loan

Accepted Answer

The short answer is nope, you shouldn’t do this. Student loans are intended to cover educational related expenses such as tuition, fees, textbooks, housing.

Question 21

Can I Pay Student Loans with a Credit Card

Accepted Answer

If you are looking to repay your federal student loans with a credit card, the answer is simple, no. Federal student loan services will not accept credit card payments for federal student loans. If you are a private student loan borrower, your lender may allow you to pay your student loan with a credit card.

Question 22

Can I Postpone Payments on a Student Loan

Accepted Answer

Federal student loans, including Direct Consolidation Loans, offer borrower benefits such as deferment and forbearance. As long as you meet the criteria and have not used up all your time, you may be able to temporarily postpone payments on your loans.

Question 23

Can I Refinance my Student Loans

Accepted Answer

While you can refinance your federal student loans, keep in mind, if you do refinance your federal loans with a private lender, you will lose the federal benefits on those loans.

Question 24

Can I Refinance my Student Loans After Consolidation

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes you can refinance your student loans after consolidation. If you previously refinanced your student loans through a private lender, you can refinance again with or without including any eligible new loans. It is advisable to go through the entire process again, from comparing lenders, to choosing a lender and applying. This will help ensure you get the interest rate and terms that are right for you.

Question 25

Can You Consolidate Student Loans From Different Lenders

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can consolidate (i.e., refinance) student loans from different lenders. When you apply to refinance your loans with a private student loan refinance lender, you can include all existing loans you may have, regardless of the lender.

Question 26

Can You Get A Scholarship While In College

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can get scholarship while in college. Most scholarships will not cover all the costs of education each year, so it’s good practice to regularly apply for scholarships you qualify for throughout your college years to help subsidized the cost the costs of school.

Question 27

Can You Pay for College with a Credit Card

Accepted Answer

Can you use a credit card to pay for college expenses? Just because you technically can does not necessarily mean you should. If you’re considering the pros and cons, here are some things to add to your evaluation.

Question 28

Can You Use Unofficial Transcripts for a Scholarship

Accepted Answer

It’s ultimately up to the scholarship provider. If you are applying for a  merit-based scholarship (i.e. grade-based) you may be required to provide an official transcript opposed to an unofficial transcript as decisions are made based upon the information, namely your GPA, as stated on your transcript

Question 29

What are the credit requirements for Grad PLUS loans?

Accepted Answer

The primary credit requirement of a Grad PLUS Loan is that the borrower must not have an adverse credit history.

Question 30

What's the difference between scholarships and grants?

Accepted Answer

Both scholarships and grants are forms of gift aid, which is money for college that does not need to be earned or repaid. Although people often use the terms scholarships and grants as synonyms or interchangeably, there are important differences.

Question 31

Are there any repayment discounts for private refinance loans?

Accepted Answer

Some lenders provide auto-debit discounts for making automatic monthly payments by direct debit from a bank account. Typical discounts include an interest rate reduction of 0.25% or 0.50%.

Question 32

DO AP Scores Matter in College Admissions

Accepted Answer

A high AP score of 4 or 5 will definitely look good on your transcript, as would any other high score, but there are other factors that college admissions officers may consider with more weight such as your high school GPA, standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT) as well as your personal statement essay.

Question 33

Do Credit Unions Offer Student Loans

Accepted Answer

Yes, many credit unions offer student loans, often with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms.

Question 34

Do Graduate Students Need to Fill Out the FAFSA

Accepted Answer

Students looking to go to graduate school should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if they are looking to access federal student loans, work-study, and federal grants.

Question 35

Do I Need Renter's Insurance

Accepted Answer

While no one plans for a disaster to strike, a renter’s insurance policy allows you to be prepared for the unexpected and covers your personal property.

Question 36

Do Private Student Loans Build Credit

Accepted Answer

Whether or no private student loans build credit depends on you. If you make all of your payments on time, your credit may improve over time. Late and missed payments may damage your credit.

Question 37

Do Private Student Loans Offer Cosigner Release

Accepted Answer

Some lenders offer cosigner release as an option on their private refinance loans. Typically, these require 12, 24, 36, or 48 months of consecutive on-time payments by the primary borrower.

Question 38

Do Private Student Loans Require Good Credit

Accepted Answer

Good credit is preferred by all private student loan lenders. In general, private student loan lenders are looking for borrowers to have FICO® a credit score of at least 680, a decent debt-to-income ratio, and at least two years of work history.

Question 39

Do Valedictorians Get Full Scholarships

Accepted Answer

While valedictorians certainly have impressive academic achievements and may very well have many other stand-out qualities, this does not ensure they will receive a full scholarship.

Question 40

Do You Have to Pay Back the FAFSA®

Accepted Answer

The FAFSA application is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student aid, it’s free to complete and submit. Based on the information provided on the FAFSA, you may be offered a federal student loan, if accepted, you will have to repay the loan.

Question 41

Do You Have to Pay for Community College

Accepted Answer

Yes, you do have to pay for Community College, but it typically will cost less than a 4-year college. In-state residents get the best tuition rates, so it would be beneficial to attend a community college near where you live to take advantage of the in-state discount.

Question 42

Do you Need a High School Diploma to go to Trade School

Accepted Answer

It depends on the trade school and the specific program you are interested in. Some trade schools may require a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED), while others may not have any formal education requirements.

Question 43

Does a Private Refinance Loan Have to be Approved by my School

Accepted Answer

No. Private refinance loans are not school-certified since they refinance existing loan debt.

