SoFi

Student loans are mounting for college and graduate students, with engineering majors being no exception. In fact, for the 2020-21 school year, 54% of bachelor’s degree holders left school with student loans—with a debt level of $29,100, on average. Nationally, Americans have $1.6 trillion in student debt combined. Given that engineering is the fourth most common major, many of those shouldering student debt are engineering students.

Since careers in engineering can come with salaries well into the six-figures, some students might consider taking on student loans in order to follow all the way through to a master’s degree in that area. But getting there isn’t cheap. The typical engineering grad school student can expect to spend upwards of $50,000 or more for their masters degree. And that doesn’t include possible balances carried over from their undergrad years. The average student debt for engineering undergrad students varies, but when you factor in graduate school and undergraduate debt, that could mean a substantial amount of student debt.

If you’re studying to be an engineer, you may assume there aren’t many loan assistance programs out there for you, and it’s true that there are no federal forgiveness programs specifically for engineers. But you do have options to save money on your loans, whether through public service loan forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, state programs aimed at professionals in your field, or student loan refinancing. Here, you can learn about some of the opportunities that exist.

Federal Loan Repayment Options

It’s true that many engineering majors go on to lucrative careers. But that doesn’t mean you necessarily earn a high salary right away. And you may choose to apply your skills at a government agency or nonprofit, or work in a different field altogether, earning less than expected.

The federal government offers four different repayment plans that cap your monthly payments at a percentage of your income in order to make your student loans affordable. Once you make the minimum number of payments required, the balance on your loans is eligible to be forgiven. Which plans you’re eligible for will depend on the types of federal student loans you have and when you borrowed them:

•  The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan was created to replace REPAYE. Payments on SAVE are capped at 10% of your discretionary income (in July 2024, that threshold will be 5% for undergraduate loans). Certain borrowers will have their balances forgiven after 10 years, while others will need to make payments for up to 20-25 years before receiving forgiveness. Only Direct Loans are eligible, excluding Direct PLUS loans to parents.

•  The Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan also limits payments to 10% of your discretionary income. The balance can be forgiven after 20 years of payments. Again, only Direct Loans are eligible, except Direct PLUS loans to parents.

•  Under the Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR Plan), your payments are limited to 10% of your discretionary income if you borrowed on or after July 1, 2014, or 15% if you borrowed before that date. In the former case, the debt can be forgiven after 20 years; in the latter, it can be wiped away after 25 years. Direct Loans are eligible (except Direct PLUS loans to parents), as well as most loans under the earlier Federal Family Education Loan Program.

•  The Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR Plan) limits payments to 20% of discretionary income in most cases, and the rest can be forgiven after 25 years. Only Direct Loans are eligible, but this is the only program that also allows Direct PLUS loans to parents to qualify, as long as they are consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

If you aren’t sure which plan is best for you, ask your loan servicer for guidance. You can apply to enroll in an IDR program by filling out an Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request online or by asking your loan servicer for a paper form.

Taking advantage of programs that base your payment on your income can potentially make your monthly payment affordable in the long term if you don’t expect your salary to go up much.

Note: the amount forgiven under an income-driven repayment plan may be considered taxable income.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

There’s another way to take advantage of student loan forgiveness for engineers. If you work full-time for a government agency, non-profit, or certain other employers that serve the public interest, your federal loans might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Those organizations include the military, as well as public safety, emergency management, and public health groups.

Under this program, once you make 120 qualifying payments (the equivalent of 10 years), the balance on your loans can be eligible for forgiveness. Make sure to submit an Employment Certification form annually or when you switch jobs. Note that only Direct Loans qualify for the program.

If you have older loans, you may be able to make them eligible by consolidating them through a Direct Consolidation Loan. You need to be enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan if you want to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

State Loan Assistance Programs for Engineers

Engineering is an in-demand profession. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 140,000 new engineering jobs will be created between 2016 and 2026. The fastest growing sub-specialties are civil, mechanical, and industrial engineering.

With this in mind, a couple of states have created programs that provide student loan assistance to people in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields as incentive for professionals to reside there and pursue jobs in these areas.

For example, the Rhode Island Wavemaker Fellowship provides funds to college graduates who are pursuing a STEM-related career or starting a business in Rhode Island. Qualifying individuals receive a refundable tax credit certificate worth the value of their annual student loan burden for up to four years. Fellows are also invited to participate in various personal and professional programs and events.

The New Jersey STEM Loan Redemption Program incentivizes professionals to build careers in certain high-growth STEM fields in New Jersey. Program participants receive up to $2,000 to cover eligible student loan expenses each year, for up to four years, up to a maximum of $8,000. Half of each payment is funded by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), and the balance is matched by an equal contribution from the participant’s current employer.

When looking for student loan relief, steer clear of any scams promising fast, easy solutions at a hefty cost. Many of these companies end up filling out paperwork you could’ve completed yourself for free, or providing no services. Focus on official programs administered by federal or state governments, or by legitimate foundations or employers.


