If you’re buying a flipped property and are planning to use a loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), you need to be aware of the FHA flip rule, also known as the 90-day FHA flip rule. It could prevent you from buying the property or cause delays.
The main thing to know is you can’t use an FHA loan for properties that have been owned for less than 90 days by the seller. This is to prevent fraud and to protect you and the lender.
We’ll explain everything you need to know about the rule, including:
• What is property flipping and what to watch out for
• The purpose of the FHA flipping rule
• How timing of the purchase contract affects FHA financing
• What exemptions there are
• How to comply with FHA guidelines on flips
First-time homebuyers can
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with as little as 3% down.
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What Is Property Flipping?
Property flipping is where an investor acquires a property with the intent of quickly selling it for a profit. The investor can renovate, landscape, develop raw land, or complete other projects to improve the property and then put it right back onto the market. It’s also common to generate profit through rapid property appreciation in hot real estate markets.
None of the above activities is prohibited. But when a property is sold for a large profit soon after being acquired, it could potentially signal illegal activity. Illegal property flipping is where the investor sells the property at an artificially inflated price, usually through collusion with the appraiser. Overvalued properties can be a problem for legitimate buyers as well as mortgage lenders, including with FHA loans. Hence the flip rule the FHA has created to protect borrowers.
Reasons for FHA Flipping Rules
The purpose of the FHA flip rules is to prevent the FHA from taking on loans at inflated values, and in the process, protect buyers from being taken advantage of. The FHA states that most flipping occurs within days of the original purchase with little improvement taking place. (An FHA loan buyers guide details other important rules surrounding FHA loans.)
FHA Flipping Rules Explained
The FHA flip rules are primarily concerned with the amount of time the property has been owned prior to being resold. It was implemented in 2003 by the Federal Housing Administration to try and prevent the kind of illegal flipping mentioned previously. Lenders rely on information provided by an appraiser to follow the rule. The nitty gritty:
90-Day Flipping Rule
Under the FHA 90-day flip rule, you can’t finance property with an FHA loan if it was bought by the seller less than 90 days ago. Other requirements include:
The property must be sold by the owner of record
The lender must obtain documentation verifying the seller as such
The purchase can’t involve a sale or assignment of contract
The FHA counts 90 days from the seller’s day of settlement to the day the next contract is signed. There are some additional requirements for purchasing a flipped property from 91 to 180 days after the seller’s day of settlement.
How the FHA Flip Rules Work from 91 to 180 Days
If the property is sold between 91 and 180 days from the settlement date, a second, independent appraisal may be required to verify the value. The second appraisal is required if the value is more than 100% above the price the seller paid. The seller cannot require the buyer to pay for the second appraisal. For example, if the home was purchased by the current owner for $100,000 and the new value is $200,000 or more, a second appraisal would be required.
Exceptions to the 90-Day Rule
There are a few exceptions to the 90-day rule. A property may be eligible for an exemption from the FHA flip rule if it was acquired for its owner by an employer or a relocation agency or if it is:
• HUD Real Estate Owned
• Sold by local, state, or federal government agencies
There are no property requirements with the FHA flip rule — the rule applies equally to all properties with the exception of those noted above. The only factor the FHA is concerned with when it comes to this rule is the amount of time the seller has owned the property. If it’s less than 90 days, you can’t finance it with an FHA loan. And if you’re between 91 and 180 days and the amount is 100% more than what the property previously sold for, two appraisals may be required.
It’s easy to comply with FHA flipping guidelines. That’s because your lender can’t give you an FHA loan if the property has been owned less than 90 days.
The onus falls to the FHA appraiser to properly document the date and amount of prior transactions in the appraisal report. The lender submits this information to the FHA when making your application.
Documenting Property Acquisition
The appraiser is tasked with documenting the date of acquisition for the seller and will also verify that the seller is the owner of record. Verification may include documents such as the property sales history, a copy of the recorded deed, a copy of the property tax bill, and a title search.
Appraisal Requirements
Appraisers must include all transactions in the previous three years on their Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) to submit to the lender. They must also consider and analyze the comparables used to determine the value of the property being sold.
Consequences of Not Following the FHA Flip Rules
The main consequence for not following the FHA flip rules is that your mortgage application may be denied.
Alternatives to FHA Loans
If you have your eye on a flipped property that has miraculously been significantly improved in less than 90 days, there are other roads you can take to acquire it. These include:
• Waiting to write the contract until the seller has owned it 91 days (and getting that second appraisal if necessary)
• Financing with a conventional loan, or applying for a VA loan if you are eligible
• Arranging seller financing
No other loan type has a flip rule like the FHA, so if you’re really intent on buying that flip, you can also explore another loan type. Read up on FHA loans vs. a conventional mortgage, then talk to a lender, ideally one that offers both FHA and conventional loans.
The Takeaway
For the most part, the FHA flip rules are simple to understand and follow. Basically, you won’t be able to get an FHA loan on a property that the seller purchased less than 90 days ago. The lender is the one who is required to follow the rule.
Documentation requirements fall on the appraiser and the lender, so it’s important to start with a lender you trust. There’s nothing more steadying than a lender that can be there for you every step of the way.
SoFi offers a wide range of FHA loan options that are easier to qualify for and may have a lower interest rate than a conventional mortgage. You can down as little as 3.5%. Plus, the Biden-Harris Administration has reduced monthly mortgage insurance premiums for new homebuyers to help offset higher interest rates.
Another perk: FHA loans are assumable mortgages!
FAQ
What qualifies as a property flip under FHA rules?
