Student Loans

A Perkins Loan was a federal program that provided low-interest loans to college students who demonstrated exceptional financial need. The program, which operated as the “Perkins Loan Program,” no longer exists. It was discontinued on September 30, 2017. The final disbursements were permitted through June 30, 2018. Although the program has been discontinued, many current […]

Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, taxpayers with active student loans are entitled to special deductions. These deductions apply to the interest paid on the loan in a given year. They help borrowers reduce the lifetime cost of their student loans by putting hundreds of dollars back into their pockets. However, the rules and the […]

Student debt is a major problem in America. The country collectively owes more than $1.5 trillion — yes, with a T — in outstanding student loans. It’s become a crippling problem for millions, as wages remain low and unemployment hit record highs in 2020. (Yes, part of that is pandemic related, but it’s still the […]

Cutting costs, sticking to a budget, and exacting as much value as possible on all fronts has largely become the financial modus operandi for many folks these days. Many government programs, such as the stimulus, have helped families as well. And in fact, the President’s order to allow student loan holders the option of delaying […]

For much of 2020, anyone with outstanding federal student loans were given a break. In the wake of the pandemic, the government offered a generous forbearance program that let borrowers breathe easy about those costly monthly payments. However, that original program is scheduled to end in September. If you’re still stressed about how you’re going […]

Student loans can be a real financial wrecker. The U.S. Federal Reserve estimates that Americans now owe between $900 billion and $1 trillion in student loan debt. That figure has been steadily growing since the 1980s. Other estimates put the total amount of student debt around $1.5 trillion. The average American leaving college owes more […]