Federal grad loans just got smaller.
Here's exactly what to do next.
A plain-language guide to the new borrowing caps, the grandfather rules, and how to fill the gap — built by people who read the fine print so you don't have to.
Understand the Long-Term Value of Your Degree
Education is an investment. These research-backed statistics show how earning a degree can impact lifetime income.
Source: Social Security Administration research summary
Source: Inside Higher Ed, reporting on American University's Postsecondary Education & Economics Research Center
Source: OnlineMastersColleges 2026 Salary Report
Explainers for every decision point
Short and specific — written to meet you right where you are.
Student Loan Interest: by the numbers
Federal student loan rates went up again this year, the third straight year they've climbed. Here's what that actually costs you, and the one loan type that's now gone for good.
Read article →Borrowing 101 · 3 min readStudent Loan Types
There are three federal loan programs and multiple private options. Here is a cheat sheet breakdown of subsidized, unsubsidized, PLUS, and private loans.
Read article →Refinancing · 5 min readRefinancing Student Loans, Explained
Refinancing can cut your interest rate or lower your monthly payment, but can also cost you protections you can't get back once they're gone. Here's the actual tradeoff.
Read article →Ready when you are
Once you know your numbers, applying takes most lenders under 10 minutes. We'll tell you what to have ready first.
Chart your path ↗