SoFi

A fundamental question people ask when it comes to life insurance is, “Why buy life insurance?” Well, here’s an interesting fact—one in three families have admitted that if something happened to their family breadwinner, they would face a financial crisis within a month.* Getting prepared can be easier than you might think.

These six pointers below can help you understand:

•  What life insurance is

•  What life insurance can provide

•  Potential benefits of term life insurance

•  How life insurance works

•  When life insurance may be necessary

•  What types of life insurance might work best.

1. Life Insurance Is Financial Support for the People You Care About

Just as car insurance pays you in the event of an accident, injury, or damage to your car, life insurance provides financial support for the people you care about in the event of your death. Partners, children, and even elderly parents who depend on you financially will likely need some kind of safety net. Life insurance can provide you with the peace of mind that they have that financial support should you pass away.

Here’s something else to consider: Debt doesn’t disappear after death. If you own any type of debt (for example, student loans or a mortgage), that debt obligation may transfer over to your estate in the event of your death, which may impact your beneficiaries financially. Life insurance can be a helpful financial safety net for them.

2. Life Insurance Can Offer Financial Security

Typically, a life insurance contract (also referred to as a “policy”) will have the people you care about designated as “beneficiaries”—those you choose will receive a payout in the event of your death. This payout is generally a lump sum of money, which is usually paid in full, and tax free .

Payouts can be used by beneficiaries in a number of ways. The money can keep family members in their communities by going towards living costs like rent or mortgage payments.

Payouts can also help cover child care or domestic help, college costs, and other major expenses. In some cases, payouts are used for estate taxes that families must pay in order to inherit assets, or to settle unpaid medical bills, taxes, or debt.

The cost of the policy to you (the “premium”) is usually a much, much smaller amount than the payout. (You can enter your basic information here to get a rough estimate of how much you would pay in premiums versus your coverage amount (the payout your beneficiaries would receive).

3. Term Life Insurance Can Be Simpler and More Affordable

There are two main categories of life insurance—term life and permanent life. Term life provides coverage for a set period of time (referred to as the “term” or “policy duration”), whereas permanent life insurance covers you for your whole life.

The most well-known types of permanent life insurance are whole life and universal life policies. These types of policies often have an investment component , are more complex, and are usually more expensive than term life policies.

Term life insurance policies only provide life insurance coverage for a set period of time that you choose when you apply for the policy (typically 10-30 years ). Since they have no investment component, they are typically much simpler to understand, and are usually far more affordable. The fixed lower monthly payments and straightforward structure make it the most affordable life insurance option.

4. The Amount of Life Insurance You Need Depends On You

You should always consider your unique financial situation when deciding on life insurance needs.

Talk to your significant other (if you have one) about it, too. Each of you should have a clear idea of who would need what. Remember, budgeting appropriately for the financial support required by a surviving spouse or partner is important.

5. Buying Life Insurance—Sooner Than Later—Can Save Money

Here’s the good news—being young and healthy generally puts you at lower risk, which usually means lower monthly payments. This is because, broadly, life insurance is priced according to your overall health and how old you are when you buy it, so, if you are in good health and the younger you are, the less it should cost, generally.

With some term life insurance, you are also “locking in” your price when it is purchased. Term life insurance from Ladder for example, guarantees that monthly payments remain constant and never increase throughout the term of your policy—which can be a smart move for the long haul.

No matter what your status in life may be, you may decide you’d like a life insurance policy that can also be flexible, if that is something that is important to you. People often ask, “Can I change my life insurance?” The answer is yes, if you have the option with your insurance provider.

At Ladder, it’s easy to change your coverage when your life circumstances change. For example, some people apply to increase their coverage after having children, while others decrease theirs when they pay off a part of their debt (like a mortgage) or have children who have become financially independent and no longer need as much coverage.

Taking control of your policy can be very valuable. That’s why Ladder lets customers easily adjust their coverage down when they need less, or apply for more, when life changes. It’s a smart, convenient feature that can work for you, too.

