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When students take a gap year, they typically take a semester or year off between high school and college in order to take advantage of experiential learning. While extraordinary opportunities may be awaiting you, you may struggle to think of ways to pay for the experience.

If that’s the case, there are options that may help you pay for your gap year — beyond funding the costs out of pocket. Continue reading for more information on options you may want to consider should you find yourself in need of help funding your non-classroom experience.

Gap Year, Explained

First of all, what is a gap year and why do people take them?

Students may choose to take a semester or year off with the goal of getting a break from academics and prior to diving into postsecondary education. Students may choose to complete an internship, travel, study on their own, volunteer, or pursue other interests. Some students choose to pursue a gap year with the intention of discovering what it is that they want to major in or the career path they’d like to pursue.

Many students report a developed self- and cultural awareness, increased independence, and confidence after taking a gap year.

Students may choose to apply to colleges and universities during their senior year (and let colleges know of their plans to take a gap year), during their gap year or after they’ve completed their gap year. Waiting until later often gives them the advantage of being able to report on what they’ve learned during their time away from academics.

In some instances, a gap year may also be something for a student to do after college or in-between college and post-graduate study.

Planning Out Your Gap Year

It’s important to plan out your gap year ahead of time so you have a plan for how you’ll spend your time. It can be easy to waste time when you break from a traditional schedule. Having a plan ensures that you’ll have a better chance of achieving your goals — you might even curb expenses as well.

It may be helpful to break your plan down into measurable goals. For example, if you plan to travel, write down where you’d like to be on specific dates so you don’t miss any of your intended milestones. It’s also a good idea to budget for your gap year ahead of time so you know how much it will cost and the amount you’ll need per week or month to live on.

Options for Financing Your Gap Year

You can always finance your gap year with cash you or your parents have saved or with money from a well-meaning grandparent. However, not everyone has cash bankrolling their gap year. Let’s take a look at a few ways you may want to consider financing your gap year.

Gap Year Scholarship or Grant

A private entity may offer you a gap year grant or scholarship. A scholarship is free money that you don’t have to pay back that can come from a wide variety of entities, including clubs, organizations, foundations, charities, businesses, the government and individuals. It’s possible to find scholarships specifically for gap years, particularly for students who want to volunteer, improve certain skills, volunteer, develop a talent, or complete another type of experiential learning.

Grants are also a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. Grants may also help you fund your gap year without having to repay the money. However, it’s important to check into the fine print on both college grants and scholarships to ensure that you fit the criteria. (Some scholarships and grants require you to get college credit in order to qualify.)

529 Account or College Savings

If you or your parents have college savings set aside in a brokerage account, savings or checking account, or a certificate of deposit (CD), you may want to use this money to pay for gap year expenses.

A 529 plan is an investment account that offers investment opportunities and tax advantages when used to pay for qualified education expenses. You may take withdrawals from a 529 plan to pay for qualified educational expenses for tuition, room, board, fees, books, equipment for classes, and other supplies at an accredited institution. If you meet these requirements, you won’t pay federal income tax.

However, if you spend the money on an expense that doesn’t qualify as a higher education cost (such as your plane ticket to go overseas). Be careful when using your 529 savings unless you’re attending a specific program through an accredited institution.

Find a Paid Internship or Part-Time Job

Obtaining a paid internship or part-time job can help you float some or all of the expenses of a gap year. For example, if you plan to spend your year volunteering at soup kitchens throughout a major city, a part-time job may help you pay for transportation to get there and also other living expenses. On the other hand, if you intend to use your gap year to gain work experience to discover your career goals, a paid internship may help you take care of all of your living expenses.

Recommended: Jobs to Help Pay for School Expenses

Apply for Financial Aid

Financial aid can refer to a wide range of types of money to pay for credits at college or career school.

Some gap year programs offer college credit, so you may be able to apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA can give you access to grants, federal student loans, and other opportunities.

While you may have never had any intention of taking college credit during a gap year (you may feel that it defeats the purpose of a gap year!) but taking a college-credit class or two as part of your experience or doing a credit-based gap year program may help cover some of your costs.

Personal Loans

Taking out a personal loan involves borrowing money from a bank, online lender, or credit union that you repay in fixed installments. Personal loans are not backed by collateral, which also means they are called unsecured loans. (Secured loans, on the other hand, are backed by collateral, such as a house.) Personal loans often carry higher interest rates than some other types of loans. It may be difficult for someone to get a personal loan without a cosigner if they don’t have a long history of building credit.

It’s a good idea to be careful about taking out a personal loan due to these higher interest rates and having to bring a cosigner on board. That cosigner could end up paying for your loan if you default on the loan and ultimately, it could affect both of your credit scores.

Using Private Student Loans to Finance Gap Year

Private student loans are student loans that come from a bank, credit union, or other private lender. You probably cannot use private student loans to finance your time off from school if you plan to backpack across Europe, but if you do take a few classes as part of a gap year program, you may be able to use private loans to cover your costs. Check with lenders about their requirements before you apply and whether or not a particular program will qualify.

The Takeaway

A gap year can help “gappers” explore career goals, develop confidence, volunteer, and more. If you’re thinking carefully about a gap year, you also might be worried about the cost of taking that time off. Consider putting together a list of costs, goals, and plans so you can make sure that your gap year goes off without a hitch. From there, you can start planning how you’ll cover your expenses during your time away from the classroom.

Finally, don’t forget that you can always put together a combination of sources of funding. For example, you can pay for your gap year with a combination of scholarships, money saved, and internship money.

3 Student Loan Tips

1. Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.
2. Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too. You can submit it as early as Oct. 1.
3. It’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of private student loans and federal student loans before committing to them.

FAQ

How much should I budget for a gap year?

The amount you should budget for a gap year depends on your personal circumstances. It also depends on what you plan to do. Living at home with your parents and volunteering in your community will likely cost less than hopping on a plane and spending a year abroad. No matter what your plan, it’s best to get an estimate of your expenses ahead of time and then use that as a basis for your budget throughout your gap year.

How can I get funding for a gap year?

There are many ways to get funding for a gap year. Depending on your situation and circumstances, you may consider tapping into scholarships, grants, a 529 account, college savings, through a paid internship or part-time job, financial aid, personal loans or private student loans. There’s no single way to fund your gap year, and you may also want to consider a combination of different sources to pay for it.

How long should a gap year be?

A gap year can be any length of time, but they typically last between two weeks and one year.

About the author

Melissa Brock

Melissa Brock is a higher education and personal finance expert with more than a decade of experience writing online content. She spent 12 years in college admission prior to switching to full-time freelance writing and editing. Read full bio.

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As a student, you must submit a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each school year to determine federal financial aid you qualify for, including grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Many colleges and states also use FAFSA information to award their own institutional and state-based aid, so skipping the FAFSA could mean missing out on thousands of dollars in free or low-cost funding.

The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year opened on September 24, 2025, earlier than the traditional October 1 launch date. While the federal deadline to submit the FAFSA is June 30, 2026, it’s wise to complete the form as early as possible. Many states and schools award aid on a first-come, first basis and have much earlier deadlines.

What follows is a detailed guide to completing the 2026-2027 FAFSA.

Documents You’ll Need

Before you sit down to complete the online FAFSA application, gather the following documents and information to make the process smoother:

•   Your Social Security number

•   Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if you’re not a U.S. citizen

•   Your federal income tax return

•   Records of child support received

•   Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts

•   Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)

•   Records of net worth of investments, businesses, and farms

•   Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

If you’re a dependent student, your parent(s) will need most of the same information to complete their portion of the FAFSA.

💡 Quick Tip: Fund your education with a competitive-rate, no-fees-required SoFi private student loan that covers up to 100% of school-certified costs.

How to Fill Out the FAFSA in 6 Steps

Ready to file the FAFSA? Most applicants complete the form in less than one hour, including the time needed to gather personal and financial information.

Here’s how to fill out the FAFSA step by step.

Step 1: Create an Account

Before completing the FAFSA online, you need to create a StudentAid.gov account. This account provides you with a username and password that allow you to securely log in, complete the FAFSA electronically, and sign the form digitally.

Any required contributor(s) must also create their own StudentAid.gov account. A contributor is anyone required to provide consent and financial info for your FAFSA, such as a parent, stepparent, or spouse. Contributors are not required to pay for your college education, but their financial information may be necessary.

Step 2: Provide Personal Information

After logging in, select “student” to indicate that you are completing the form as the student applicant.

You’ll begin by reviewing and confirming basic personal information, including:

•   Name

•   Date of birth

•   Social Security number

•   Email address

•   Mobile phone number

•   Mailing address

Next, you’ll answer questions about your personal circumstances, such as whether you are a veteran, have dependents of your own, or are a legally emancipated minor. These questions determine whether you’re classified as a dependent or independent student for financial aid purposes.

