Private Student Loan Articles

Responsible Student Loan Borrowing

Are you worried about graduating with a mountain of debt? We've got some great strategies to help you borrow responsibly while making your college dreams a reality.

A Guide to Applying for Student Loans Before College

For many families, student loans are a key part of making college affordable. With the rising costs of tuition, housing, and other expenses, not everyone can pay for college out of pocket. That’s where student loans come in—they provide the financial support you need to invest in your education and your future.

Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?

While not impossible it is extremely difficult to discharge student loans in bankruptcy. If you are considering bankruptcy, read on to understand your options.

Do Student Loans Affect Credit Score?

Your credit score is positively affected by the on-time student loan payments you make, and negatively affected when you miss or make late paymentsYour credit score is positively affected by the student loan payments you make, and negatively affected when you don’t make payments..

Does a Cosigner Help Get a Private Student Loan

A cosigner is someone who agrees to share responsibility for repaying the loan if the primary borrower (you, the student) cannot make payments. This person can be a parent, relative, or even a friend. So, yes, having a cosigner can help get a private student loan.

Fixed vs Variable Interest Rates for Private Student Loans

Choosing the right type of interest rate for your private student loan is essential for your long-term financial health. Interest rates can be either fixed or variable, and each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

How do Private Student Loans Work

With private student loans, you must carefully consider your options to select a loan with terms that fit your needs.

How to Apply for a Private Student Loan

Private student loans are educational loans provided by private lenders such as banks, credit unions, online lenders, and other financial institutions. Private student loans typically require a credit check and may require a co-signer if the your credit score is low or if you have little or no income. The interest rates on private student loans may be variable or fixed.

How to Find a Creditworthy Cosigner

The rising costs of college have made it more difficult to cover all the costs without having to borrow money in many cases. Private student loan lenders generally want student borrowers, (who for the most part lack a credit history), to have a cosigner to ensure the loan has a higher probability of being repaid on-time and in full.

Low Interest Student Loans

Student loans are often necessary to help pay for college. Finding low interest student loans will help save money on the total cost of your education.

Private Student Loan Forgiveness

Private student loan forgiveness does not exist; at least not in the same way that federal student loan forgiveness exists. This article will examine some of the things you may be able to explore with your lender, or potentially with your attorney if you’re pursuing bankruptcy.

Private Student Loans for Trade Schools

Attending trade school can be beneficial for a number of reasons. First and foremost, a trade school can save money when compared with traditional 4-year degree programs at colleges and universities. Because trade programs typically shorter than four-years, overall tuition costs are typically lower.

Pros and Cons of Private Student Loans

Learn the pros and cons of Private student loans, including borrowing up to your school’s certified cost of attendance, and potentially lower interest rates than federal student loans.

Smart Borrowing: Minimizing Student Loan Debt from Day One

Borrowing smartly from the start is one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to student loans. By only borrowing what you truly need and exploring alternatives like scholarships, grants, or part-time work, you can avoid taking on unnecessary debt.

Exploring Alternatives to Traditional Student Loans

Paying for college can feel impossible, especially with the rising costs that make it harder for many families to afford. It’s no surprise that student loans often become the go-to option, but they can leave you or your child with years of debt to pay off.

Student Loan Hacks

You can conquer your student loan debt. Here are some hacks, including tips on loan forgiveness, to help ease the burden of student loan debt.

Student Loans for Community College

One of the main advantages of a community college is that it can be much more affordable than attending a traditional four-year university. Community colleges are typically less expensive to attend, as tuition and other associated fees tend to be lower. That being said, you may need help paying for tuition and books even at a community college,

Best Student Loan Options for Residents of Massachusetts

If you're a Massachusetts resident looking to fund your college education, student loans can play a big role in making your dreams a reality. For many students and families, loans are an essential part of covering tuition, housing, books, and other expenses.

Best Student Loan Options for Residents of California

The cost of education in California has been rising steadily over the years, making it harder for students and families to afford college without extra help. Choosing the right student loan can make or break your financial future.

Best Student Loan Options for Residents of Illinois

Choosing the right student loan is a big deal, especially if you’re an Illinois resident getting ready to pay for college. Not all student loans are created equal, and making a smart choice now can save you money and stress later on.

Best Student Loan Options for Residents of New Jersey

If you’re planning to go to college in New Jersey, student loans might be something you’ll rely on to make your education possible. Many students and families can’t afford to pay the full cost of tuition, room, and board out of pocket, and that’s where student loans come in.