6. Employer-Based Life Insurance May Not Be Enough

Many people are surprised to learn that life insurance offered through employers may only provide a small fixed amount, or just one-to-two times the employee’s salary. That’s usually not enough to provide sustained financial support for loved ones.

Depending on your situation, it might be a good idea to take out a second policy to ensure full family protection. Also, be sure to check for portability of any life insurance offered through the workplace. Portability gives you the option to continue your coverage after leaving the job.

Ready to Consider Your Life Insurance Options?

Now that you’ve got the basics, let’s examine your life insurance options. In three simple steps, you can apply for the life insurance you need without a hassle.

1. Understanding How Much Coverage Is Necessary

Use this free calculator to estimate how much coverage you might need by answering a few questions. In seconds, you’ll see how cost-effective life insurance can be. (Just click “Calculate My Needs”.)

2. Getting Started

Once you’ve finished using the free calculator, you’ll be prompted to get your free, no-obligation estimate from Ladder, see if you qualify for an offer, and instantly find out how much you can expect to pay each month for life insurance coverage, if qualified. No emails or phone calls required.

3. Getting Covered

With Ladder, you can apply for coverage in less than five minutes and get an instant decision. If you accept an offer, your coverage can begin immediately. You can cancel at any time—no obligations and no questions asked.

You can also adjust your coverage at any point—apply to increase or decrease at the touch of a button. When life changes, your policy can change with it.

*“2018 Insurance Barometer Study, Life Happens and LIMRA”
https://lifehappens.org/blog/2018-barometer-study/ or
https://www.limra.com/research/abstracts_public/2018/2018_insurance_barometer.aspx
This content is brought to you by our friends at Ladder Insurance Services. That means all opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and not necessarily held by SoFi—and are for purely educational purposes only. Nothing herein is intended to provide financial or legal advice.

Coverage and pricing is subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # OK22568; AR license # 3000140372) distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers- for further details see ladderlife.com. All insurance products are governed by the terms set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Each insurer has financial responsibility for its own products.
Ladder, SoFi and SoFi Agency are separate, independent entities and are not responsible for the financial condition, business, or legal obligations of the other, SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SoFi) and SoFi Insurance Agency, LLC (SoFi Agency) do not issue, underwrite insurance or pay claims under LadderlifeTM policies. SoFi is compensated by Ladder for each issued term life policy.
Ladder offers coverage to people who are between the ages of 20 and 60 as of their nearest birthday. Your current age plus the term length cannot exceed 70 years.
All services from Ladder Insurance Services, LLC are their own. Once you reach Ladder, SoFi is not involved and has no control over the products or services involved. The Ladder service is limited to documents and does not provide legal advice. Individual circumstances are unique and using documents provided is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice.

SOLI18102

Ever have a friend complain about how the payments they’re making towards their loans aren’t actually going to pay off…well, the freakin’ loans? Your friend is onto something.

At the beginning stages of a loan, a big proportion of the loan payments that a borrower makes are applied towards the loan’s interest as opposed to the principal balance. Especially if the loan is spread out over a long time-frame such as many years, most early payments are applied almost totally to interest.

Due to a method of calculation called amortization, loan payments are split between interest and principal, heavy on the interest in the beginning stages. Towards the end, the effect usually reverses. When an amortization calculation is displayed visually, it is called an amortization schedule and graph.

We’re going to get into some of the nitty-gritty amortization info, but before we go there, we just want to be straight with you: This is an incredibly complex topic. We’re going to try to break it down the best we can, but please understand that this info is general in nature and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs; it should not be considered advice. SoFi always recommends that you speak to a professional about your unique situation. Okay, and we’re back in.

Amortization is calculated on all installment loans, which are loans that have regular, predetermined monthly payments, such as mortgages and student loans. Below, we will discuss how amortization is calculated, take a closer look at student loan amortization and a student loan amortization schedule, and explore some ideas for borrowers who want to lessen the amount they’ll pay in interest over time.