You’ll also be asked about:

•   Race and ethnicity (used for research purposes only and not factored into your aid eligibility)

•   State of residence

•   Parent education status

•   High school information

•   Any federal benefits you or your family members have received

Step 3: Add Student Financial Information

To be eligible for federal student aid, you must provide consent for the FAFSA to import your tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the IRS Direct Data Exchange. The 2026–2027 FAFSA uses 2024 federal tax information. Once you give consent, your relevant tax information will automatically populate the form.

You’ll also need to report:

•   Your tax filing status (e.g., single or married filing jointly)

•   Any child support you received

•   Your financial assets, such as cash in bank accounts and investments you own

Do not include your parents’ financial assets in this section. Those will be reported separately by your parent(s). If you are married, your spouse’s financial information may also be required.

Step 4: Select Colleges

Next, choose the colleges, universities, and career schools you’re considering. You can list up to 20 schools where you want your FAFSA information sent. Schools can be searched by name, city, and state or school code.

Recommended: How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

Step 5: Review and Sign

You’ll then review the terms and conditions of the FAFSA, confirm that all the information you provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge, and electronically sign the application. Once signed, your portion of the FAFSA is complete. However, the entire form isn’t officially submitted until all required contributors (like parents or spouses) also complete and sign the form.

Step 6: Parents Add Information

If you’re a dependent student, you must invite your parent(s) to complete their portion of the FAFSA. You’ll do this by providing their email address, which sends them an invitation to access the form.

If your parents are married and filed a joint tax return, only one parent needs to fill out the FAFSA. If they’re married but filed separately, both parents are contributors. If your parents are divorced or separated and live apart, the parent who provided the most financial support during the past 12 months is the required contributor.

Parents will need to provide contact information, household size details, the number of family members attending college, and any federal benefits received. They’ll also consent to import tax data from the IRS and report financial assets, including:

•   Total balances of checking and savings accounts

•   Total value of investments, minus debts.

•   Current value of businesses or farms, minus debts

Retirement accounts — such as 401ks, IRAs, and pensions — should not be included on the FAFSA. After reviewing their information, parents will sign and submit the form.

Recommended: Quick FAFSA Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

If You Need Additional Help Filling Out the FAFSA

If you need assistance, click the white question mark icon next to any FAFSA question to view guidance. You can also visit the FAFSA Help Center, watch the FAFSA tutorial video, or chat with Aidan, the virtual assistant within the application.

Additional help is available through the Federal Student Aid Information Center, our FAFSA guide, or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend.

What Happens After You Submit the FAFSA?

Within one to three days of submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary. This document summarizes your responses and includes your Student Aid Index (SAI), which schools use to calculate your financial aid eligibility.

Each college you listed on your FAFSA and are accepted to will send you a financial aid award letter. This may include federal aid such as:

•   Direct Subsidized Loans

•   Direct Unsubsidized Loans

•   Work-Study

•   Pell Grants

•   TEACH Grants

•   Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Who Should Complete the FAFSA?

Almost every student planning to attend college or graduate school should complete the FAFSA. This includes students from middle- and high-income households, part-time students, and those who believe they won’t qualify for federal aid.

Many scholarships, grants, and institutional aid programs require a complete FAFSA regardless of income level. Even if you don’t qualify for need-based grants, you may still be eligible for federal student loans, work-study opportunities, or school-specific financial assistance. Completing the FAFSA ensures you don’t miss out on any funding options available to you.

What If I Don’t Qualify for Any or Enough Aid?

If your financial aid offer doesn’t fully cover your education costs, you still have several options. You can appeal your financial aid award if your family’s financial situation has changed due to circumstances such as job loss, medical expenses, or other unexpected hardship.

You can also apply for private scholarships and grants, which are offered by organizations, employers, and nonprofits and don’t need to be repaid. In addition, working part-time during the school year or over the summer can help offset education and living expenses.

Private student loans are another option for covering remaining costs. However, they should be used carefully since they often have higher interest rates and offer fewer repayment protections than federal student loans.

The Takeaway

Completing the FAFSA application doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In most cases, the application takes less than an hour from start to finish. By following this step-by-step guide, you can confidently submit your FAFSA and understand what types of financial aid you may be eligible to receive for the upcoming school year.

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.

FAQ

What’s the due date for the FAFSA?

The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year for the following academic year. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the FAFSA opened early (in September 2025). The federal deadline is June 30, 2027. However, be aware that many states and individual colleges have much earlier deadlines, so it’s always best to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Can I fill out the FAFSA myself?

Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA yourself by visiting the official StudentAid.gov website. The online application is designed for the student to begin the process, and this is generally the fastest and most accurate way to submit the form. Whether you can complete the FAFSA form using only your information depends on your dependency status. If you are considered to be a dependent student for financial aid purposes, you’ll need to invite your parent(s) or other required contributor(s) to complete their own section of the FAFSA, providing their financial information and consent.

How long does it take to fill out the FAFSA?

The FAFSA form typically takes most applicants less than one hour to complete from start to finish, including the time spent gathering necessary documents. Gathering information like tax returns, Social Security numbers, and asset information beforehand can reduce the time to 30 minutes.

What disqualifies you from getting FAFSA?

Certain factors can disqualify an applicant from receiving federal student aid through the FAFSA. These include:

•   Not being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

•   Not having a high school diploma or equivalent

•   Not providing consent and to have your federal tax information transferred directly into form

•   Having defaulted on a federal student loan.

Additionally, maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is usually a requirement for continued aid eligibility.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.

Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

SoFi Bank, N.A. and its lending products are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with any college or university unless otherwise disclosed.

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.

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There might be more lucrative professions than teaching, but if you’re considering becoming a college professor, you can earn a comfortable salary. The average national salary for a full-time college professor was $97,762 in 2022-23, according to the National Education Association’s 2024 report, Educator Pay in America. That’s a 4% increase over the 2021-22 school year and higher than the average pay for educators working in elementary, middle, and high schools.

However, pay varies depending on a number of factors, including your faculty rank, the type of institution where you work, and even the subject matter you teach. Whether you’re considering becoming a professor or just curious about professor salaries, read on for more information about how you might benefit financially from being a professor.

What Do College Professors Do?

What exactly do college professors do all day? Their typical duties include:

Teaching

College professors teach courses related to their areas of expertise and interest, and grade assignments, papers, and exams. They develop a curriculum, select textbooks, and create assignments and lecture notes. They may also run labs or research spaces on campus and attend professional conferences and training.

Conducting Research

Many professors conduct research, which means they make contributions to their field in the form of designing studies, collecting data, and publishing in academic journals.

Advising Students

Professors often serve as advisors to their students, guiding them on course selection and their future careers. They may even serve as connections between former and current students.

Serving in Leadership Positions

Professors could be asked to serve on committees to benefit specific areas of the college or university. This might involve shaping policy and the curriculum of their respective area by sitting in on departmental meetings. They may also sit on the hiring committee for new faculty members.

Recruiting

In many cases, small colleges need their professors to meet with prospective students to “sell” the college. They also serve as community engagement and brand ambassadors and help familiarize students with their programs and teaching style.

As they gain seniority, professors might choose when they want to teach their classes. They may also have the advantage of choosing sabbatical leave, which refers to time off related to research or other academic activities.

How Much Do Starting College Professors Make a Year?

A typical entry-level professor makes around $38 per hour. However, not every educator is paid by the hour. For instance, if you’re a part-time adjunct professor, you might get paid based on the number of classes you teach. If you’re a full-time lecturer who can’t take advantage of the tenure track, then you may get paid an annual salary.

Tools like a budget planner app can help you make the most of your income.

Recommended: What Is a Good Entry-Level Salary?

What Is the Average Salary for a College Professor?

By and large, professors who work full time at a larger institution can make a decent salary. But you may be able to command even more money if you’re willing to relocate to a state where educators earn more. Below, we break down the average salary for college professors by state:

If you’re wondering how these salaries compare to other salaries in your state, it can be helpful to check out the highest-paying jobs by state.

Recommended: Is $100,000 a Good Salary?

College Professor Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits

Not every institution releases information on the benefits and pay their faculty receives. But compensation surveys like the ones conducted by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) offer some details.

An analysis of those two surveys revealed that the most common benefits for professors include employer contributions to various types of retirement accounts and health insurance. Professors also often receive other compensation and fringe benefits, including:

•   College tuition reimbursement

•   Group life insurance

•   Workers’ compensation premiums

•   Parking on campus

•   Social Security contributions

•   Disability income protection

•   Unemployment insurance

•   Athletic event tickets and other nonsalaried benefits

Pros and Cons of College Professor Salary

Before you choose this career direction, it’s important to note the pros and cons of college professor salaries.

First, the pros:

•   Potential for a high salary: You have the potential to earn good pay as a professor. Although the figure varies depending on your position and institution, years of experience and expertise, you can earn a competitive salary and comfortable living. A money tracker app can help you monitor your spending so you can make the most of your earnings.

