All guides

Private loans

How to read offers, cosigner questions, and federal vs private tradeoffs.

• Federal vs Private Student Loans

  Compare federal Direct Loans and private student loans on repayment options, forgiveness, borrowing limits after July 2026, and when each type fits your plan.

• How to Read a Private Student Loan Offer

  Learn to compare private student loan disclosures: APR, fees, fixed vs variable rates, repayment length, cosigner rules, and red flags, without relying on marketing copy.

• Private Student Loans Without a Cosigner

  When no-cosigner private student loans are realistic, what lenders evaluate, and how they compare with capped federal borrowing after the 2026 loan changes.