Understanding Amortization

Before we dive into a student loan amortization calculation and schedule, it is helpful to first understand the basics of calculating the cost of a loan. You’ll need to know these three variables:

1. The value of the loan, also known as the principal
2. The interest rate on the loan (and whether it is fixed or variable)
3. The duration, or length, of the loan (usually given in months or years)

With this information, it is possible to determine both the monthly payment on the loan and the total interest paid during the life of the loan, assuming all payments are made. Although the math itself is difficult, it is easy to plug the information into an online student loan interest calculator.

The next step is to determine how much of each monthly payment is going towards both interest and principal. This is where the amortization calculation and the amortization schedule come in. As mentioned, amortization happens only on “installment” loans, and all student loans are installment loans.

There are two types of loans: installment loans and revolving credit. A mortgage, student loan, or car loan are all examples of installment loans. With an installment loan, the borrower is loaned an amount of money (called the principal) to be paid back over a designated amount of time, with interest.

Revolving credit, on the other hand, is not a loan disbursed in one lump sum, but is a certain amount of credit to be used as the borrower pleases, up to a designated limit. A credit card and a line of credit are forms of revolving credit.

A borrower’s monthly payment on revolving credit is determined by how much of the available credit they are using at any given time; therefore, minimum payments change from month to month.

Student Loan Amortization Examples

Because student loans are a form of installment loan—a specific amount of money is disbursed to the borrower—student loans are amortized. Parts of each payment are spent on both the loan’s principal and its interest.

At the front-end of the loan, a much larger proportion will be allocated to interest. Due to the way compounding returns work, the effect is more dramatic the longer the length of the loan.

Take, for example, a $30,000 loan at 7% fixed interest rate amortized over a 10-year repayment period. The borrower’s monthly payment is $348.33 total (rounded down to $348 for simplicity in the grid below). Each year, the hypothetical borrower will pay $4,180 total towards their loan.

This never changes, although the proportion that is paid both towards principal and interest will. Here’s how that hypothetical borrower’s hypothetical loan amortization might look. (All examples calculated using this student loan interest calculator, by Bankrate .)

Amortization Schedule Student Loan $30,000, 7% interest over 10 years starting January 2019

So, during the first year, the example borrower’s monthly payments are made up of about half interest and half principal. At the end of that first year, the borrower has paid $4,180 total towards their student loan. $2,032 of that went to interest, while $2,148 went to paying down the principal.

At the end of the first year, the loan is not reduced by the total amount the borrower had paid, but only the amount paid towards the principal—the $2,148. The $30,000 loan is therefore valued at $27,852 at the end of the year.

That’s the whole thing with amortization—because only a small proportion of payments is applied to the loan’s principal at the early stages, the interest rate charges continue to be calculated off a relatively high loan balance figure. Eventually, this swings in the other direction as the loan’s principal is reduced.

With each passing month and year paying down debt, more of each payment is allocated towards the principal. By the ninth and final year, the borrower pays only $154 to interest and $4,026 to principal.

Let’s look at another example of a hypothetical student loan amortization schedule, but along a longer timeline, such as twenty years. It should be noted that a twenty-year payback period isn’t “standard” for federal student loans, but the important takeaway here is the impact of time on amortization calculations.

Here’s a table with the results of a hypothetical $60,000 student loan at a 7% fixed rate, paid back over 20 years.

Amortization Schedule Student Loan $60,000, 7% interest over 20 years:

In this example, each monthly payment for the 20-year duration is $465.18 (again, rounded down to $465 for simplicity’s sake above). In January 2019, the first month of the first year of the loan, $350 is paid towards interest, and just $115 is paid towards the principal. That’s less than 25% of the total payment, compared to 50% in the previous example.

By the end of the hypothetical loan, hardly any of the payment is allocated towards interest, and the majority is applied to the principal. In the very last monthly payment in the last year, only $3 goes towards interest and $462 to principal. In the last year, only $206 total goes towards interest versus $4,155 in the first year.

To calculate your student loan amortization schedule, you too can use an online calculator . It can also be really helpful to see the numbers in graph form, and to see each amortized payment listed out—so you know how much of your money is going to both interest and principal in each monthly payment.

Can You Pay Less Interest on Your Loans?

