Nov
30
2023
What is Need-Based Financial Aid?

What Is Need-Based Financial Aid?

By | Going to College, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on What Is Need-Based Financial Aid?

Paying for college can be expensive, but there are several types of financial aid available to students. Some aid awards are determined based on your family’s financial situation. Known as need-based financial aid, amounts are awarded based on several factors, and in some cases, it may not need to be repaid.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll qualify for need-based aid, how much you’ll receive, or whether you need to pay it back, here’s what you need to know.

Defining Need-Based Financial Aid

To put it simply, need-based financial aid is money to help students pay for the costs of attending college that’s awarded based on their financial situation.

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for federal or state aid or aid from the institution you attend. Typically, need-based aid is determined based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA®.

Most college students take advantage of what’s offered in their federal financial aid package, which may include the following types of need-based federal financial aid.


💡 Quick Tip: Often, the main goal of refinancing is to lower the interest rate on your student loans — federal and/or private — by taking out one loan with a new rate to replace your existing loans. Refinancing makes sense if you qualify for a lower rate and you don’t plan to use federal repayment programs or protections.

Direct Subsidized Student Loans

The federal government will subsidize (or cover) any interest that accrues on Direct Subsidized Loans for undergraduate students while they are enrolled in school at least half-time and during the six-month grace period after graduation.

After the grace period, interest will start to accrue. This is unlike Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which begin accruing interest as soon as they are disbursed.

There is a limit to how much a student can borrow in federal loans and the amount they borrow cannot exceed their financial need. The maximum amount first-year undergraduate students can borrow cannot exceed $5,500 (or $9,500 for independent students), $3,500 of which is in subsidized loans. The maximum amount you can borrow increases each year you’re enrolled.

Pell Grants

Pell Grants are for undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional financial need.They depend on factors such as your expected family contribution, your enrollment status, and how much your schooling will cost.

The maximum amount may vary — it’s $7,395 for the 2023-24 academic year. It may also be possible for students to receive up to 150% of their scheduled award, though qualification requirements will vary.

To be eligible for the Pell Grant, students will need to fill out the FAFSA each year that they are enrolled in undergraduate studies.

Work-Study Programs

The federal work-study program offers part-time jobs for undergraduate or graduate students based on their financial needs. The goal is to provide the opportunity for students to earn money towards education-related expenses and one that’s related to their field of study. There may be jobs both on- and off-campus and the program is administered by participating schools.

The type of job you get and how much you earn will be influenced by factors like when you apply and how much funding your school has. At a minimum, program participants will be paid at least the current federal minimum wage.

If you are awarded work-study as a part of your federal aid package, you can’t earn an amount that’s more than what was awarded.

Recommended: Important FAFSA Deadlines to Know

What’s the Difference Between Need-Based Financial Aid and Ones Based on Merit?

Whereas need-based financial aid is based on the student and their family’s financial circumstances, merit-based aid doesn’t consider finances. Instead, this type of financial aid looks at things like standardized test scores or grade point average, or GPA. In some cases, financial aid is based on other merits such as your class rank.

Some scholarships are based on your class rank. Usually, scholarships are awarded based on merit, though there are plenty based on financial need. Before applying for any financial aid, it’s important to look at the eligibility requirements so you know whether you’ll qualify.

Recommended: How to Get Merit Aid for College

Do I Need to Pay Back Need-Based Financial Aid?

Even though the point of aid based on financial need is to help you cover college expenses you otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford, you may have to pay some of it back. For instance, the Pell Grant or other types of grants don’t need to be repaid. Scholarships are another type of aid that recipients are not required to repay. If you participate in the work-study program, the money you’ve earned is also yours.

However, Direct Subsidized Loans will need to be repaid. You won’t, however, need to pay any interest while you’re enrolled at least half-time since the government will cover that. Direct Unsubsidized loans (which aren’t awarded based on need) will also need to be repaid and borrowers will be responsible for the full amount of accrued interest.

