Basics Articles
9 articles on basics. Browse the full blog index or jump to another topic below.
Why Student Loan Debt Is So High: It Is Not Tuition
Tuition is not why student loan debt reached $1.86 trillion. Net tuition has fallen since 2012. Here is where the money actually goes, and what the clock costs.
Student Loans in Divorce: Who Pays What
A divorce decree can split a student loan between spouses, but the lender is not bound by it. Here is how federal, private, and joint consolidation loans actually work in a divorce.
Grad PLUS Loans Are Ending: What Borrowers Do Now
Starting July 1, 2026, grad PLUS loans are closed to most new graduate borrowers, with a narrow exception for continuing students. Here is who still qualifies, the new borrowing limits, and the alternatives.
Student Loan Forgiveness Scams: 7 Red Flags
Student loan forgiveness is real for some borrowers, which is why scammers use the word. Here are the red flags that separate a legitimate program from a company trying to charge you for something that is free.
Private Student Loans: How They Work and When to Use Them
Private student loans come from banks and online lenders, not the government, so they run on your credit instead of your income. Here is how they differ from federal loans, what rates and terms to expect, and the one case where a private loan makes sense.
Student Loan Servicer: Who Holds Your Loans in 2026
Your student loan servicer is the company that sends your bill and manages your account, and it may not be the one you started with. Here is how to find your current servicer on StudentAid.gov, what a transfer means for your payments, and how to spot the scams that imitate them.
Student Loan Default: What Happens and How to Recover
Default is not the same as missing one payment. For federal loans it usually takes about 270 days, and the fallout goes far beyond a credit score. Here is what actually triggers default, what it costs you, and the two paths that pull a loan back out.
Forbearance vs Deferment: Which Pauses Payments (2026)
Both pause your student loan bill, but one can leave you with no new interest and the other adds it to your balance every month. Here is how deferment and forbearance actually differ, what each does to your credit and your PSLF count, and which to pick.
Student Loan Amortization Schedule Explained
An amortization schedule shows exactly how much of each payment goes to interest vs. principal. We explain how it works and why early payments are mostly interest.