If amortized payments are frustrating to you, you’re not alone. One way to possibly alleviate the pain is to pay your loan back faster than the stated term. Especially at the beginning of the loan’s repayment term, making additional payments towards the principal might lower what you’ll owe in interest.

If you go this route, consider letting your lender know that the additional payment is to be applied to the principal of the loan, not the interest. If you are mailing a check, you could include a note. If you’re making a payment online, you may want to call your loan servicer to make sure that they apply the money correctly.

For borrowers with multiple loans that want to expedite their debt payment, it’s hard to know where to start. If your goal is really to nip loan amortization in the bud, you might want to consider the “debt avalanche” method of debt repayment.

Using this method, you would choose the source of debt with the highest interest rate and work on “attacking” it first, while making the minimum payment on all other loans. After the highest interest rate loan is paid off, you would move to the next highest interest rate loan, and so on.

Graduates can also consider refinancing their student loans. When you refinance, you’re essentially paying off your old loan or loans with a new loan from a private lender, like SoFi. Ideally, you refinance in order to get a lower rate on your loans than you currently have.

No matter your current financial standing, it’s usually worth checking to see if you qualify for a lower rate than you’re currently paying. With refinancing, you’re also usually able to adjust other terms to your loans, such as the repayment schedule. You can extend it, if you’re looking for lower monthly payments, or shorten it, if you want to pay less in interest—and outsmart amortization—on your loan.

Borrowers shouldn’t refinance their loans if they’re currently using one of the special federal loan repayment plans such as income-driven repayment or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. When you refinance, you will lose access to these programs. Otherwise, it’s usually worth looking into.

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.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SOSL18211

Back to school, and back into student loan debt? Not so fast. Pursuing a graduate degree can have an excellent return on investment and enrich your educational experience, but it doesn’t necessarily have to send you into a student loan debt spiral. Getting money for graduate school doesn’t have to be as challenging as getting the degree itself.

You can try supplementing the cost of graduate school with scholarships. Turning to scholarships to help fund grad school can be a smart way to subsidize your education. The tricky part can be tracking the right scholarship down and applying. It’s back to the books and back to scholarship applications. In this article, we’ll discuss finding and applying to graduate school scholarships.

Scholarships are available through many different avenues, including states, organizations, nonprofits, companies, and more. Scholarships are typically merit-based and typically don’t need to be paid back. But to get one, you’d need to first apply.

Graduate School Scholarships & Grants

Federal and state governments offer a lot of grants and scholarships for graduate students. While scholarships and grants are similar in that they are often considered “gift aid”, many grants can come with need-based stipulations. When applying for any scholarship or grant, it’s important to read the fine print to make sure to qualify and can hold up your end of the bargain if you are indeed awarded the money.

State Scholarships & Grants

To find scholarships and grants at the state level, you can try contacting your state’s Department of Education for assistance and resources. Scholarships and grants vary state by state.

Federal Scholarships & Grants

The federal scholarship and grant application process is a little more streamlined than the state process. However, only some of these grants are available for graduate school programs.

For example, graduate students do not qualify for Pell grants, except for post-baccalaureate certification programs. Again, paying close attention to the qualifications for a grant before applying is crucial.

There are several types of federal grants available:

•  Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
TEACH grants are available to graduate students at many universities (make sure your school is involved in the program before applying). The grant offers up to $4,000 a year for students who intend to teach after their studies. However, if you have a TEACH grant, you’ll be required to teach in a high-need field in a low-income area for a certain amount of time after your degree.

•  Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
You may be eligible for this grant if your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Afghanistan or Iraq.

•  Fulbright Grants
Fulbright grants can be very competitive and have specific eligibility requirements. The application process can be rigorous, so pay special attention to deadlines and directions.

There are even more grants offered by other federal institutions and departments. For a comprehensive search, you can look through Grants.gov or the U.S. Department of Labor’s database. On these sites, you can search for your program, field of study, or other qualifiers.

Both federal and state scholarships will require you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to apply. Before you take any additional steps, you may want to start by filling out the FAFSA, which is used to determine federal aid, scholarships, and grants.