💡 Quick Tip: When refinancing a student loan, you may shorten or extend the loan term. Shortening your loan term may result in higher monthly payments but significantly less total interest paid. A longer loan term typically results in lower monthly payments but more total interest paid.

Look to Your Employer

With employers looking to retain talent, some companies offer loan assistance for engineers. For example, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the professional services firm, pays $1,200 in student loans for associates and senior associates, for up to six years. Its employees include software engineers, data engineers, cloud security engineers, DevOps engineers, and more.

Abbott, a health technology company, assists with student loans in a slightly more indirect way. For full-time and part-time workers who qualify for the company’s 401(k) plan, and who are paying at least 2% of their salary toward student loans, the company will deposit its 5% match in the 401(k) plan even if the employee doesn’t contribute anything.

This way, it helps employees avoid the tradeoff between paying off loans and saving for retirement. Abbott hires for roles like engineering director, senior manufacturing process engineer, mechanical engineer, and more.

These are just a few examples of companies that offer loan repayment help to engineers. It’s worth keeping a lookout for this benefit throughout your job search.

The Benefits of Student Loan Refinancing

The above options may not be enough: Perhaps you don’t live in the right place or work for the right employer, or maybe you earn too much for an income based plan to make sense. If you don’t qualify for loan assistance, or even if you do have some benefits but not all of your loans are covered, refinancing your student loans can be a good way to potentially save money.

You can refinance federal loans or private loans with a variety of lenders and other financial institutions, often nabbing a lower interest rate or reduced monthly payment in the process. (You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.) And you may get a better rate if you have a good credit score, earn a decent income, and have a solid employment history. It takes just a couple of minutes to see if you pre-qualify online.

Engineer a Better Future

Student loans represent an investment in a solid career path, but they can be a burden even for people in thriving professions. If you’re an engineer, check out what options are available to reduce your student loans, whether that’s loan forgiveness, assistance from your state or employer, or student loan refinancing.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

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.

SOSL0823015

Staying on top of student loans and other financial obligations can be challenging. If you’re having trouble making monthly payments, or you’re concerned about how you’ll repay your loans down the road, you might be wondering what happens if you don’t pay your debt.

While you cannot be arrested or put in jail for failing to pay your student loans, there are repercussions for missing student loan payments, including damage to your credit and wage garnishment.

Here’s a look at the potential legal and financial consequences of not paying debt, as well as tips for tackling student loan debt after you graduate.

Going to Jail for Debt

No matter how much or what type of outstanding debt you have, a debt collector cannot threaten to or have you arrested for that unpaid debt. Doing so is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and would be considered harassment.

A lender can, however, file a lawsuit against you to collect on an outstanding debt. If the court orders you to appear or to provide certain information, but you don’t comply, a judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. A judge can also issue a warrant for your arrest if you don’t comply with a court-ordered installment plan (such as child support).

Bottom line: You never want to ignore a court order, since doing could result in an arrest and, potentially, jail time.


💡 Quick Tip: Pay down your student loans faster with SoFi reward points you earn along the way.

Can You Go to Jail for Not Paying Student Loans?

No, you can’t be arrested or put in prison for not making payments on student loan debt. The police won’t come after you if you miss a payment. While you can be sued over defaulted student loans, this would be a civil case — not a criminal one. As a result, you don’t have to worry about doing any jail time if you lose.

As mentioned above, however, ignoring an order to appear in court could result in an arrest. And, unless you want to deal with a long, messy legal process and added expenses on top of your debt (in the form of attorney and court fees), it’s in your best interest to do whatever you can to avoid defaulting on your student loans.

Statute of Limitations on Debt

In terms of debt collection, the statute of limitations refers to the amount of time that creditors have to sue borrowers for debt that’s past due.

Federal student loans don’t have a statute of limitations. This means that federal loan servicers can collect your remaining student loan balance at any point. Keep in mind that the federal government doesn’t have to sue you to start garnishing wages, tax refunds, and Social Security checks.

For other types of debt, including private student loans, many states have statutes of limitations between three and six years, but some may be longer. The timeframe can vary based on the type of debt and the state law named in your credit agreement.

If you’re sued by a debt collector and the debt is too old, you may have a defense to the lawsuit. You may also have a claim against the collector for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which prohibits suing or threatening to sue for a debt that is past the statute of limitations.

Recommended: Private Student Loans vs Federal Student Loans

What Are the Consequences of Not Paying Off Student Loan Debt?

The consequences of not paying your student loan debt differ depending on what type of student loans you have.

Federal Student Loans

Typically, with federal student loans, the loan becomes delinquent the first day after a payment is missed. If you don’t make a payment within 90 days, your loan servicer will report the delinquency to the three national credit bureaus.

If you don’t make a payment for 270 days (roughly nine months), the loan will go into default. A default can cause long-term damage to your credit score. You may also see your federal tax refund withheld or some of your wages garnished.

