Links

Looking for more information about student loans and student debt? Here are some helpful links.

Disclaimer: The Project on Student Debt does not in any way endorse, guarantee, or control the content, products, services, or sponsors of Web sites listed on this page.

Before Borrowing:

Look Before You Leap: Student Loan Shopping Tips
Ground rules for evaluating a college’s loan recommendations, recognizing different types of loans, and shopping around for a good deal.

Comparing Student Loan Discounts
A guide to help compare the relative value of common discounts offered by federal student loan providers.

Questions to Ask About Private Loans
When federal, state, and institutional aid does not cover the cost of college, private loans can be an option. Here are some questions to help prospective borrowers understand what they're getting into.

Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education
You can also call 1-800-4FED-AID

FinAid! The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
A comprehensive online resource for information about all aspects of financial aid.

Ask the Aid Advisor
This is a section of Finaid! that allows you to email questions to a volunteer financial aid counselor.

Tips from Smith College's Women & Financial Independence program
This page includes some good general tips on student loans, and a longer list of links.

In Repayment:

Student Loan Borrower Assistance
This site from the National Consumer Law Center provides valuable information about repayment options, avoiding and getting out of default, dealing with collections agencies, and much more. It also includes policy briefs, legal case studies, sample documents, and promissory notes not found elsewhere on the web.

The Top 10 Student Loan Tips for Recent Graduates
A list of the top ten things a recent graduate should know about their student loans and the repayment process.

Federal Student Aid: Repaying Your Loans
If you have federal loans, this Department of Education web page will give you a sense of your options.

Federal Student Loan Ombudsman
If you have a federal loan problem that you feel is not being handled fairly, the Student Loan Ombudsman of the U.S. Department of Education may be able to help.

 
Student Loan Advocacy:

Higher Ed Watch
This initiative from the New America Foundation provides independent news analysis and commentary on higher education issues, especially surrounding the student loan industry and higher ed finance.

Student Debt Alert
Home of student organizing efforts for college affordability and against rising student debt. Student Debt Alert is a project of the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups.