What You Need to Know About Student Loans

Learn how to borrow smarter with these tips.

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Higher Learning, Higher Bills - Real talk: College tuition is crazy expensive nowadays. And for 75 percent of us, they’re the only way we can afford school. But before you sign on the dotted line, here’s what you need to know about student loans and how to borrow with caution. By Kellee Terrell (Photo: Alex Slobodkin / Getty Images)

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Higher Learning, Higher Bills

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Not All Loans Are Created Equal

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Fill Out an FAFSA

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Read the Fine Print

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Don’t Take More Than You Need

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Subsidized Loans

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Unsubsidized Loans

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Direct Plus Loans

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The Interest Is Not a Game

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What’s a Grace Period?

Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit - The Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit provides an average tax cut of about $800. The president would like Congress to expand the credit to workers who do not have children, including non-custodial parents. The administration believes this will "provide a more meaningful work incentive." (Photo: Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images)

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What's Deferment?

And Forbearance? - For people who do not qualify for deferment, you can apply for forbearance. If approved, you may be able to stop paying your loans for up to one year. Your interest is still accruing over this time, however.(Photo: Khuong Hoang/Getty Images)

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And Forbearance?

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Either Way You Gotta Pay Up

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Should I Consolidate?