It’s not the property that has requirements, it’s the timeline. Any property can be considered a flip if it’s owned for fewer than 90 days.
Can FHA borrowers purchase a recently flipped property?
FHA borrowers are allowed to purchase a recently flipped property as long as the owner of record has owned the property for at least 90 days. The amount they’re purchasing it for has a limit of 100% of the original value if purchased between 91 and 180 days after the original owner’s purchase, or else they’ll need an additional appraisal. After 180 days, the extra appraisal is asked for at the FHA’s discretion.
How is the 90-day flipping period calculated?
The FHA counts 90 days from the settlement date of the current owner to the day the new purchase contract is executed.
Photo credit: iStock/warrengoldswain
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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Streaming services deliver addictive TV (or movies, articles, or audio) that we all can’t stop talking about. If the content is good, we’ll willingly pay a fee every month to consume it. Who wants to be bored, or left out of the cultural conversations?
But now that the average viewer has four to five streaming services, the monthly price tag is on the rise. In 2024, Americans spent $61 a month on streaming services, which is up from $48 in 2023, according to Deloitte’s Digital Media Trends report.
Wondering how to save money on streaming video services, short of just canceling them all? We’ve got 12 tips for cutting costs without cutting (all) the content. Read on to learn about the different techniques, and see which are right for you.
13 Ways to Cut the Costs of Streaming
Monthly subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max — not to mention music subscriptions like Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora — expose us to more content and more choice in terms of entertainment and education.
But the cost of streaming services is on the rise. In an age of higher prices, many of us want to protect our money from inflation. Cutting costs and sticking to a budget can be especially important.
Those are good reasons to examine how to save money on subscriptions. Here are 13 ways you might be able to save some cash on your streaming habits:
1. Paying Annually Over Monthly
Some streaming services allow you to pay a lump sum once a year instead of monthly payments. This can make it more challenging to build streaming services into a line item budget, but the reward could be worth it. Usually when you pay for a year in advance, streaming services offer you a discounted rate.
If you don’t plan to keep the service for a year — say, you only want Netflix the month that your favorite show releases a new season — paying the annual fee might not make sense. Instead, it could be more cost-effective to pay the monthly fee for one or two months a year when you want to use the service.This could be one way to be better with money.
2. Setting Renewal Reminders
Whether you pay once a year or month to month, it’s a good idea to know when your card will be charged again. If you set a reminder in your phone or on your digital calendar, you can receive an alert before paying for another month.
When you get the alert and think about how much you and your family used the streaming service over the last pay period, you might realize that it’s not worth it to keep paying. If that’s the case, consider canceling to add money back into your monthly budget.
3. Finding Streaming Bundle Deals
Many streaming services offer bundle deals that allow you to save. If you already plan on subscribing to two separate services, it is a good idea to explore discounts for bundles. For example, if your family wants Hulu and Disney+, you might be able to save money by bundling the two together.
However, if you don’t want one of the services in the bundle, calculating the cost of individual services vs. the bundle could also be helpful. If you are motivated to save money, opting out of a bundle that includes services you don’t really need could be a way to free up funds.
You could then use the money you save to open a savings account and start an emergency fund, or you might choose to put your freed-up funds into retirement savings. Every bit helps.
4. Utilizing Free Trials Before Paying for a Plan
Several major streaming platforms, including Hulu, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime, allow you to try out their content before committing. Some people who only want to watch a specific movie or TV series that is released in a certain month might take advantage of free trials — signing up to watch their desired content and then canceling the service before it renews and charges their card.
Even if you aren’t utilizing free trials to game the system, they do get you a month of content without having to worry about fees. It’s a good idea to set a reminder at the end of the free trial to cancel the service if you don’t want to keep it; otherwise, your account may be charged.
5. Determining If You Really Need the Services — And Canceling What You Don’t Need
Regularly analyzing your budget is a good idea, especially as the cost of living increases. While reviewing your average monthly expenses, you might want to consider if you really need each of the streaming services to which you are subscribed.
If your family has any services that they rarely use, you can consider canceling those subscriptions to save money each month.
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6. Seeing if a Phone Plan Comes With a Subscription Deal
When’s the last time you changed your phone plan? If you are thinking about upgrading to a new phone or a new plan, you might want to shop around to see what streaming deals phone carriers are offering.
Promotions are subject to change, but often, carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T offer free subscriptions to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Paramount+. These are often for a year but sometimes for as long as you keep your phone contract.
Today, Streaming services typically offer viewers ad-free experiences that allow them to consume content unhindered. But increasingly, that comes at a cost. To save money on monthly subscription services, many families opt in for the lower-tier, less expensive “with ads” plans.
Streaming services like Hulu and Netflix offer their content at discounted rates if you opt into the “with ads” plan, and even streaming giant Netflix has announced its intentions to roll out a cheaper, ad-supported plan.
If you don’t mind watching ads in between your favorite shows and movies, downgrading to a cheaper, ad-supported subscription could save you money.
Ad-supported plans aren’t the only downgrade you can consider to save money on streaming services. Some services, like Hulu, have top-tier plans with live TV options. Others, like Netflix, allow you to pay more so that you can utilize additional screens at the same time.
Here’s another way to save money on streaming services: Consider whether you are fully utilizing every aspect of a service. (This is a good moment to tap your financial discipline.) If you aren’t truly using a service or realize you can pare down, it’s wise to explore what alternatives the platforms offer that could save you money.
Downgrading your plan could free up cash that you could funnel towards growing your emergency fund or saving for a vacation, or into your checking and savings account.