Once your federal student loan is in default, you can no longer receive deferment or forbearance or any additional federal student aid. Plus, you’re no longer eligible for an income-driven repayment plan, and your lender can sue you for the money you owe.

If, however, you had student loans that were on the pandemic-related pause, there is good news: Until September 30, 2024, borrowers who miss making payments on their federal student loans won’t be penalized in the ways described above. The Biden administration is providing a 12-month “on-ramp period,” during which a borrower won’t be reported as being in default to the national credit agencies. Interest will still accrue, though, so you’re not completely off the hook.

Private Student Loans

If you don’t pay private student loans, the consequences will depend on the lender. Generally, however, this is what happens: As soon as you miss a payment, your loan will be considered delinquent. You’ll get hit with a late fee and, after 30 days, your lender can report your delinquency to major credit agencies.

After 90 days, your loan will typically go into default. At that point, your loan may be sold to a collections company. Your (and any cosigner’s) credit score will also take a hit. In addition, your lender can sue you for the money you owe. They may also be able to get a court order to garnish your wages. However, they can’t take any money from your tax refunds or Social Security checks.

Tips for Getting Out of Student Loan Debt

You won’t go to jail for not paying back your student loans, but you can still face some significant consequences for missing payments. Here are some ways to stay (or get back) on track.

1. Set up a Budget

It can be hard to manage your finances without a plan. Creating a monthly budget is a helpful way to keep your spending in check and make sure you have enough money for your loan payments. Once you write down everything you’re spending on each month, you may find some easy places to cut back, such as getting rid of streaming services you rarely watch or spending less on takeout and afternoon coffees. Any money you free up can then go towards loan repayment.

2. Increase Cash Flow

Reining in your spending with a budget is a good place to start, but it may not be enough for getting out of debt. Having some extra cash on hand can help manage debt payments and offer some breathing room within your monthly budget.

To boost your income, you might consider taking on more hours at your current job, getting some freelance work, or picking up a side gig (such as food delivery, dog walking, or babysitting). You don’t have to do this forever — just until your student debt is paid off, or at least well under control.

3. Create a Debt Reduction Plan

If you have multiple debts, it’s a good idea to take an inventory of everything you owe and then set up a comprehensive debt reduction plan.

A popular system is the avalanche method, which calls for putting any extra cash toward the debt with the highest interest rate while making minimum payments on other balances. When that debt is paid off, you put your extra money towards the debt with the next-highest interest rate, and so on.

Another option is the snowball method, which focuses on ticking off debts in order of size, starting with the smallest debt balance, while still taking care of minimum payments on other debt.

4. Apply for an Income-Based Repayment Plan

If you have federal student loans, there are four income-driven repayment plans you can apply for to make your monthly payments more manageable. These include:

•   Saving on a Valuable Education Plan (SAVE; replacing Revised Pay As You Earn)

•   Pay As You Earn

•   Income-Based Repayment Plan

•   Income-Contingent Repayment Plan

Monthly payments are a percentage of your discretionary income, usually 10% or 20%. What’s more, all four plans forgive any remaining balance at the end of the 20- or 25-year repayment period. Note that in some situations, you may be required to pay taxes on the forgiven amount, according to IRS rules.

5. Find Another Repayment Plan

Besides income-based repayment, borrowers can explore a variety of other federal repayment plans to help pay off debt. For example, the graduated repayment plan helps recent college grads find their financial footing by setting smaller monthly payments at first before increasing every two years.

Some private lenders also offer a choice of different repayment options.

6. Look Into Forgiveness Programs

The federal government offers student loan forgiveness to borrowers who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as working in a certain profession, having a permanent disability, or after making payments for a certain amount of time on an income-driven repayment plan. Similar programs are available at the state-level across the country, and generally base eligibility on specific professions or financial hardship.

The Rural Iowa Primary Care Loan Repayment Program, for instance, provides up to $200,000 toward repaying eligible student loans for doctors who commit to working five years in designated locations.

The NYS Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program, on the other hand, offers up to 24 months of debt relief to recent graduates in New York who are participating in a federal income-driven repayment plan.

7. Ask About Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Besides health insurance and a 401(k), your employer may provide other benefits, including tuition reimbursement programs, to support and retain their employees.

Often, these programs are focused on annual tuition expenses that employees incur while studying and working concurrently. Still, employers may offer to contribute to student loan payments as well.


💡 Quick Tip: Master’s degree or graduate certificate? Private or federal student loans can smooth the path to either goal.

8. Explore Refinancing Your Student Loans

Student loan refinancing could help you save interest and make your monthly payments easier to manage. Generally, though, refinancing only makes sense if you can qualify for a lower interest rate.