•   Perks: What other job allows you to attend football games for free or take in nationally recognized speakers and performers who come to campus? Whether you take advantage of these or other perks, you likely won’t find fringe benefits quite like those on a college campus.

•   Unions can work in your favor: Professors in unions receive higher pay on average, and those who work in the same state and belong to a union get paid about $5,000 more, according to the National Education Association. Professors who work in states without unions make, on average, $17,000 less.

•   Opportunity for tenure: College professors can sometimes maintain their roles permanently, meaning that they cannot be dismissed except under clearly outlined circumstances. After about seven years, you may achieve a guaranteed income and academic freedom.

Now, the cons:

•   Lack of job security: In a highly competitive field like academia, it may be difficult to find a permanent position. Some professionals can only find contract positions or cannot secure tenure track positions, since many colleges have moved away from that model.

•   Higher private sector salaries: Professors may find that the private sector offers higher salaries. Some professors may even pursue multiple roles to maximize their earnings.

•   Unsavory parts of the job: No job is perfect, but faculty jobs often require long hours, sometimes include unmotivated students, politics, and other professional challenges. Some individuals may not find the high potential pay worth the trade-off.

The Takeaway

Now that you know how much money a college professor makes, you can determine whether the job is the right fit for you. Becoming a faculty member can offer an incredibly rewarding career with excellent pay. However, be sure to learn about the qualifications for the type of job you’d like to pursue in academia, because you may have to follow a very specific career path to qualify. Some professionals in the private sector make the jump to teaching after a solid career in the same field they teach.

While you’re unlikely to find professor jobs on the list of jobs for introverts due the very public-facing nature of the profession, many people find a niche — and a lucrative career — in academia.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

Can you make $100k a year as a college professor?

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a college professor. However, you’re unlikely to make that much as a first-year, adjunct, or part-time professor. Some experience and time in the field are typically required to qualify for that salary.

Do people like being a college professor?

Many people find that becoming a professor is very rewarding and consider teaching a calling rather than a job. Consider shadowing a college professor before you make the leap yourself. Interviewing a professor can also help you determine whether it’s for you. There are many other job responsibilities involved in the career besides teaching, some of which might not fit your preferences or personality.

Is it hard to get hired as a college professor?

It can seem hard to get hired as a college professor, especially for highly specialized fields in a competitive job market. You may need to follow a specific job path to become a tenure track professor, including achieving certain degrees, completing research or a postdoctoral fellowship, tackling professional development, gaining teaching experience, and more. You may also have to pass a final tenure review later on if you choose that path.

About the author

Melissa Brock

Melissa Brock is a higher education and personal finance expert with more than a decade of experience writing online content. She spent 12 years in college admission prior to switching to full-time freelance writing and editing. Read full bio.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

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SORL-Q224-1871726-V1

Applying for a student loan consolidation can take approximately 30 minutes for borrowers who have their financial information on hand, according to the Federal Student Aid website. Repayment of the consolidated loan usually begins within 60 days after the loan is disbursed.

When you need to simplify your monthly student loan payments, you don’t want to waste a minute. Let’s cover the definition of consolidation, examine how long it takes to consolidate student loans, and go over the steps in the student loan consolidation process. We’ll also discuss whether it’s possible to speed up how long student loan consolidation takes.

What Is Student Loan Consolidation and How Does It Work?

“Consolidation” is just a fancy word for combining, and that’s a great first step to understand how student loan consolidation works. If you have multiple federal loans, you can combine them into a single loan using a Direct Consolidation Loan. After a free application process, consolidation gives you a single monthly payment instead of multiple bills.

A Direct Consolidation Loan may lower your monthly payment by giving you a longer repayment period (up to 30 years) or access to income-driven repayment plans — but not by lowering your interest rate. The rate you receive will be a weighted average of your prior loan rates, rounded up to the nearest ⅛ of a percent.

You can consolidate most federal student loans, including the following:

•   Direct Subsidized Loans

•   Direct Unsubsidized Loans

•   Direct PLUS Loans

•   Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students

Check the Federal Student Aid website for a complete list of qualified loans.

How do you consolidate your student loans?

•   Gather your loan records, account statements, and bills so you have everything in front of you to complete the Direct Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note.

•   Fill out borrower information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number, as well as the names of two adult references.

•   Next, you’ll enter the loans you want to consolidate (including requested information and codes) as well as the loans you don’t want to consolidate.

•   You’ll also walk through how you want to repay your loans and review the borrower understandings, certifications, and authorizations. Finally, sign the note, which promises that you’ll repay your loans.

