Student Loans
This hub covers the money decisions in paying off student debt: which repayment plan to pick, whether you qualify for forgiveness, and what each choice costs over the life of the loan. The rules trace to the Department of Education. It is free, and there is nothing to sign up for.
Federal and private are not the same debt
Federal loans carry protections private loans do not: income-driven payment plans, pauses when money is tight, and forgiveness programs. Private loans are a straight contract with a lender. Before comparing interest rates, know which kind you hold, because it decides which options are even on the table.
Where the interest starts
With federal loans, the biggest early difference is whether interest builds while you are still in school. A subsidized loan does not accrue interest during school and grace periods; an unsubsidized one does, so it can grow before the first payment is ever due. Same borrower, meaningfully different balance at graduation.
The plan changes the total, not just the payment
A lower monthly payment usually means a longer term and more interest paid in the end. Forgiveness can flip that math, but only if you meet the rules exactly. The real comparison is lifetime cost, not the number on the monthly bill.