Refinancing involves taking out a new loan with a private lender and using it to pay off your existing federal or private student loans. You can often shop around and “browse rates” without any impact to your credit scores (prequalifying typically involves a soft credit check). Just keep in mind that refinancing federal loans with a private lender means losing access to government protections like income-driven repayment plans, student loan forgiveness programs, and deferment and forbearance.

Also know that lenders typically require your loans to be in good standing before approving a refinance. That means you generally can’t refinance a student loan in default. You can, however, consider refinancing after recovering from a student loan default.

The Takeaway

Although you won’t go to jail for failing to pay your student loans, there are a number of negative consequences, like late fees, a damaged credit score, wage garnishment, and even being taken to court. The current “on ramp” to repayment of federal student loans, however, removes these consequences until September 30, 2024.

Whatever type of student loan you have, you can help the road to repayment go smoothly by setting up a budget that makes room for monthly loan payments, picking a repayment plan that fits your needs and budget, and investigating forgiveness options.

Finding a student loan with a competitive interest rate and flexible repayment terms can help avoid the stress and repercussions of not paying student loans down the line.

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

Do student loans go away after 7 years?

No, student loans won’t disappear after seven years. Negative information about your student loans (such as late payments or defaulting on a loan) will be removed from your credit report after seven years, but the loans themselves will stay on your reports until you pay them off or have them forgiven.

Many states have statutes of limitations of between three and six years to prevent creditors and debt collectors from using legal action to collect on older debts. However, federal student loans don’t have a statute of limitations.

How long before student loans are forgiven?

The Public Service Forgiveness Program requires making the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan (while working full-time for an eligible employer) for student loan forgiveness. With an income-based repayment plan, you need to make payments for 20 to 25 years to have the remaining balance forgiven. State programs may offer more rapid repayment assistance and forgiveness.

Can student loans seize bank accounts?

Yes, but not right away. If you have federal student loans, your wages or bank accounts can be garnished only if you have officially defaulted on your loans (i.e., you haven’t made a payment for at least 270 days). The government does not need a court order or judgment to garnish your wages.

If you default on a private student loan, your creditor must first sue you to obtain a judgment and submit a court order to your employer before your wages can be garnished.

Photo credit: iStock/shadrin_andrey

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 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.

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.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOIS1223001

A merit scholarship is a type of college financial aid that is awarded based on a student’s merits, which might be academic, athletic, artistic, leadership-related, or pertaining to a special interest. A merit scholarship does not take a student’s financial need into consideration.

Read on for a closer look at exactly what a merit scholarship is, the different types of merit scholarships available, and how to get merit aid to help you pay for college.

What Is a Merit Scholarship?

Merit scholarships, also known as merit aid, are a kind of college funding that is not based on financial need but, instead, on a student’s merits or achievements. Merit aid is often given to students that excel in academics, extracurricular activities, athletics, arts leadership, and other areas.

Merit aid is often funded by colleges and universities themselves, and can typically be redeemed for multiple semesters and years. This type of financial aid is often used as a way to lure top performing students to their school. It might be a few thousand dollars or it could cover a student’s entire tuition. Merit scholarships are also offered by organizations, like the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and private companies.


💡 Quick Tip: Fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee SoFi private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

Types of Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships come from different types of institutions and are awarded for a variety of reasons. Here’s a look at the different kinds of merit scholarships that are available.

Colleges and Universities

Many colleges and universities have merit aid awards that are offered to students. Sometimes referred to as institutional aid, merit aid programs vary from school to school. Some schools may consider all students for a merit award without needing an additional application. In some cases, there may be an additional application required. Select merit aid awards may be designed to cover the full cost of tuition, while others will only cover a portion.

Academic Merit Scholarships

Academic merit scholarships award money to students who demonstrate significant academic achievement in high school. Often, academic merit scholarships may consider a student’s grade point average (GPA), standardized test scores, class rank, or other factors.

Depending on the school, you may not need to submit or do anything extra to be awarded a merit-based scholarship. Instead, the school may decide based on your application alone. Academic merit aid is often redeemable for multiple years if you uphold the scholarship qualifications (such as maintaining a certain GPA each semester).

Recommended: How Much Does GPA Matter When Applying to College?

Athletic Merit Scholarships

Like academic merit aid, athletic merit scholarships are typically funded by the college or university. If you’re interested in an athletic scholarship, keep in mind that getting recruited can be a time-intensive process. Depending on the sport you play, you may need a highlight reel or video that shows off your skills. Typically, schools will also want to see your academic records and SAT or ACT scores.

Athletic scholarships may be offered for each year you attend school, provided you meet certain requirements, such as attending a certain number of practices/games each week while also maintaining a certain GPA.

Arts Merit Scholarships

Many liberal arts colleges offer merit scholarships to students who excel in the arts, such as music, acting, painting, drawing, or graphic design. If you have talent in and have been focusing on any area of the arts, you may be able to get merit money by applying for a degree program in the arts at a particular college or university.

