Straight talk on paying for college.
Quick reads on aid, loans, and the stuff nobody explains at orientation.
Student Loan Debt Just Hit $1.86 Trillion, So Why Did Last Month's Report Say $1.65 Trillion?
Two Federal Reserve reports gave two different student debt totals this month. Here is why they differ and what actually matters for your family.
This week
Three short reads
Sep 9, 2026
The Princeton Review Just Named Its "Best Financial Aid" Colleges for 2027. Here Is What the Ranking Actually Measures
Sep 8, 2026
A New Bill Would Auto-Enroll Struggling Borrowers in Income-Driven Repayment. Here Is What It Means Now.
Sep 6, 2026
The Education Department Is Appealing the Ruling That Struck Down PSLF's Employer Rule. Here Is What It Means for Your Family.
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Recent posts
Sep 10
2026
Student Loan Debt Just Hit $1.86 Trillion, So Why Did Last Month's Report Say $1.65 Trillion?
Two Federal Reserve reports gave two different student debt totals this month. Here is why they differ and what actually matters for your family.
Sep 10 2026 · 13 min read
Sep 9
2026
The Princeton Review Just Named Its "Best Financial Aid" Colleges for 2027. Here Is What the Ranking Actually Measures
Princeton Review named its 2027 "Best Financial Aid" colleges. Here is what that ranking actually measures, and the real numbers to check before trusting it.
Sep 9 2026 · 13 min read
Sep 8
2026
A New Bill Would Auto-Enroll Struggling Borrowers in Income-Driven Repayment. Here Is What It Means Now.
A new bill, the SIMPLE Act, would auto-enroll delinquent borrowers into income-driven repayment by 2028. Here is what it means now, and what to do today.
Sep 8 2026 · 12 min read
Sep 6
2026
The Education Department Is Appealing the Ruling That Struck Down PSLF's Employer Rule. Here Is What It Means for Your Family.
Two federal courts blocked PSLF's employer eligibility rule in June 2026. The Department appealed on August 27. Nothing has changed for borrowers yet, but here is what to watch.
Sep 6 2026 · 12 min read
Sep 4
2026
Student Loan Delinquencies Just Fell Sharply. Here Is What the New Fed Data Actually Shows
New York Fed data shows student loan delinquencies fell sharply in Q2 2026. Reporting quirks and a seasonal dip explain much of the drop, and the real test is still ahead.
Sep 4 2026 · 12 min read
Sep 3
2026
The SAVE Plan Lawsuit Will Not Save Your September 29 Deadline. Here Is What Will.
A federal lawsuit over the SAVE plan is unlikely to change the September 29 deadline. Here is what borrowers should actually do while they wait for a ruling.
Sep 3 2026 · 13 min read
Sep 2
2026
MOHELA Sent False Default Notices to Borrowers. Here Is What to Do
MOHELA sent false default notices to some borrowers this August, and senators want answers by September 10, 2026. Here is what to do if you received one.
Sep 2 2026 · 13 min read
Sep 2
2026
How the Treasury Auction Set Your 2026-27 Student Loan Rate
The May 12 Treasury auction set the interest rate on every new federal student loan for 2026-27. Rates rose to 6.52%, 8.07%, and 9.07%. Here is what that means.
Sep 2 2026 · 9 min read
Sep 1
2026
You Applied for a Repayment Plan This Summer. Here Is Why You Should Double-Check It.
This summer's IDR and RAP applications had calculation errors, and the form quietly bundles a consent that turns on automatic recertification.
Sep 1 2026 · 11 min read
Aug 31
2026
Your PSLF Payment Count Just Changed. Here Is How to Fix It.
The Education Department is removing wrongly credited forbearance and Extended-plan months from PSLF trackers. Here is how to check your count and file a fix.
Aug 31 2026 · 11 min read
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