9. Sharing the Account With Your Household
Some streaming services allow you to share your account with friends and family, typically within the same household. Rather than maintaining separate accounts, you might be able to save money by sharing services with roommates.
If you opt to save money this way, you may find that streaming services even allow you to create separate, personalized profiles within your account as long as you are in the same residence.
10. Using Free Alternative Streaming Services
Not all content requires a subscription. If you have a smart TV or other internet-connected device, you can connect to free services like the Roku Channel and Pluto TV. While this may not give you access to the hot new shows everyone is talking about, it can definitely give you plenty of options for viewing.
11. Rotating Streaming Services Instead of Having Them All at Once
Most consumers have four to five streaming services in a given month, according to the Deloitte Digital Trends report. Depending on how much TV and music you consume, it’s possible to utilize that many services fully. But for many families, that might be too many. Just watching a few episodes of a show every month may not justify the expense.
If you find that you don’t regularly watch all your services, it could be a good idea to rotate them. For example, you could pay for two in the spring because they’ve got new shows you like, then switch to another two during summer vacation because they’ve got great content for kids, and then switch again in the fall and winter because you enjoy their holiday programming.
12. Using a Cash Back Credit Card
Earning money by spending money can make monthly expenses a little more manageable. For example, say you have a cash-back card that allows you to earn up to 3% back on qualifying purchases. While it might not sound like much, that’s 30 cents cash back for every $10 streaming service each month. It can add up.
Some cash back credit cards are actually designed for people who like streaming services; they might offer special cash back rates specifically for subscription services like Prime Video and Spotify.
13. Swapping Down on Resolution
Some people are obsessed with having the latest, most crystal-clear image as they view their shows; others, not so much. If you fall into the latter category, you might be able to score a cheaper subscription for lesser resolution. For instance, Netflix currently charges $15.49 for a monthly subscription without HD; a standard plan with HD is $15.49 (with perhaps other perks as well); and $22.99 for a premium one with Ultra HD available.
Banking With SoFi
Looking for more ways to lighten your monthly budget? Choosing the right bank account could help save you money. For instance, you might want to consider a high-yield bank account or one with low or no fees. Explore the options to see what makes the most sense for you.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
FAQ
Are streaming services continuing to increase in price?
Many streaming services have increased their prices in recent years. How their pricing will evolve depends on many factors, but we are at a moment of high inflation with price hikes likely. To save money on monthly subscriptions, consumers might want to cut back on the number of streaming services, look for ad-supported plans, and consider streaming bundles.
Is cable cheaper than streaming?
The Deloitte Digital Media Trends report found that the average American uses between four and five streaming services, with an average monthly bill of $61. While higher than it was pre-pandemic, Monthly spending on streaming services is still lower than the average cable bill, which is $113, according to a 2023 J.D.Powers study. Of course, you can find much cheaper basic cable packages, but you can also have a single streaming service to cut costs.
What streaming services have bundle deals?
You can find bundles with multiple streaming services, such as Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+. Amazon Prime members get access to video content plus Prime shipping deals on Amazon.com; they can also take advantage of bundles with platforms like AMC+ and Paramount+. Bundle deals might not always be available, so it’s a good idea to research before signing up.
4.00% APY
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
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SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Loud budgeting is a money-saving trend that is encouraging people to be honest with others about their finances and feel okay about saying “No” to expensive invitations.
The concept was first introduced by TikTok content creator and comedian Lukas Battle in late 2023 as an alternative to “quiet luxury” and involves talking openly — or loudly — about your financial goals and spending limits to those around you. Since Battle first coined the term, TikTok has been deluged with videos extolling the benefits of loud budgeting and how to do it.
Is it time to get on the loud budgeting bandwagon? Maybe. While you can’t trust all the financial advice you get on social media, many finance experts say that loud budgeting is rooted in a time-honored financial principle — that people should make spending decisions based on their budgets and savings goals, rather than peer pressure or FOMO.
Here’s a closer look at what loud budgeting is and how to incorporate this approach into your own life.
Key Points
• Loud budgeting, a concept introduced by TikTok creator and comedian Lukas Battle in late 2023, encourages transparency about financial goals and spending limits.
• Benefits of loud budgeting may include: reduced financial stress, avoiding overspending due to peer pressure, building an enhanced support system, and reaching financial goals.
• It can be implemented by determining priorities, building a basic budget, and being honest with those around you about your budget.
• Budgeting tools, such as those provided by your bank or apps that track or permit you to share your spending and savings goals, can assist with loud budgeting.
• Loud budgeting doesn’t have to entail disclosing financial or personal details — it can be as simple as sharing your financial goal and/or limits.
The Psychology of Loud Budgeting
When it comes to maintaining close ties to friends and family, it can be hard to decline an invitation to a catch-up dinner, reunion weekend, or destination wedding — even if you’re not comfortable with the cost. So, you might grudgingly say “Yes,” and figure you’ll deal with the financial fallout later. Or, you might say “No,” but make up a fake reason why you can’t be there. Neither option is ideal.
Loud budgeting offers an alternative solution — bowing out while being honest about your money concerns. It’s based on the premise that staying close and connected with people you care about doesn’t have to cost a lot. Often, it just takes one member of the group to say “No,” and suggest a way to bring down the cost of a social outing or gathering.
While loud budgeting isn’t for everyone, it has a number of benefits. Here are some to consider.
