Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ...

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are often the cheapest borrowing option, followed by Direct Plus Loans and private graduate ...

A new law will mean lower federal loan limits for some students and parents who help pay. Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect on July 1, 2026, and could impact your ability to pay ...

Federal Direct Loans are originated by the federal government and don’t come with credit criteria. Federal student loan rates for the 2025-2026 school year range from 6.39% to 8.94%. Consider maxing ...

The U.S. has approved more than $42 billion in federal student loan debt forgiveness for more than 615,000 borrowers in the past 18 months as part of a program aimed at getting more people to work in ...

The cost of college — including tuition, housing, textbooks and other fees — adds up for families. However, students are often eligible for financial aid, including scholarships, ...

Graduate students may apply for Federal Direct Loans by submitting a FAFSA. Legacy borrowers may apply for Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Your financial aid award notification will include details about ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Adam Minsky is an attorney and writer focusing on student loans. Several million borrowers may lose access to affordable payments ...