Student loans

Get help finding the best student loan, a smart repayment plan or your quickest path to loan forgiveness — and, find options if you're having trouble.

Student loans tools and guides

Income-driven repayment news and other higher ed updates

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Student loans 101

Student loan reviews

Federal Student Loans Review: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Federal direct student loans don’t require credit or income to apply. They are the most widely used college lending option.

Federal PLUS Loan Review

Federal PLUS loans let graduate students and parent borrowers fill tuition gaps not covered by other types of financial aid.

College Ave Reviews: Private Student Loans and Student Loan Refinancing

College Ave offers private student loans with multiple repayment options and lets borrowers refinance at any repayment term between five and 20 years.

SoFi Reviews: Student Loan Refinancing and Private Student Loans

SoFi is a leader in the student loan refinancing space. It also offers private student loans for graduate students and undergraduates.

Explore student loan providers

The student debt crisis

Learn the history behind the rising cost of college and how 43 million Americans landed with student loan debt.


Explore student loan refinancing

Student loans FAQ

The latest from NerdWallet's Education team