Reduced Financial Stress
Money worries can be a significant source of stress. Loud budgeting can immediately take some of the pressure off by making it acceptable to opt out of social plans that will cause you to spend more than you can afford. Over time, loud budgeting can help you grow the balance in your bank account, pay down debt, and achieve your goals — all of which can improve your financial well-being.
Improved Financial Transparency
While talking about money has long been considered taboo and can even trigger shame, loud budgeting aims to reduce the stigma around having financial limitations. Instead, it advocates being transparent about your budget and why you’re choosing not to spend your hard-earned cash on something. By starting the conversation, loud budgeters may also encourage others in their circle to be more authentic and honest about their finances.
Enhanced Support System
Not everyone will necessarily be receptive and understanding when you get loud with your budget. But there is also a good chance that you will get support from others who (unbeknownst to you) are in the same financial boat. This can help you build a community of people working towards similar financial goals. Your community can help hold you accountable to your plan. You can also share tips and experiences and cheer each other on when you achieve success, such as reaching a savings goal.
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How To Implement Loud Budgeting in Your Life
If you’re interested in trying out this Gen Z budgeting trend, here are some tips for how to incorporate loud budgeting into your life.
Determine Your Priorities
Budgeting (loudly or quietly) is about making sure your spending aligns with your priorities. So a great first step is to sit down and lay out some specific and achievable financial goals, along with a timeframe for when you want to reach them. For example, maybe you want to pay off your credit cards in the next six months or put a down payment on a home in one year. Knowing what you want to accomplish gives you the “why” behind your loud budget and helps you stick to your plan.
Build a Basic Budget
Before you can get loud about your budget, you actually need to make a budget. To do so, you might start by looking at what’s coming in each month (on average) and what’s going out each month (on average). If your total monthly spending is higher than your total monthly income — or it’s about the same (meaning you’re not saving anything) — you’ll need to adjust accordingly.
There are all kinds of budgets, but one simple framework to consider is the 50/30/20 rule. This entails allocating 50% of your monthly take-home income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to saving and paying more than the minimum on your debts.
Once you come up with a basic budget, it’s a good idea to track your spending (there are budgeting apps that make this easy) to see how well you’re sticking with the plan and, if necessary, make some tweaks to your budget.
Be Honest With Others
Once you have a clear sense of your budget, priorities, and savings goals, don’t be afraid to share this information with friends and family. While you don’t have to delve into the intricate details of your finances every time you decline a social invitation, you can say that you’re trying to spend less and be better about managing your money. You might also talk about some specific goals you’re trying to achieve. Being honest in this way can help make it easier to decline costly invites and keep you accountable to your plans.
Suggest Alternatives
When someone in your circle suggests an outing that doesn’t work with your budget, consider suggesting alternative options. For example, if you can’t swing an expensive brunch, you might suggest a picnic in the park. Or if your friend group wants to spend the afternoon shopping, see if you can entice them to go hiking instead. The idea is to find some simple, wallet-friendly ways to have fun and stay connected without sacrificing your financial health.
Find Allies
Sticking to a budget can be a lot easier when you have a supportive community — or even just one or two allies — who are on the same financial page. If you can’t find any good budgeting buddies in your circle, you might search the #loudbudgeting hashtag on your social media channels to find others who are blazing the same path. This can help you build a community of people who can hold you accountable and cheer you on as you hit your goals.
Loud budgeting promotes being more honest about your financial circumstances and goals, rather than accepting expensive invites out of fear of being a wet blanket and then dealing with the aftermath. While it can be challenging to speak your truth, being vocal about your budget can strengthen your connections and help you stay committed to your financial health — not just while it’s the latest trend on social media, but throughout your adult life.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
FAQ
How can I start loud budgeting without oversharing?
While loud budgeting involves being open about your financial situation, you don’t have to share sensitive details about your finances with everyone you know. Rather than lay out the specifics of your income and monthly bills, you can simply say that you are working toward a particular goal (like paying off your student loans or saving for a home) and trying to be more responsible about spending, saving, and managing your money. That can help explain why you are declining invitations to, say, pricey meals out or weekends away.
Does loud budgeting work for all income levels?
Yes, loud budgeting can be effective for all income levels, as it primarily involves being open about your financial goals and priorities with those close to you. While higher earners may be focused on wealth building and investment strategies, lower-income loud budgeters might share how they are working towards being free of credit card debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a down payment on a home.
What apps or tools can help with loud budgeting?
Any budgeting app that helps you make better spending decisions can assist you with loud budgeting. Even better if the app allows you to track and share your progress with others. You might consider the tools your bank offers for budgeting. Other options include YNAB (You Need a Budget), which can help you create a plan for every dollar you earn; Goodbudget, which digitizes the “envelope system” of budgeting and allows you to share your budget categories with family or friends, or Honeydue,which helps couples sync bank accounts, credit cards, and more for easier viewing of your financial picture.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.
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There are so many upsides to investing in your education — the personal enrichment and possibility of a bright and fruitful future being the most obvious. But, there are also some potential downsides that are hard to ignore, one of the main ones being the debt you may accrue.
If you’re a student loan borrower, you’ve probably noticed that your loans have a language all their own. Getting a grasp on terms like interest rate vs. APR, subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans, and fixed vs. variable interest rates can help you make more informed, confident decisions.
Instead of enrolling in Student Loan Language 101, you can use our quick reference guide to find some answers without information overload. Borrowing money can have long-term financial consequences, so it’s important to fully understand the fees and interest rates that will affect the amount of money you owe.
Here are a few of the most important terms to understand before you take out a student loan:
Common Student Loan Terminology
Academic Year
An academic year is one complete school year at the same school. If you transfer, it is considered two half-years at different schools.