Question 44

Does Harvard Give Scholarships

Accepted Answer

Yes, Harvard does give scholarships. The scholarships offered to undergraduate students are based upon demonstrated financial need and will cover 100% of the need that is determined.

Question 45

Does Private Student Loan Refinancing Affect My Credit Rating

Accepted Answer

Refinancing can increase or decrease your credit score, or it may remain unchanged. Refinancing reduces the number of outstanding loans, but the total amount of loan indebtedness does not change. If refinancing reduces your monthly payment through a longer repayment term, it may improve your credit score.

Question 46

Does the FAFSA Cover Trade School

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can cover trade school. Trade schools that participate in the federal student aid program can receive funding from the government to provide financial assistance to students.

Question 47

Does the Military Pay for College

Accepted Answer

Yes, the military does have programs that you can take advantage of to help pay for college. For qualified active-duty personnel, the Military Tuition Assistance program can pay up to 100% of your tuition.

Question 48

What is the Difference Between Federal and Private Student Loans

Accepted Answer

The main difference between a federal student loan vs a private is that federal student loans require you to complete the FAFSA and come with fixed interest rates.  Private loans may have fixed or variable rates and do not require the FAFSA.

Question 49

What should I do if I filed the FAFSA, but got no aid?

Accepted Answer

Some students will file the FAFSA, but won’t qualify for need-based student aid such as grants, scholarships that require financial need, and subsidized federal student loans. For example, more than half of undergraduate students who file the FAFSA don’t qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or other federal grants. But you do have options if you didn’t receive any need-based aid.

Question 50

How to Pay for Grad School

Accepted Answer

To qualify for federal, state, and college financial aid for graduate school, you have to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is required to receive federal and state grants and scholarships, as well as federal student loans, including Perkins Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Grad PLUS Loans.

Question 51

How Accessible are Professors

Accepted Answer

Accessibility of professors can vary depending on the institution and the specific professor. However, most professors are accessible and willing to help students succeed. While professors are there to help, they also expect students to take initiative in their learning. Don't be afraid to reach out and take advantage of the resources available to you.

Question 52

How Do Credit Cards Work

Accepted Answer

In a nutshell, credit cards allow you to charge purchases so you don’t have to spend cash up front. In exchange for that convenience, the credit card issuer charges interest when you repay what you’ve charged on the card, if you don’t pay the balance in full as dictated by the billing statement.

Question 53

How Do I Apply for a New Credit Card

Accepted Answer

First, check your credit report and credit score. Go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com to get a free copy of your credit report, next decide why type of card you want, then start shopping.

Question 54

How Do I Apply for the FAFSA®

Accepted Answer

Most people apply for the FAFSA online at StudentAid.gov . While it might be easier to fill out on a computer, it can be also be filled out through the mobile app called myStudentAid, or by filling out the paper FAFSA application and mailing it in.

Question 55

How Do I Calculate APR on a Credit Card

Accepted Answer

This is an important concept to nail down. The APR, or annual percentage rate, is the cost of credit conveyed as an annual rate. But what you really need to understand is the daily periodic rate. Most credit card companies use a method called Daily Balance which means interest is compounded daily.

Question 56

How Do I Find a Private Student Loan Lender That Works With My School

Accepted Answer

One way to find a private lender that works with your school is to contact your school’s financial aid office, you can also enter your school on the home page of Edvisors.com to see a list of lenders that work with your school.

Question 57

How Do I Locate my Student Loans

Accepted Answer

It is always best to determine if you have federal or private student loans, and who services them before you start the refinance or consolidation process. To find your federal student loans log into your My Federal Student Aid account with the U.S. Department of Education. For private student loans request your free annual credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Question 58

How Do I Refinance or Consolidate my Student Loans

Accepted Answer

To refinance your student loans, you need to find a lender that offers student loan refinancing. If you choose to combine your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan, you will need to submit an application to StudentLoans.gov.

Question 59

How Do I Spot a Student Loan Scam

Accepted Answer

There are some distinct methods student loan scammers use: they ask you to pay up-front fees, they charge monthly fees which are not part of your loan repayment, they promise you immediate, or some sort of loan forgiveness and more.

Question 60

How Do I Start a College Essay

Accepted Answer

The best way to start an essay is with a brainstorming session. Consider the topic, whether the topic is you (your personal statement) or an essay on any other topic that was prompted in the application. Write down your thoughts freely, structure is not important, getting all your thoughts down is what matters most.

Question 61

How Do I Transfer a PLUS Loan to a Child

Accepted Answer

If you want your child to take over responsibility of repaying a Parent PLUS loan, your child has the option to refinance the loan into his or her name. Your child will need to meet the eligibility criteria of a student loan refinance lender. If your child is unable to meet the credit criteria of the lender, he or she will have the option to add a creditworthy cosigner.

Question 62

How Do I Write a College Admissions Essay

Accepted Answer

Writing a college admission essay is your way to show college admissions officers that you can write well, but more important than that, your essay is your chance to share something about yourself that isn’t identifiable through your transcripts, activities, or other test scores.

Question 63

How Do Lenders Calculate Student Loan Payments

Accepted Answer

Student loan payments are calculated based upon the terms of your loan. This will include your interest rate, the repayment term of your loan (i.e. the number of years you agreed to pay the loan back within) and the current outstanding balance on your loan.

Question 64

How Do Meal Plans Work

Accepted Answer

Meal plans in college can vary significantly depending on the institution, but here's a general overview of how they usually work: pre-paid system, meal swipes, dining dollars, tiers/plans, unused meals, changing meal plans and off-campus use.

Student Aid Matters® FAQ