Private Graduate Scholarships

When it comes to finding money for grad school, there are plenty of organizations, companies, and nonprofits that offer scholarship opportunities. The scholarships could be merit-based, need-based, or simply granted based on your affiliation or application.

Some scholarships are on the smaller side, others much larger, but any amount of aid can help. You may want to consider these elements while you’re on the hunt for private scholarships for graduate school:

•  Your College or University
Your school might offer merit-based scholarship or grant opportunities. Possible action item: connecting with your department, as well as the office of financial aid to see if you qualify for some scholarship from the school and what additional steps you may need to take to apply.

•  Your Course of Study
You may be able to find scholarships related to your field of study . Possible action item: searching national foundations, or even companies that might provide a scholarship. This might be especially helpful in STEM fields, or other careers where there’s a high need for employees in the workforce.

•  Your Neighborhood
Are you involved in any community organizations? Possible action item: seeing if your religious organizations, local civic groups, and other community organizations you belong to offer scholarships. You could reach out to see what may be available and perhaps complete the necessary applications.

•  Your Background
Based on your ethnicity or cultural heritage, you may be able to qualify for several grants. Possible action item: reaching out to national foundations or local community groups to see what they offer.

These are only a few avenues to consider when looking for private graduate school scholarships. Databases and search engines can help, but don’t be afraid to get creative.

Fellowships

Fellowships are also great ways to find money for graduate school. Unlike a grant or scholarship, fellowships are money typically tied to an opportunity. If you get a fellowship , it’s likely you’ll be required to study, research, or work in a field for a short period. Not only will fellowships help you pay for graduate school, but they can also be an opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field.

Finding a fellowship will be specific to your field of study. You can start your search process by talking to your academic department for assistance, or finding a nonprofit institution specializing in your field of study. Applicants should be aware that fellowships typically require a fairly rigorous application process.

Using Student Loans to Cover Grad School

If scholarships, grants, and fellowships just aren’t cutting it, it may be time to consider student loans as well as alternative funding.

If you’re applying for federal or private loans, it’s worth noting that the process is different than applying for undergraduate loans. You can borrow more as a graduate student, but you might be looking at higher interest rates.

Other than taking on student loans, there are several alternatives to funding your graduate degree. If you’re able to work while attending school, you can save and budget to cover a portion or all of your tuition. If you are working, you can speak with your employer to see if they offer a tuition reimbursement program. Employee tuition reimbursement might require you to stay at the company for a number of years, or pursue a specific degree. Program requirements will vary by company.

It could also be worth exploring student loan forgiveness programs. While a loan forgiveness program doesn’t mean cash upfront for grad school, it could help lower or eliminate monthly payments after you finish your studies. Depending on where you land after grad school, you might qualify for Public Service Loan
Forgiveness . Also, hundreds of companies now offer student loan assistance as a perk for employees, which might be something to consider down the line.

Refinancing Your Graduate School Debt

If you do end up borrowing student loans to complete your graduate degree, you could consider refinancing them when you’ve completed your program of study. With a graduate degree, you may have increased your earning potential and secured a new job.

Depending on your credit history, you could qualify for a lower interest rate when you refinance. If you borrowed federal student loans, know that refinancing means you’ll no longer be eligible for federal protections or forgiveness programs.

With SoFi student loan refinancing, you can find out what rate you qualify for in just a few minutes. There are no origination fees or prepayment penalties. And when you refinance with SoFi you’ll have access to member benefits like unemployment protection and exclusive member events.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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.

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.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SOSL19033

When you go to the gym, you might bring your significant other along to hold you accountable in your workout. Or maybe you have a co-worker you always want to collaborate with because they push you to produce your best work.

Whether it’s at home or work, we could all use accountability partners. Having a friend to keep you in check while you’re repaying your student loans could help you pay off your loans in the best way for you.

What Is an Accountability Partner?

While a boss or a parent is a hierarchical relationship, an accountability partner is an equal relationship. You keep tabs on each other to ensure you’re both hitting the goals you set.