Merit Scholarship Options From Organizations

Some nonprofits and community organizations offer their own merit scholarships to standout students. These scholarships have varying requirements but will typically focus on an eligibility requirement that’s important to the organization, such as a student’s leadership qualities, chosen career path, or involvement in community service during high school.

For example:

•   The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers the Richard and Elizabeth Dean Scholarship to students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in American Studies.

•   The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers a scholarship to applicants who are studying at an accredited university and pursuing a career path in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science.

•   The National Association of Flavors and Food-Ingredient Systems (NAFFS) offers an annual scholarship to outstanding food science students.

Private Companies

Another source of merit scholarships is private companies. Companies like Coca-Cola, Burger King, Google, and more have annual scholarships. Like many other scholarship opportunities, the application requirements and eligibility criteria will vary based on the company and/or scholarship. Below are a few examples.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program
is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their ability to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. In 2023, the program provided over 6,750 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $81 million in educational support.

Burger King Scholars

The Burger King Scholars program provides scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $60,000 to high school students who stand out based on their GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service.

Generation Google Scholarship

The Generation Google Scholarship program is designed for students pursuing degrees in computer science. The scholarship is awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; demonstrated leadership; and academic performance. Selected students can receive $10,000 for college.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college scholarships run by the nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). To enter the program, you simply need to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, generally during your junior year, and meet other program entry requirements. There are three types of awards: National Merit Scholarships of $2,500, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored merit scholarships.

Recommended: Finding Free Money for College

How to Apply for a Merit Scholarship

The process for applying to a merit scholarship can vary significantly from scholarship to scholarship. Merit scholarships offered by colleges and universities typically don’t require students to fill out any additional paperwork beyond their application to the school. However, some schools require that students submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible. This allows students to maximize their federal and state need-based financial aid before receiving school awards. It’s a good idea to contact the financial aid department for each school and ask what their merit scholarship process is.

Applying for merit aid from a source other than your school can be more time-consuming and will likely vary depending on the organization offering the award. In addition to an application detailing basic personal information, students may be required to write an essay or personal statement, gather letters of recommendation or go through an interview process.

If you’re interested in applying for a private merit scholarship, check in with the organization directly so you can be sure that you understand exactly what the application requirements are.

Recommended: Grants For College — Find Free Money for Students

What Can Merit Scholarships Pay For?

Frequently, if the merit scholarship is offered by the school, the award will go directly to pay your tuition bills. If there is any money left over after tuition is paid for, it can be used to pay for other educational expenses including room and board, books, or other fees. Each school will have its own procedures for how merit aid is awarded to students, so confirm any questions directly with the financial aid office.

Merit Scholarships and Income Taxes

Generally speaking, merit scholarships are not taxed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to the IRS, scholarships and grants are considered tax-free so long as the following conditions are met:

•   The student is pursuing a degree at an educational institution; and

•   The award money is used to pay for tuition and fees or other expenses related requirements at the educational institution, such as fees, books, and supplies.

There are some situations in which a merit scholarship may be taxed. If a grant or scholarship meets the following criteria, it may be taxable, according to the IRS:

•   The scholarship is used to pay for incidental expenses such as room and board, travel, or optional equipment.

•   The scholarship is awarded as payment for teaching, research, or other services (though there are some exceptions).

If you have any questions about whether or not a scholarship you’ve received is considered taxable income, consider consulting with a tax professional who can provide advice specific to your personal circumstances.

Recommended: Are Scholarships Taxable?

Finding Merit Scholarships

Check in with your college or university to find out if there are any school-specific awards available and determine how to file an application (if an additional application is required). There are numerous online resources and databases that can help you identify merit-based scholarships across the U.S. For students who are pursuing graduate degrees, there are also some scholarships for graduate students.

It can be a good idea to make a running list or spreadsheet of all of the merit-based scholarships that you are interested in, so you can keep the specific due dates and application requirements organized. This can help make the application process feel less overwhelming.

Consider Starting Early

Many merit-based scholarships look for demonstrated excellence over the course of an applicant’s entire four years of high school. Therefore, it could be a good idea to start thinking about what types of merit scholarships you’re interested in applying for as early as possible.

Maintaining Your Scholarship

It is important to note that some merit-based scholarships require the scholarship recipient to maintain a certain GPA and/or require specific campus or community involvement to continue receiving consistent scholarship funding.

If you do decide to apply for a merit-based scholarship, it’s a good idea to be prepared to not only do the hard work to secure the scholarship but also maintain it once you get to campus.

Other Ways to Help Finance College Tuition

If you do not receive any merit aid or enough merit aid to fully cover your college costs, there are still many funding options available to you. Often, the first step for students looking to secure aid is to fill out the FAFSA. Students must fill this out in order to receive any federal aid, including federal grants and scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans.

The federal work-study program sets students up with part-time jobs where they can earn money to put towards their educational costs.