How Long Does Student Loan Consolidation Take?

The federal Direct Consolidation Loan application process takes approximately six weeks from the day it is submitted. Consolidating private student loans — called refinancing – typically takes less time. Read on for details.

Federal Loans

Federal student loans come from the federal government through the U.S. Department of Education. Terms and conditions are set by law, including the interest rate.

To consolidate federal student loans, you first must fill out the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan Application and Promissory Note, which should take about 30 minutes to complete. From there, the process of consolidation takes approximately six weeks. Borrowers can check the status of their application at StudentAid.gov.

Until the consolidation process is complete, you must continue to make payments on your current loans. Once the servicer determines your loans are eligible for consolidation, you may begin paying your new loan instead.

Private Loans

Private student loans, unlike federal student loans, originate from a private lender — a bank, online lender, or credit union. You cannot change private student loans into federal student loans through the federal loan consolidation process. You also cannot consolidate private and federal student loans together.

However, you can refinance private loans. Refinancing means switching to a private lender to get a better rate or term. You can refinance a single loan or combine a number of loans to give you one new loan.

Refinancing federal student loans means that all of your loans become private loans. As a result, you lose access to federal student loan benefits like interest rate discounts and loan cancellation benefits. (You can learn more about the pros and cons in our student loan refinancing guide.)

Refinancing with a private student loan lender typically takes less time — sometimes just a few business days. However, this timeline can be longer if additional documentation is needed or if you have a coapplicant. In these cases, the timeline can vary depending on the lender and the time it takes the borrower to gather and submit the documents.

Recommended: Consolidating vs. Refinancing Student Loans

Is There Any Way to Accelerate the Student Loan Consolidation Process?

Unfortunately, you cannot accelerate the federal student loan consolidation process.

You may want to consider skipping the consolidation process altogether and refinance your student loans with a private lender, which will likely take less time. You can take a look at a student loan refinancing rate calculator to make sure it will financially work to your advantage.

Pros and Cons of Consolidating Student Loans

Why might you want to consolidate federal loans into a single federal Direct Consolidation Loan? Or why might you want to steer clear of consolidation altogether? Review the pros and cons below to get a better understanding of whether consolidating student loans is right for you.

Alternatives to Student Loan Consolidation

If you think it might take too long to consolidate your student loans or you just want a more options, you may have these alternatives available to you:

•   Deferment: If you can claim medical or financial hardship, or you’re back in school or between jobs, you may be able to pause your student loan payments through deferment.

•   Forbearance: Forbearance means that you won’t have to make a payment or that you’ll be allowed to make a smaller payment on your federal student loans.

•   Income-driven repayment plans: Income-driven repayment plans allow you to make payments based on your family size and income.

•   Modification: A student loan modification changes the terms and conditions of an existing student loan. Unlike consolidation, a modification means you keep the same loan but adjust it.

You might also consider keeping your plan and improving your financial situation in order to comfortably be able to make your payments. This will avoid the potential downsides of consolidation, like paying more in interest due to a longer loan term.

The Takeaway

If you’re tired of making multiple federal student loan payments, consolidation might be the answer. In general, the process takes about six weeks after submitting the application.

You may also consider student loan refinancing to help you manage your monthly payments. SoFi makes it easy to see what rates you may be eligible for. Plus, with SoFi, you can skip paying origination fees, application fees, and prepayment penalties.

FAQ

Does it take longer to consolidate federal or private student loans?

It typically takes six weeks to consolidate federal student loans — longer than refinancing — but you retain your federal benefits. If you’re uncertain whether you want to consolidate your federal student loans or refinance with a private student loan lender, consider shopping around before you make a final decision.

When can consolidating student loans make sense?

Consolidating can make sense if you want to reduce multiple student loans into one monthly loan payment. Additionally, if you want to lower your monthly payments, switch loan servicers, or change to a fixed-rate loan, consolidation might be worth exploring.

Why would you consolidate rather than refinance student loans?

When you’re weighing the pros and cons of consolidating vs. refinancing, it’s important to determine your goals. If simplification is your major goal, you may want to consolidate. Additionally, if you have federal student loans and don’t want to lose protections, it might be wise to forgo refinancing and instead opt for student loan consolidation.

About the author

Melissa Brock

Melissa Brock is a higher education and personal finance expert with more than a decade of experience writing online content. She spent 12 years in college admission prior to switching to full-time freelance writing and editing. Read full bio.

Photo credit: iStock/TanyaJoy

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SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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