When it comes to paying off your student loans, your accountability partner could help you make sure you’re setting goals and achieving them. They might check in often to see how you’re doing and, if you need to reset, they could help you re-evaluate your vision. Having an accountability buddy keeping an eye on you might help motivate you to work toward your goals.

Why Would Someone Need an Accountability Partner?

It’s easy to say you’ll independently hold yourself accountable, but if you fail to follow through, there may not be any consequences. And if you keep putting something off, you might have a hard time achieving your goals.

If you’re a self-starter, or you hit the goals you make for yourself, then you might not need an accountability partner. But if you’re struggling to finish what you start and you want someone to keep an eye on you, having a buddy could be helpful.

Finding a partner or buddy who’s there to talk out your issues with could be an excellent step to reviewing and revising your current strategy for hitting your goals.

Finding an Accountability Partner

Your partner should be your equal—you’ll both be setting yourselves up to stay in line and crush your goals. If you aren’t sure who your accountability partner should be, you could look for the people you’re closest to, like a spouse, friend, co-worker, or even a relative. If you’re okay with your parents keeping tabs on your repayment goals, you could consider them as an option, too.

Author Susan Cain has a few suggestions on how to find an accountability partner, no matter your goals; we just applied them to student loan repayment here:

  1. Finding someone you trust. They don’t have to be your best friend, but they can be a good friend, relative, or significant other. Different personalities might be better, too.

  2. Reviewing your goals. When it comes to your student loans, it can be helpful to have a clear target in mind, like increasing your monthly payments by a certain dollar amount, or paying the full balance off by a set month or year.

  3. Being specific about your action plan. Share your student loan repayment plan and what consequences might occur if you don’t meet that goal.

  4. Setting up regular check-ins. Once a month or every few months, you could have a date set to meet up for coffee or a phone call to catch up on your progress. This could be a good way to set little goals — by achieving them before your check-in.

  5. Revisiting goals. Remember, your goals can be fluid. It’s okay to shift and change as your strategy evolves. Maybe you get a raise and can tweak your contributions. Maybe you get a side hustle, and you could meet your original goal sooner. Don’t be afraid to make changes if what you’re doing isn’t working.

Will an Accountability Partner Help You Repay Your Student Loans?

While you wouldn’t expect your financial accountability partner to gift you money to repay your student loans, you can expect them to give you a figurative kick in the butt to keep your repayment goals on track.

If your goal is to increase your monthly student loan payments, you could set an amount you’re comfortable with paying. If you find after a few months that your goal is easily attainable and want to contribute more, that’s when you could revise your goal and increase your amount.

You might want to talk with your accountability partner about this change, too. They might be able to offer a different perspective.

Are you taking that money away from something important, like a credit card bill or your future retirement? Your accountability partner could help shift your thinking. The change might not be as good as you thought.

Having someone to help you along the way to student loan repayment success might get you to hit your goals you wouldn’t otherwise have managed. A person who has your best interest in mind but also treats you as an equal instead of a subordinate could be a great way to stay on top of your student loan payments.

Refinancing Student Loans

One thing you and your accountability buddy might discuss is the possibility of refinancing your student loans. You could potentially end up paying lower interest over the life of the loan and save money in the long run.

Refinancing with SoFi could mean serious savings, with low interest rates, no hidden fees and no pre-payment penalties.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SOSL18249

When you applied to college, you knew it was going to be expensive. For many students, paying for the cost of their college education out of pocket just isn’t an option.

Many turn to financial aid to fill the gap between what they can afford and the cost of tuition—the U.S. Department of Education awarded more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, federal student loans in 2018. So, you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAⓇ) every year and plan on receiving a financial aid package that might help you make ends meet as you work your way to your degree.

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you lost your financial aid? Losing financial aid in college might be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream of getting a degree.

Federal student loans and grants aren’t the only way to pay for college, and knowing what options are out there could help you continue your college education without skipping a beat.