Best Student Loan Options for Residents of Texas

Higher education in Texas can be expensive, with tuition, fees, books, and living costs adding up quickly, making it necessary to borrow money to pay for everything. That’s why it’s so important for you to find the right student loan to help manage those expenses.

Student Loans for Summer School

Summer school is a great way for you to stay on track with your education or even get ahead. By taking summer classes, you can earn credits faster, graduate earlier, or catch up on any classes you might have missed. It’s a smart option if you want to make the most of your time and reach your academic goals more quickly.

Student Loans vs Personal Loans

When considering your loan options, many students and parents wonder why they have to borrow a student loan. If they find a personal loan with better terms, or they’ve hit their student loan limits, wouldn’t this be an “okay” choice? While borrowing money is ultimately the choice of the borrower, it’s important to understand how each type of debt works before you make that decision.

Student Loans without a Credit History

If you have poor or no credit score, or don’t have a creditworthy cosigner it is likely you won’t be eligible for a traditional private student loan.

Can You Transfer Your Student Loans

Questioning the ability to transfer student loans to another lender is common among borrowers because it can lead to better repayment terms and lower interest rates . This action is more typically referred to as consolidation or loan refinancing.

What are Private Student Loans

Private student loans provide you with an opportunity to borrow money to pay for your college, university, or other post-secondary educational expenses. Unlike federal student loans, private student loans are not funded by the government and are typically subject to private lenders’ terms and conditions.

Where to Find Student Loans

If you are looking for a student loan, there are a number of options available to you. Depending on your situation, you may be able to choose from federal loans, private loans or both.

What Is the Average Student Loan Interest Rate?

When shopping for student loans, it's helpful to know the average student loan interest rate of private and federal student loans.

Best Nursing School Loans May 2025

There are federal and private student loans available for nursing school. Once you’ve exhausted federal student loans, private student loans may help you fill the funding gap. Learn more about your federal and private student loans options.

Best Private Student Loans for May 2025

Once you’ve exhausted federal aid, private student loans can help fill in gaps in college funding. Learn how to find the best private student loan option for you.

Emergency Student Loans

Colleges and lenders have programs in place to help you make ends meet when you need it most. Learn more about emergency help, including federal, state, institutional and private student loan options.

How Does Interest on Student Loans Work?

Interest on a student loan is the cost you pay for borrowing money. Federal and private student loans have different interest rates and formulas for calculating interest.

Income Share Agreements

Income Share Agreements (ISAs) provide students with money to pay for college in exchange for a percentage of their income after graduation. Learn about using ISAs to pay for college.

What are Institutional Loans for Students?

Many colleges and universities offer their own loans to help students and families pay for college. Institutional loan funds typically come from the college’s resources, alumni, corporations, foundations, donors and repayments from prior college loan borrowers.

Best International Student Loans

International students have limited U.S. loan options when it comes to borrowing to pay for college. There are lenders that work with international students, particularly if they have an eligible cosigner.

Student Loans for Students Attending a Texas College or University

Are you a Texas resident or an out-of-state student attending a school in Texas? Discover student loan options specifically for students in Texas.

Private Student Loan Interest Rates

Find current private student loan interest rates and compare to federal student loan interest rates to find the loan that is right for you.

Private Student Loans and Credit

Credit is a big factor in getting approved for a private loan for college. Learn how banks judge your credit and how this affects your loan options.

Private Student Loans: Myth vs. Reality

Have you heard a lot about private student loans? We're busting 7 common myths with expert advice.

Student Loan Comparison: Federal Loans vs Private Loans

Compare your student loan options easily with our comparison tables. Understand the benefits of Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, and private student loans.

Student Loan APR: Calculating the Real Costs

Federal student loan interest rates are as low as @SUIRCurrent%, and private loans start around @LowestRateIS. But what does it really cost to borrow? Origination fees and other factors make a big difference on federal and private student loans.

Private Student Loan Cosigner: Everything you Need to Know

Having a student loan cosigner is a great way to get approved for a private student loan and qualify for a lower interest rate. A cosigner can be any responsible adult who fits the criteria. Look for a lender that offers cosigner release as a way to relieve your cosigner of their responsibility once you’ve made a series of on-time payments.

2022 Student Loan Handbook

Student Loans Options for Borrowers With Bad Credit

Learn which student loans do not require a credit check, and what you need to know to qualify for credit-based student loans.

Student Loans Without a Cosigner

Students who do not have a cosigner are still eligible for student loans. Options include federal student loans, as well as some private lenders if you qualify. Learn more.