Federal student loans offer low fixed interest rates, flexible repayment options, and possible forgiveness programs. Depending on your level of need, you may qualify for either subsidized or unsubsidized federal student loans. With a subsidized loan (for undergrads only), the federal government pays for any accruing interest on your loans while you’re in school and for six months after you graduate; with an unsubsidized loan, you are responsible for paying all interest that accrues on the loan.

If federal aid and merit-based scholarships aren’t enough to cover the cost of college, you might consider getting a private student loan. These loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Students and their co-signers (if applicable) apply for private student loans as if they were applying for other types of loans, such as auto and home loans.

Private student lenders are able to determine their own term lengths, interest rates, and repayment plans. Because these loans don’t come with the same borrower protections as federal student loans (such as income-based repayment plans and generous forbearance and deferment programs), you generally only want to consider private student loans after you’ve fully tapped federal aid options, including federal student loans.


💡 Quick Tip: It’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of private student loans and federal student loans before committing to them.

The Takeaway

Merit scholarships are awarded to students based on merit alone, which might be academic, athletic, artistic, or in another specialized area. This money typically does not need to be repaid by student recipients. Some sources for merit scholarships include your college or university, nonprofit organizations, private companies, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Other options for college funding include financial aid (which includes need-based grants and federal student loans) and private student loans.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOIS1123018

Pell Grants are grants awarded by the federal government to help students pay for college. While there is no specific income limit for a Pell Grant, students generally must demonstrate “exceptional financial need” to qualify.

Here’s more information about how Pell Grants work, the Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and what it takes to qualify.

What Is a Pell Grant?

A Pell Grant is funding from the U.S. Department of Education awarded to undergraduate students who have a high degree of financial need. The amount students can receive with a Pell Grant typically changes annually. For the 2023-24 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395.

Unlike some other types of need-based financial aid, a federal Pell Grant does not need to be repaid.

Because of the rising college tuition, financial aid like Pell Grants could help make school more affordable for students who qualify.

Pell Grant Eligibility Criteria

To see if you meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA is one of the important financial aid terms to become familiar with. The FAFSA will help a college or university determine whether you qualify for a Pell Grant and if so, how much you may receive. You’ll have to fill out the FAFSA every year you attend school.

You Pell Grant eligibility will also depend on:

•  Student Aid Index (SAI) Formerly called Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your SAI is a number your school uses to determine the amount of financial aid you qualify for. Your SAI is calculated using a formula that may include your family’s income and assets and the size of your family.

•  Cost of attendance (COA) This is what it will cost for your schooling for the year. Your COA includes tuition, room, board, fees, books, and supplies for your college or particular degree program.

•  Whether you’re attending school full-time or part-time

In addition to all of the above, other Pell Grant eligibility requirements include:

U.S. Citizen or Eligible Noncitizen

To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must be a U.S. citizen or a certain type of noncitizen. An eligible noncitizen includes the following individuals:

•  U.S. nationals

•  U.S. permanent residents with a Permanent Resident Card, Resident Alien Card, or Alien Registration Receipt Card

•  People with T nonimmigrant status (they have a T-visa or their parent has one)

•  Battered immigrant-qualified aliens

•  Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau

Check with your school’s financial aid office to determine if you qualify as an eligible noncitizen.

High School Diploma or Equivalent

To qualify for Pell Grant eligibility, you must be an undergraduate college student. Those who have already earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree are ineligible. However, in certain cases, students who are in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program may qualify for a Pell Grant.

Enrollment Status

Your eligibility for a Pell Grant depends on your college enrollment status and whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.

Pell Grants are prorated for part-time students and depend on the number of enrolled credits they plan to take.

No Defaulted Federal Student Loans

If you’ve defaulted on a federal student loan, you’ll be unable to qualify for a Pell Grant until you get out of default. You can get out of default by fully repaying the loan, rehabilitating the loan, or consolidating it.

To rehabilitate a loan, you’ll need to make nine monthly payments on the defaulted loan within 20 days of the due date for 10 consecutive months. With consolidation, you consolidate your defaulted loan into a Direct Consolidation Loan and agree to pay the new loan on an income-driven repayment plan or you must make three consecutive on-time payments in full on the old loan before you consolidate it.

Recommended: I Didn’t Get Enough Financial Aid: Now What?

Selective Service Registration

To receive money for financial aid, male students used to have to sign up for the Selective Service. However, because of the FAFSA Simplification Act passed by Congress in late 2020, male students no longer have to sign up for Selective Service registration as a prerequisite for financial aid.

However, almost all males between 18 and 25 must register with Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. If they don’t, they may face a felony charge, a fine of up to $250,000, and jail time of up to five years.

Sexual Offense

The FAFSA Simplification Act also restored Pell Grant eligibility to confined or incarcerated individuals. They must enroll in an eligible prison education program (PEP) to get a Pell Grant.

Individuals convicted of a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant. However, starting July 1, 2023, those who are subject to an involuntary civil commitment for a sexual offense may qualify for a Pell Grant.