Accrued Interest
Accrued interest is the amount of interest that has accumulated on a loan since your last payment. You can keep student loan accrued interest in check by making your payments on time each month. However, after a period of missed or reduced payments, accrued interest may be “capitalized,” which essentially means you have to pay interest on the interest!
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
AGI is an individual’s gross income, less any payroll deductions or adjustments. Income includes things like wages, salary, any interest or dividends you may earn, and any other sources of income. You can find your AGI on your federal income tax returns.
Aggregate Loan Limit
The aggregate loan limit is the maximum amount of federal student loan debt a borrower can have when graduating from school. The aggregate loan limits vary depending on whether you are a dependent or independent student.
Amortization refers to the amount of loan principal and interest you pay off incrementally over your loan term. Each student loan payment is a fixed amount that contributes to both interest and principal. Early in the life of the loan, the majority of each payment goes toward interest. But over time as you pay down your loan balance, the ratio shifts and most of the payment goes toward the principal.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
APR is the annual rate that is charged for borrowing, expressed as an annual a percentage. APR is a standardized calculation that allows you to make a more fair comparison of different loans. Consider the difference between interest vs. APR — APR reflects the cost of any fees charged on the loan, in addition to the basic interest rate. Generally speaking, the lower your APR, the less you’ll spend on interest over the life of the loan.
Annual Loan Limit
The yearly borrowing limit set for federal student loans.
Automated Clearing House (ACH)
An electronic funds transfer is sent through the Automated Clearing House system. The ACH is an electronic funds transfer system that helps your loan payment transfer directly from your bank account to your lender or loan servicer each month.
The benefits of ACH are two-fold — not only can automatic payments keep you from forgetting to pay your bill, but many lenders also offer interest rate discounts for enrolling in an ACH program.
Award Letter
An award letter is sent from your school and details the types and amounts of financial aid you are eligible to receive. This will include information on grants, scholarships, federal student loans, and work-study. You will receive an award letter for each year you are in school and apply for financial aid.
Award Year
The academic year that financial aid is applied to.
Borrower
The borrower is the person who took out a loan. In doing so, they agreed to repay the loan.
Campus-Based Aid
Some financial aid programs are administered by specific financial institutions, such as the federal work-study program. Generally, schools receive a certain amount of campus-based aid annually from the federal government. The schools are then able to award these funds to students who demonstrate financial need.
This refers to the cancellation of a borrower’s requirement to repay all or a portion of their student loans. Loan forgiveness and discharge are two other types of loan cancellation.
Capitalization
Capitalization is when unpaid interest is added to the principal value of the student loan. This generally occurs after a period of non-payment such as forbearance. Moving forward, the interest will be calculated based on this new amount.
Capitalized Interest
Accrued interest is added to your loan’s principal balance, typically after a period of non-payment such as forbearance. When the interest is tacked onto your principal balance, your interest is now calculated on that new amount.
Most student loans begin accruing interest as soon as you borrow them. While you are often not responsible for repaying your student loans while you are in school or during a grace period or forbearance, interest will still accrue during these periods. At the end of said period, the interest is then capitalized, or added to the principal of the loan.
When interest is capitalized, it increases your loan’s principal. Since interest is charged as a percent of principal, the more often interest is capitalized, the more total interest you’ll pay. This is a good reason to use forbearance only in emergency situations, and end the forbearance period as quickly as possible.
Cosigner
A cosigner is a third party, such as a parent, who contractually agrees to accept equal responsibility in repaying your loan(s). A student loan cosigner, also known as an endorser, can be valuable if your credit score or financial history are not sufficient enough to allow you to borrow on your own.
With a cosigner, you are still responsible for paying back the loan, but the cosigner must step in if you are unable to make payments. A co-borrower applies for the loan with you and is equally responsible for paying back the loan according to the loan terms on a month-to-month basis
Consolidation (through the Direct Loan Consolidation Program)
Student loan consolidation is the act of combining two or more loans into one loan with a single interest rate and term. The resulting interest rate is a weighted average of the original loan rates — rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of a percentage point.
Only certain federal loans are eligible for the Direct Consolidation Program. Consolidating can make your life simpler with one monthly bill, but it may not actually save you any money. You may be able to reduce your monthly payments by increasing the loan term, but this means you’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan.
Consolidation (through a Private Lender)
Consolidation is the act of combining two or more loans into one single loan with a single interest rate and term. When you consolidate loans with a private lender, you do so through the act of refinancing, so you’re given a new (hopefully lower) interest rate or lower payments with a longer term.
By refinancing, you may be able to lower your monthly payments or shorten your payment term. (Note: You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.)
Cost of attendance is the estimated total cost for attending a college based on the cost of tuition, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and miscellaneous expenses. Schools are required to publish the cost of attendance.
Credit Report
Credit reports detail an individual’s bill payment history, loans, and other financial information. These reports are used by lenders to evaluate your creditworthiness.
Default
Default is failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed to in the promissory note. Defaulting on your student loans can have serious consequences, such as additional fees, wage garnishment, and a significant negative impact on your credit. It’s always better to talk to your lender about potential hardship repayment options, such as deferment or forbearance, before defaulting on a loan.
Deferment
Deferment is the temporary postponement of loan repayment, during which time you may not be responsible for paying interest that accrues (on certain types of loans). Student loan deferment can be useful if you think you’ll be in a better place to pay your loans at a later date. However, deferment is usually only available for certain federal loans. To potentially cut down on interest, it may be wise to weigh your deferment options.
