Student Debt Resources

Information to help you make the right choices for you

Know Your Financial Aid Options

Grants and scholarships are the best way to reduce your student debt burden after college because they do not have to be repaid.

Applying for Financial Aid

Financial Aid can help make college more affordable.

How to Understand Your College Financial Aid Offer

Follow these steps to decipher your aid offer and understand your options for covering the cost of college.

College Cost 101: Key Terms to Understand

Understanding key terms can help decipher the true cost of college.

How to Use a Net Price Calculator When Looking for Colleges

Need help figuring out which colleges you might be able to afford? Use net price calculators to find a personalized estimate.

What to Do if Your College Financing Falls Short

If you're facing expenses that aren't covered by traditional financial aid, you still have options.

What to Know if You Need to Borrow Loans to Cover the Cost of College

Borrowing for college is an important decision with long-term impact. Here's how the student loans work.

Five Things to Know About Federal Student Loan Repayment

There are a number of repayment plans available to federal loan borrowers.

The Federal Government's Role in the Student Loan System

Approximately 9 in 10 student loans come from the federal government.

Why Does the Federal Government Provide Student Loans?

College access is good for society, but student loans are a complicated business

How Big is the Student Debt Problem?

Student debt has been rising faster than any other source of household debt.

Student Debt and the Federal Budget

The government currently borrows more to fund new student loans than it receives in payments from existing loans.

Holding Colleges Accountable for Student Debt

Should colleges face penalties if their students can’t afford to pay back their debt?

What to Know About Income-Driven Repayment?

For borrowers who can’t afford to make their student loan repayments, Income-Driven Repayments could be a solution.

How Do Other Countries Handle Student Debt?

Student loans are actually quite common in other countries and the list of countries where students take on debt to pay for college is diverse.

What Can Be Done About Rising College Prices?

Many people want their state or the federal government to do more to keep college affordable.

Student Debt, Racial Inequality, and the American Dream

Studies estimate that about 5 percent of the racial wealth gap can be blamed on student debt.