Income Limits

There are no Pell Grant eligibility income limits. Federal Pell Grant eligibility is based on SAI, not income.

Age Limit

Nor are there age limits on Pell Grants. Older adult students can apply for a Pell Grant by filling out the FAFSA form and following the requirements for the school they plan to attend.

Time Limit

There is a time limit for a Pell Grant, however. You can receive a Pell Grant for 12 terms, which is roughly six years, and no more.

Pell Grant Income Eligibility Chart

As mentioned, the Pell Grant is not based on income. Instead, it’s based on your SAI and college cost of attendance. You can get an estimated amount of the grant you might receive by checking the Pell Grant eligibility income chart at studentaid.gov.

Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility

By law, you are limited to six years of Pell Grant funding over your lifetime.

Other Ways to Fund a College Education

Besides qualifying for Pell Grant eligibility, there are a variety of options for paying for your college education. These include:

•  Scholarships: Scholarships are merit-based aid that you don’t have to pay back. You can find scholarships through your college or university, your local community, and certain organizations you or your parents might belong to.

•  Grants: Like scholarships, grants for college usually don’t need to be repaid. They can come from your federal or state government, your college, or a private or nonprofit organization.

•  Student loans: A student loan is a type of financial aid you use to borrow money and then repay it later with interest. There are federal student loans, which come from the federal government, and private student loans from private lenders. Comparing student loans can help you decide the best type of loan for your needs.

If you take out student loans, and you’d like to reduce your payments or get more favorable terms after graduation, student loan refinancing is an option to explore. When you refinance, you replace your old loans with a new loan that ideally has a lower interest rate or better terms that might help you save money.

While borrowers with good credit may find it easier to qualify for refinancing and get a lower rate, there are even options for bad credit refinancing that borrowers with poor credit could explore.

While student loan refinancing has benefits, it’s important to know that refinancing federal student loans makes them ineligible for federal protections and programs like income-driven repayment plans. If you may need access to these programs, refinancing might not be the best option for you.

The Takeaway

A Pell Grant can help cover some of the cost of college for those who qualify, and the money awarded doesn’t have to be repaid. Pell Grant eligibility is based on your SAI and your college’s cost of attendance. Find out if you qualify by filling out the FAFSA.

Another potential way to save money on what you owe for your college education is to refinance your student loans, which might help you get a lower interest rate. When you refinance a student loan with SoFi, you’ll find low fixed or variable rates, flexible terms, and no fees. And you can learn if you prequalify in just two minutes.

Photo credit: iStock/Courtney Hale
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.

SOSL1223001

Nearly two-thirds of college graduates leave school with debt, which means many couples have to manage outstanding student loans after they get married. If you and your spouse each have multiple student loans, you could potentially end up with a large number of loans to manage in one household. That might make the idea of consolidating student loans with your spouse appealing. So, can you do it? And, if so, is it a good idea?

Yes — and maybe.

The federal government no longer offers spousal consolidation of federal student loans. However, you may be able to combine your federal or private loans by refinancing with a private lender. Whether or not that’s a wise move will depend on a number of factors, including the types of loans you have and your interest rates.

Here’s a look at options available for consolidating your loans as a couple, plus other ways to make student loan payments more manageable after marriage.

Consolidating Federal Loans

Consolidating is the process of combining your loans so you only have to make one payment and keep track of one due date, rather than several. Individual borrowers can consolidate their federal student loans through the federal government.

When you consolidate federal loans, the government pays them off and replaces them with a Direct Consolidation Loan. Your new fixed interest rate will be the weighted average of your previous rates, rounded up to the next one-eighth of 1%.

Previously, married federal student loan borrowers could consolidate their loans together through a joint consolidation loan. However, the government ended that program in 2006 and no longer offers federal loan borrowers a way to consolidate student debt with a spouse.

Currently, the only way to consolidate federal student loans with a spouse is through refinancing with a private lender. This involves taking out a new, larger student loan to pay off all of your existing loans. The lender will base your new loan’s interest rate on your combined income and creditworthiness, and both of you will be listed as primary borrowers on the loan.

It’s important to note that consolidating in this way will convert those federal loans into private loans, which removes all federal benefits and protections, such as income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.


💡 Quick Tip: Get flexible terms and competitive rates when you refinance your student loan with SoFi.

Refinancing Student Loans With Your Spouse as a Cosigner

Another way to commingle student loan repayment responsibility is to apply for refinancing with your spouse as a cosigner (or vice versa). While your loans won’t be consolidated together if you’re approved, you’ll share ownership of the loan with your spouse. This could be a good idea if you would not be able to qualify for a refinancing on your own or could qualify for a better rate if your spouse serves as a cosigner, due to their added income and/or good credit.

An advantage of cosigning versus joint consolidation is that some lenders allow you to eventually remove a cosigner from a loan, which could be useful should you ever part ways. Joint refinancing, on the other hand, generally doesn’t have an “out” clause.