Delinquency
When you miss a student loan payment, the loan becomes delinquent. The loan will be considered delinquent until a payment is made on the loan. If the loan remains in delinquency for a specified period of time (which varies for federal vs. private student loans), it may enter default.
Direct Loan
The Direct Loan program is administered via the U.S. Department of Education. There are four main types of direct loans including Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans.
Direct PLUS Loan
Direct PLUS Loans are types of federal loans that are made to graduate or professional student borrowers or to the parents of undergraduate students. Direct PLUS Loans made to parents may be referred to as Parent PLUS Loans.
Disbursement
When funds for a loan are paid out by the lender.
Discharge
Student loan discharge occurs when you are no longer required to make payments on your loans. Typically, student loan discharge occurs when there are extenuating circumstances, such as the borrower has experienced a total and permanent disability or the school at which you received your loans has closed.
Discretionary Income
Discretionary income is the money remaining after you pay for necessary expenses. An individual’s discretionary income is used to help determine their loan payments on an income-driven repayment plan.
Enrollment Status
Determined by the school you attend, your enrollment status is a reflection of where you stand with the school. It includes full-time, half-time, withdrawn, and graduated.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Now known as the Student Aid Index (SAI), it’s an estimation of the amount of money a student and their family is expected to pay out of pocket toward tuition and other college expenses.
Federal Work-Study
A type of financial aid, students who demonstrate financial aid may qualify for the federal work-study program, where they work part-time to earn funds to help pay for college expenses.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is funds to help pay for college. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans.
Financial Aid Package
An overview of the types of financial aid you are eligible to receive for college, financial aid packages provide information on all types of federal financial aid and college-specific aid such as scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans.
Fixed interest rates remain the same for the life of the loan. The interest rate does not fluctuate.
Forbearance
Forbearance is the temporary postponement of loan repayment, during which time interest typically continues to accrue on all types of federal student loans. If your student loan is in forbearance, you can either pay off the interest as it accrues or you can allow the interest to accrue and it will be capitalized at the end of your forbearance.
Use forbearance wisely, because interest that accrues during the forbearance period is typically capitalized, making your loan more expensive. If you can afford to make even small payments during forbearance, it can help keep interest costs down.
You will usually have to apply for student loan forbearance with your loan holder and will sometimes be required to provide documentation proving you meet the criteria for forbearance. For a loan to be eligible for forbearance, there must be some unexpected temporary financial difficulty.
Forgiveness
Loan forgiveness is another situation in which you are no longer responsible for repaying all or a portion of your student loans. Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness are two types of loan forgiveness programs in which your loans are forgiven after meeting specific requirements, such as working in a qualifying job and making qualifying loan payments.
In August 2022, President Biden announced a loan forgiveness plan for borrowers with student loan debt. Under this plan, borrowers earning up to $125,000 (when filing taxes as single) may qualify for up to $10,000 in student loan forgiveness. He also announced that Pell Grant recipients may qualify to have up to $20,000 of their loans forgiven.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is the application students use to apply for all types of federal student aid, including federal loans, work-study, grants, and scholarships. The FAFSA must be completed for each year a student wishes to apply for financial aid.
The grace period is a period of time after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time during which you’re not required to make payments on certain loans. Some loans continue to accumulate interest during the grace period, and that interest is typically capitalized, making your loan more expensive.
Grad PLUS Loans
Another term to refer to a Direct PLUS loan, specifically one borrowed by a graduate or professional student.
Graduate or Professional Student
A student who is pursuing educational opportunities beyond a bachelor’s degree. Graduate and professional programs include master’s and doctoral programs.
Graduated Repayment Plan
A type of repayment plan available for federal student loan borrowers. On this repayment plan, loan payments begin low and increase every two years. This plan may make sense for borrowers who expect their income to increase over time.
Grant
Grants are a type of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Grants are often awarded based on financial need or merit-based.
Students who are enrolled at least half-time in school are eligible to defer their federal student loans. This type of deferment is generally automatic for federal student loans. Note that unless you have a subsidized student loan, interest will continue to accrue during in-school deferment.
Interest
Interest is the cost of borrowing money. It is money paid to the lender and is calculated as a percentage of the unpaid principal.
Interest Deduction
A tax deduction that allows you to deduct the student loan interest you paid on a qualified student loan for the tax year. Interest paid on both private and federal student loans qualifies for the student loan interest deduction.
Lender
The financial institution that lends funds to an individual borrower.
Loan Period
A loan period is the academic year for which a student loan is requested.
Loan Servicer
A loan servicer is a company your lender may partner with to administer your loan and collect payments. For questions about your student loan payments or administrative details such as account information, you should contact your student loan servicer.
Origination Fee
Some lenders charge an origination fee for processing a loan application, or in lieu of upfront interest. To minimize incremental costs on your loan, look for lenders that offer no or low fees.
Part-Time Enrollment
Students who are enrolled in school less than full-time are generally considered part-time students. The number of credit hours required for part-time enrollment are determined by your school.
Pell Grant
Pell Grant is awarded by the federal government to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
Perkins Loan
Perkins Loans were a type of federal loan available to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrated exceptional financial need. The Perkins Loan program ended in 2017.
PLUS Loans
Another way to describe Direct PLUS Loans, PLUS Loans are federal loans available for graduate and professional students or the parents of undergraduate students.
Prepayment
Prepayment is paying off the loan early or making more than the minimum payment. All education loans, including private and federal loans, allow for penalty-free prepayment, which means you can pay more than the monthly minimum or make extra payments without incurring a fee. The faster you pay off your loan, the less you’ll spend on interest.
