
Should I Pay Off Student Loans Early?
Save for emergencies and retirement, and get rid of credit card debt, before paying off student loans early.


Save for emergencies and retirement, and get rid of credit card debt, before paying off student loans early.


Capitalized interest is unpaid interest that's added to your student loan, increasing the total you repay.

Refinancing and lender discounts can lower the interest rate on your student loans.

Biweekly payments are an easy way to speed up repayment on your student loans.

Paying off high-interest student loans first will save you the most money.

Student loan forbearance can temporarily stop or lower your payments, but it usually increases the amount you owe.

If you need a quick student loan in an emergency, borrow from the federal government, your college or private lenders.

Consider refinancing student loans as often as your income or credit score improves or interest rates fall to get more favorable terms.

Fixed rate student loans are usually a safer choice than those with variable rates.

In your financial aid appeal letter, include a clear ‘ask’ and a specific ‘why.'

Student loans can be used to pay for college costs, including living expenses.

Use our calculator to see your new interest rate, monthly payment and repayment term if you consolidate your federal student loans. Also, learn how consolidation will affect your repayment options.

The Pell Grant is a need-based federal financial aid program for undergraduate college students from low- or middle-income households.

Most student loan borrowers can get the assistance they need for free from servicers or at studentaid.gov.

Undergraduates can borrow up to $57,500 in federal direct student loans. Starting in 2026, federal loan limits for graduate students and parents will change. Private loans usually max out at your school’s cost of attendance.


The federal student loan interest rate for undergraduates in 2026-27 is 6.52%.

Start with federal loans, which involves filling out the FAFSA to see aid and loan opportunities.

Borrowers can get federal student loans out of default with options like loan rehabilitation and consolidation.

Borrowers defrauded by their schools may seek student loan forgiveness through borrower defense to repayment.