Recommended: Student Loan Consolidation vs Refinancing

How to Combine Student Loans With Your Spouse

If you’re interested in combining student loans with your spouse, here’s a look at the steps involved in a joint refinance.

1.   Find a lender. You’ll need to find a lender that offers joint refinancing (not all do). Ideally, you’ll want to shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders to make sure you find the best deal. Browsing around and receiving prequalified rates won’t affect your credit, since companies will do a “soft” credit check.

2.   Apply for the loan. Once you find a lender you want to work with, you’ll need to choose which loans you want to consolidate (you don’t have to include every loan you have) and officially apply for the loan. Both you and your spouse will need to supply personal and financial information.

3.   Review your documents and sign. Once approved, it’s a good idea to carefully review all the documents you receive and check the fine print before signing anything. Confirm the loan terms you were approved for match the ones you applied for.

4.   Keep paying your individual loans until the refinance is complete. When you refinance a loan, your new lender must then pay off your old lender. It may take a little while for that process to finalize. In the meantime, it’s important for you and your spouse to continue making your payments on your individual loans until you’ve received notice from your new lender that the debt transfer is complete.

Recommended: Pros and Cons of Refinancing Student Loans

Advantages of Consolidating Student Loans With Your Spouse

Combining your student loans with your spouse’s through refinancing comes with certain advantages. Here are some to consider:

•  Simplified repayment Rather than juggling multiple student loan payments and due dates, you and your spouse will only have one payment to make.

•  A potentially lower rate If your spouse has better credit or a higher income than you, refinancing with your spouse may allow you to qualify for a lower interest rate than you’d get on your own. Together, you could potentially save money.

•  You could lower your payment You may be able to lower your monthly payment by getting a lower interest rate and keeping the same repayment term. You can also lower your payment by extending your loan term. (Note: You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.)

•  Fosters teamwork When you combine student loans with your spouse, there’s no longer separate debt. You have one joint goal you’re working towards as a team.

Recommended: Making Important Money Decisions in Marriage

Disadvantages of Consolidating Student Loans With Your Spouse

Although consolidating student loans with your spouse can seem appealing, there are some significant drawbacks to keep in mind:

•  Few lenders offer it Only a small number of lenders offer spousal student loan consolidation. With few options to choose from, you may have trouble getting approved or finding a competitive interest rate.

•  Loss of federal protections If you or your spouse have federal student loans and you refinance them, they become private student loans. You’ll lose federal loan benefits and protections, including the ability to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan and access to federal forbearance or deferment options.

•  Divorce could be messy When you refinance your student loans with your spouse, you are taking on a new loan together. If you end up divorcing, you’ll still be legally obligated for the combined debt and you’ll have to work out payment terms with your former spouse as part of the divorce agreement.

•  You might not lower your rate In most cases, refinancing only makes sense if you can get a lower interest rate. This is especially true if you have federal loans because you give up many protections by refinancing.

Other Ways to Tackle Student Debt as a Couple

A joint refinance isn’t the only way to manage your combined student debt load. Here are some other tips for how to manage student debt as a married couple.

•  Be honest — with yourself and your spouse Having a high student loan balance might feel overwhelming, but avoiding your debt or hiding it from your spouse can affect your relationship. You can start by getting acquainted with exactly how much you each owe, your interest rates, and the loan terms.

•  Know your repayment options If you have federal loans, it can be helpful to read up on the different plans available for student loan repayment and the pros and cons of each. If you’re having trouble making payments, you can look into income-driven repayment plans or other federal loan forgiveness programs. Speak to your loan servicer(s) if you’re concerned with your ability to repay your total loans as a couple.

•  Consider consolidating separately If your or your spouse has multiple federal student loans, consolidating with a Direct Consolidation Loan can help you better manage the loans you have in your name. If you have loans other than Direct Loans, it can also give you access to additional repayment options. Federal consolidation won’t lower your rate, however. It could also extend your loan term, which would increase your overall costs.

•  Look into refinancing separately If you (or your spouse) has higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans, refinancing could help you get a lower rate, a lower payment, or both. Keep in mind that refinancing federal student loans with a private lender means giving up federal benefits. And, if you opt for a longer loan term, you could end up spending more over the life of the loan.

💡 Quick Tip: It might be beneficial to look for a refinancing lender that offers extras. SoFi members, for instance, can qualify for rate discounts and have access to financial advisors, networking events, and more — at no extra cost.

Figuring Out the Financial Path that’s Right for You

While you and your partner can’t jointly refinance your student loans with the federal government, you may be able to find a private lender that offers a spouse consolidation loan. Other ways to manage student loan repayment after marriage include: listing all of your loans and coming up with a repayment strategy together, re-evaluating your payments plans, and looking into consolidating or refinancing your loans separately.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

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.

SOSL1223014