Prime Rate
Prime rate is the interest rate that commercial banks charge their most creditworthy customers. The basis of the prime rate is the federal funds overnight rate. The federal funds overnight rate is the interest rate that banks use when lending to each other. The prime rate can be used as a benchmark for interest rates on other types of lending.
Principal
Principal is the original loan amount you borrowed. For example, if you take out one $100,000 loan for grad school, that loan’s principal is $100,000.
Private Student Loan
A private student loan is lent by a private financial institution such as a bank, credit union, or online lender. These loans can be used to pay for college and educational expenses, but are not a part of the Federal Direct Loan Program. These loans don’t offer the same borrower protections available to federal student loans — like income-driven repayment plans or deferment options.
Promissory Note
A promissory note is a contract that says you’ll repay a loan under certain agreed-upon terms. This document legally controls your borrowing arrangement, so read it carefully. If you don’t fully understand the agreement, contact your lender before you sign.
Repayment
Repayment is repaying a loan plus interest.
Repayment Period
The agreed upon term in which loan repayment will take place.
Scholarship
A scholarship is a type of financial aid which typically doesn’t need to be repaid. Scholarships can be awarded based on merit.
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)
The Secured Overnight Financing Rate is an interest rate benchmark that is commonly used by banks and other lenders to set interest rates for loans. The SOFR is the cost of borrowing money overnight collateralized by Treasury securities. Starting in June 2023, the SOFR will begin replacing the LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
Stafford Loans
Stafford loans were a type of federal student loan made under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Beginning in 2010, all federal student loans were loaned directly through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Standard Repayment Plan
The Standard Repayment Plan is one of the repayment plans available for federal student loan borrowers. This repayment plan consists of fixed payments made over a 10 year period.
Student Aid Report
After submitting the FAFSA, you will receive a student aid report (SAR). The SAR is a summary of the information you provided when filling out the FAFSA.
Student Loan Refinancing
Student loan refinancing is using a new loan from a private lender to pay off existing student loans. This allows you to secure a new (ideally lower) interest rate or adjust your loan terms.
Subsidized Loan
A Direct Subsidized Loan is a type of federal loan available to undergraduate students where the government covers the interest that accrues while the student is enrolled at least half-time, during the grace period, and other qualifying periods of deferment.
Term
Term is the expected amount of time the loan will be in repayment. Generally speaking, a longer term will mean lower monthly payments but higher interest over the life of the loan, while a shorter term will mean the opposite. Loan terms vary by lender, and if you have a federal loan, you are usually able to select your student loan repayment plan.
Tuition
The cost of classes and instruction.
Undergraduate Student
A college student who is enrolled in a course of study, typically lasting four years, with the goal of receiving a bachelor’s degree.
Unsubsidized Loan
A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a type of federal loan available to undergraduate or graduate students. The major difference between subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans is that the interest on unsubsidized loans is not paid for by the federal government.
Variable Interest Rate
Unlike a fixed interest rate, a variable interest rate fluctuates over the life of a loan. Changes in interest rates are tied to a prevailing interest rate.
The Takeaway
Understanding key terms is essential for navigating student borrowing. Prioritizing sources of financial aid that don’t need to be repaid like scholarships and grants can be helpful. But these don’t always meet a student’s financial needs.
Federal student loans have low-interest rates and, for the most part, don’t require a credit check. Plus they have borrower protections in place, like income-driven repayment plans and deferment options, that make them the first choice for most students looking to borrow money to pay for college.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.
FAQ
What are common student loan terms?
Common student loan terms include the principal (the original borrowed amount), interest rate (the cost of borrowing), and repayment term (the length of time to repay the loan). Other terms involve grace periods (time before payments start after graduation), deferment, forbearance (temporary relief from payments), and fixed or variable interest rates.
What are the most important loan terms to understand?
It’s important to understand terms associated with borrowing because you’ll be required to repay the loan. Understand the interest rate and any fees associated with the loan.
What does APR mean in relation to student loans?
APR stands for annual percentage rate. It’s a reflection of the interest rate on the loan in addition to any other fees associated with borrowing. APR helps make it easier to compare loans from different lenders.
SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
Impact investing is a broad category that includes a wide range of strategies; among them are two that are focused on the environment as well as social and governance issues: ESG (for environmental, social, and governance issues) and SRI (for socially responsible investing).
Investors who are interested in making an impact with their investing dollars may want to consider funds that embrace ESG or SRI strategies, but impact investing can include other goals as well (e.g., investing in or avoiding certain industries or sectors, or goals).
While there are ways in which these three strategies overlap, it’s important to understand the distinctions as they pertain to your own investing goals.
Key Points
• Impact investing refers to strategies that focus on having a measurable impact on certain companies, industries, or sectors.
• Impact investing is a broad category that can include a range of strategies, including ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and SRI (socially responsible investing), as well as others.
• As investor interest in ESG and SRI strategies has grown, so have inflows to funds that adhere to certain standards.
• Despite investor interest, standards and metrics vary widely when it comes to ESG, SRI, or any other type of impact investing.
Understanding ESG, SRI, and Impact Investing
These days, numerous companies seek to meet certain ethical, social, environmental, or other standards. While some criteria have been inspired by the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment, or the U.N.’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, investors need to bear in mind that the definition of ESG, SRI, and impact investing can vary from company to company, from country to country.