Losing Your Financial Aid

To qualify for federal student aid, you must meet specific eligibility requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Education. While most college students don’t have a problem meeting them, there’s no guarantee you’ll maintain eligibility through the entirety of your college career. Requirements include:

•  Demonstrating financial need

•  Being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

•  A valid Social Security number

•  Enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program

•  Demonstrating that you’re eligible to pursue higher education by showing a high school diploma or completion of other qualifying schooling

If you don’t meet one or more of these requirements at any time, you may potentially lose your financial aid. While it could be possible to gain that eligibility back, you may need to find other ways to pay for school in the meantime.

How to Pay for College After Losing Financial Aid

Whether you’re no longer eligible for financial aid or you weren’t eligible to begin with, there are several options that could help cover your education costs.

1. Applying for Scholarships

Most universities offer academic scholarships to students who meet certain minimum GPA requirements. If you’ve done well in school so far, you may qualify. If you’re already in a program, you may also have access to scholarships available only to students in your major.

You could speak with a financial aid counselor at your school or visit the college’s scholarship page on its website to find out what’s available.

Also, many private companies and organizations offer scholarships to diligent students. Websites like Scholarships.com , Fastweb , and College Board allow you to search for scholarships and even provide tips on how to improve your chances of getting one.

2. Getting a Job

Working even part-time while taking classes might sound like a surefire way to kill your social life or induce sleep deprivation. But after losing financial aid, it may be essential to staying in school.

Many colleges have on-campus jobs that allow you to work without needing to stray too far away. And in fact, some financial aid packages include work-study, which is often an on-campus job that can help you earn money toward your tuition and other school fees.

Being awarded work-study doesn’t guarantee you a job through your school or local community, but it typically helps you secure placement and a specific number of working hours consistent with your award. But if your school has thousands of students, the competition can be fierce. If you have a car or access to public transportation, you could consider looking off-campus. As you expand your search, you might want to compare wages, hours, and other benefits.

3. Seeking Help From Family

If you have a supportive family situation and your parents can help you without putting their own financial situation in jeopardy, it may be worth asking for assistance. They don’t necessarily need to cover your tuition costs for you.

Instead, they may be able to provide you with a place to live rent-free, or you could ask for a loan with clear terms for repayment. Whatever you do, you might want to be mindful of your parents’ or other family members’ needs and don’t assume you’ll receive help.

4. Considering Transferring

Depending on the cost of tuition and the amount of financial aid you lost, it might be worth transferring to a less expensive college to save on costs. While that won’t pay for your tuition on its own, it may give you access to more scholarship and grant opportunities.

5. Applying for Private Student Loans

While federal loans often carry lower interest rates and more benefits than private student loans, the latter can still be an option if you fall short with the alternatives, whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student.

Several banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer private student loans. As a result, you might want to shop around to make sure you get the best terms for your needs.

Also, unlike most federal student loans, private student loans typically require a credit check. And unless you have a strong credit history, a reliable source of income, and can meet other lender requirements, you may have a hard time getting approved. Again, if you have supportive parents, another option is to ask them to co-sign a private student loan with you.

Getting Financial Aid Back After Suspension

If you’ve lost your eligibility , the decision isn’t necessarily final. For example, if you’ve defaulted on a federal loan, you may be able to regain your eligibility once you get the loan out of default.

Whatever the reason, you could talk with your school’s financial aid office and find out what you need to do to get it back. It may take some time, but it can be well worth it, especially if you have a few years left in school.

Practicing Smart Student Loan Habits

If you’ve taken out student loans or you’re planning to use student loans in the future to finance your education, you might want to use them wisely.

Before you borrow, for instance, you could make sure you’ve exhausted all of your other options to get money to pay for school, including getting a job and applying for scholarships and grants. Also, you could avoid borrowing more than you need to limit how much you’ll owe in the long run.

As you get closer to graduation, you might consider refinancing your student loans once your credit and income are in good shape. Refinancing could potentially help you score a lower monthly payment, a lower interest rate, or both.

Know that if you refinance federal loans, you’ll no longer be eligible for programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans or other federal benefits. To see what your new refinanced student loan could look like, take a look at our student loan refinance calculator.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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