Private student loans

It is generally recommended that undergraduate students exhaust their federal student loan options before considering a private student loan. If you know you are interested in a federal student loan, please visit the Department of Education’s website by clicking here .

If you are not sure what type of loan you want you may have options around how you pay for your education. Understanding your choices can help you make the right decision for your situation. Read more

Compare your college costs and financial aid offers

Be sure you know whether you are being offered grants, scholarships, work study, or loans. If you are weighing multiple financial aid offers, our Paying for College tool can help you compare your offers. Use our comparison tool

Find out how to apply for student loans

• Explore basics

• Co-signer
• Cost of attendance
• FAFSA®
• Federal student loans
• Grant
• GI Bill®
• Private student loans
• Student loan servicer
• Subsidized loan
• Total loan balance
• Unsubsidized loan
• Work study
• Explore key terms

• You are applying for student loans, but do not know how much to borrow
• Your grants and scholarships do not cover the cost of attendance
• You are a parent and want to borrow student loans for your child’s education
• Explore common issues

• Servicemembers have protections for both federal and private student loans
• If your school closes while you are enrolled, you may be able to discharge your loans
• You are considering co-signing a student loan
• Explore your rights

• How to choose the right school for you
• How to apply for student loans
• How to manage your college money
• Explore how-to guides

Learn how to find information about your student loans

It is important to understand the terms of your student loan so that you know how much you owe, when to begin paying, and how much to pay. Read more

Explore student loan repayment options

Paying off your student debt can be confusing. Walk through your options to pay off your loans. Read more

Learn about repayment programs for people in public service

There are programs to help you manage your federal student loan debt while pursuing a career in public service. Read more

• Explore basics

• Co-signer release
• Deferment
• Default
• Discharge due to disability or death
• Extended Repayment
• Forbearance
• Graduated Repayment
• Income-Driven Repayment Plans
• Loan consolidation
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Standard Repayment
• Student loan servicer
• SCRA
• Explore key terms

• You cannot afford your student loan payment
• You are considering consolidating or refinancing your student loan
• You have co-signed on a student loan that is in default
• Explore common issues

• How do I avoid student loan scams?
• If you are serving or have served in the military you may be eligible for loan relief
• You have rights when dealing with debt collectors
• Explore your rights

• How to find out the balance on your student loans
• How to apply for income-driven repayment plans
• How to change your student loan repayment plan
• Explore how-to guides