Nonetheless, investor interest in these strategies continues to grow. In fact, 67% of asset owners (e.g. institutional investors) say that over the last five years ESG standards have become even more critical to the investment process, according to a 2023 survey by Morningstar, the fund research and rating company.
As a result a number of companies have developed proprietary screening tools and scoring methods to help investors assess different investments, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, and more.
Defining ESG, SRI, and Impact Investing
That being said, the lack of clearcut ESG and SRI standards dates back to the very beginnings of these strategies.
As early as the 18th century, religious groups like the Methodists would take a financial stand against certain societal problems (e.g., the slave trade or alcohol and tobacco manufacturing) by not investing in related organizations. This values-based approach became known over time as impact investing.
Today, ESG and SRI investing can be considered modern offshoots of that philosophy — but typically with a focus on investing proactively in certain companies or sectors with the goal of supporting specific changes or outcomes.
It’s still possible to invest in ESG and SRI strategies that explicitly avoid certain industries, companies, or types of products (e.g., avoiding companies known to use child labor).
Impact investing tends to be used interchangeably with the term values investing, as well as ESG and SRI investing, but again these strategies have different aims and standards.
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Impact Investing
The goal of impact investing is for investments to have a positive, measurable impact in a given area. That might mean avoiding industries (e.g. alcohol or weapons), or investing directly in social, environmental, political, or other concerns.
Some mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may utilize impact investing strategies, but impact investing may also involve private funds, such as closed-end private equity and venture capital funds. This is partly because some public companies have to prioritize financial goals to meet shareholder expectations or earnings forecasts, and impact goals alone may not suffice (more on profitability below).
Following are some examples of impact investing categories:
Impact Category
Metrics
Environmental
• Trees planted
• Solar panels installed
• Greenhouse gas emissions limited or reduced
Women’s Empowerment
• Female founders supported
• Number of female employees
Jobs and Education
• Jobs created
• Income creation
• Access and enrollment targets
Affordable Housing
• People housed
• Number of units built
Essential Services
• Individuals in need of bank accounts
• Patients served in medical facilities
ESG Investing
ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance factors. It’s a set of criteria that can help investors evaluate companies according to how well they uphold or meet relevant criteria, in addition to financial concerns.
ESG investing is considered a form of sustainable or impact investing, but companies that embrace this term theoretically must focus on positive results in those three areas.
When ESG strategies started gaining more attention in the 1960s, some investors assumed ESG investing was primarily about values and ethics. Over time investors come to realize that ESG strategies may also impact a company’s financials. For example, ESG reporting can help illuminate potential risks to company performance, not only progress toward sustainability goals.
Still, adoption of ESG reporting and analysis has been slow owing to a lack of consistency around standards and metrics for meeting these criteria. While the SEC adopted new rules in early 2024 to help “standardize climate-related disclosures by public companies and in public offerings,” it soon stayed those rules when a number of groups filed petitions for review in multiple courts of appeals.
Overall, there is still quite a bit of variance in these standards.
However, the table below shows some common ways to assess a company’s adherence to ESG standards:
Environmental
Social
Governance
Energy consumption
Community engagement and support
Diversity in the board of directors
Waste and pollution
Human and labor rights
Management performance
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Health and safety impacts on products, local areas, etc.
Executive compensation
Conservation and protection of biodiversity
Shareholder relations
Corruption
Resource management, such as water usage and sanitation
Employee relations
Disclosures and transparency
SRI
Socially responsible investing, or SRI, is another impact investing category that focuses on social and ethical issues. SRI mutual funds were among the first values-based investment products on the market.
While SRI is similar to ESG, it’s more broadly defined. Unlike ESG investing, which revolves around a set of standards, SRI doesn’t have clearly defined criteria, and investment strategies vary depending on the company.
SRI-focused investors might choose to avoid certain investments or industries, or choose companies that specifically work on or donate to certain causes. Investors may need to evaluate companies and funds based on their own criteria.
SRI investing strategies can include a focus on one or more of the following:
• Avoiding so-called vice industries like alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling
• Investing in female or minority-led companies, or companies with a social justice mission
• Avoiding companies relating to arms manufacturing and the military
• Investing in companies that adhere to human rights standards
• Supporting specific environmental outcomes, e.g. mitigating air and water pollution, safer agricultural practices, and so on
Is Sustainable Investing Different from ESG, SRI, and Impact Strategies?
Sustainable investing strategies can encompass SRI as well as ESG strategies. And while some investors use sustainable investing and impact investing interchangeably, it’s important to remember that not all impact investing is sustainable in nature.
Can SRI or ESG Investing Be Profitable?
The performance of SRI and ESG strategies versus their conventional peers have long been subject to debate. Nonetheless, the value of assets allocated to ETFs with an ESG focus has grown steadily in the last two decades. As of November 2023, according to data from Statista, the value of global assets in ESG funds was $480 billion — a substantial jump from $5 billion in 2006.
Investors interested in SRI and ESG strategies may want to examine the FTSE4Good Index Series: a compilation of stock indexes that track companies that seek to meet certain criteria or achieve certain environmental, social, or corporate governance goals. Morningstar has also developed a sustainability rating system, in use since 2016.
The Takeaway
Investors may want to bear in mind that, with the steady growth of ESG and SRI strategies in the last couple of decades, investment opportunities that focus on having an impact on the world are likely to expand.
In addition, the underlying goal of these strategies is to make a difference and potentially see a profit as well. That said, impact strategies overall don’t reduce investment risk factors; all types of impact investing, including ESG and SRI strategies, are subject to the same economic and market risk factors as conventional strategies.
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