In some cases, you may not need to pay back the entire amount if you qualify for student loan forgiveness. There are several types of forgiveness with varying eligibility requirements that depend on factors such as your career path.

For instance, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF program, will forgive the outstanding balance on a Direct Loan if you made 120 monthly qualifying payments. These payments need to be paid while you’re working full-time for a qualifying employer and under a qualifying repayment plan.

To see whether you qualify for a forgiveness program, it may be helpful to speak with a loan officer.

Should I Apply for Need-Based Financial Aid?

There’s nothing wrong with seeing what you may qualify for. Filling out the FAFSA will allow you to determine how much federal aid you qualify for. Some schools will also use the FAFSA to determine additional aid awards.

The FAFSA will require information about you and your family’s financial situation to help determine how much aid you’ll receive. There is also the CSS Profile, which some colleges may use to determine financial aid awards. To fill out the CSS Profile there is a small fee.

That being said, you may not receive enough financial aid even if you qualify. For instance, Pell Grants are typically given on a first-come, first-served basis. It may help to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. That way, you may be able to find out sooner what you may qualify for. You can submit your FAFSA as soon as October 1 for the following school year.

The Takeaway

Even if you’re not sure if you qualify for need-based aid from the federal government, you may be able to qualify for aid at the state, local or college level. There is also merit-based aid in the form of scholarships and some grants.

Many organizations also award grants and scholarships for specific demographics and those pursuing certain fields. It’s far better to accept free money through grants and scholarships before taking out any loans.

If you do end up borrowing money to pay for college, you may want to consider refinancing your student loans. Doing so can help qualifying borrowers reduce their interest rate, which could lower the amount paid over the life of the loan. Note that refinancing federal loans eliminates them from borrower protections and benefits like PSLF and income-driven repayment plans.

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.


With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

Photo credit: iStock/MicroStockHub

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.

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.

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 Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


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Top 10 Most Popular Scholarships for Women

10 Popular Scholarships for Women

By | Going to College, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on 10 Popular Scholarships for Women

Scholarships are free money that can help fund an undergraduate or graduate degree. There are plenty of scholarships for women, including some with a purpose to encourage more females to pursue careers where they’re considered underrepresented, as well as scholarships to help them attend college.

Spending some time researching and applying for scholarships you may be eligible to receive could help you pay for college tuition.

What Types of Scholarships Are There for Women?

There are plenty of scholarships available for women, including scholarships for undergraduate students and scholarships for graduate students.

Scholarships may be need-based or merit-based awards. Each one will have specific qualifying and application requirements. Scholarships, essentially, can be like finding free money for college.

For instance, need-based scholarships generally require applicants to exhibit financial need. Merit-based scholarships may be determined based on skills, abilities, or a student’s GPA, test scores, or the type of field they are looking to pursue.

Some scholarships may also be location-based, such as those for residents of certain states or for specific schools.

There are even some unclaimed scholarships you may be eligible for.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? You could save thousands.

Are There Scholarships for Women in STEM?

There are many scholarships for women who are pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 29% of all STEM workers are women, with math, engineering and computer-related jobs being the least represented.

Government organizations, industry associations, and even technology companies offer industry-specific scholarships (we’ll talk more about some of them below). For instance, companies like Google or associations such as the Society for Women Engineers (SWE) offer scholarships for women.

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

Popular Scholarships For Women

Below are 10 scholarships available exclusively to women that could help you avoid taking on too much student loan debt:

Associated Women for Pepperdine (AWP) Scholarship

Scholarship amount: $5,000

Application Deadline: February 15

The AWP is one of the largest women’s groups awarding scholarships for female Christian students. There are several awards up for grabs, and scholarships can be renewed. To qualify, applicants need to be students at Pepperdine University, current and active members of the Church of Christ, submit a letter of recommendation from a leader of the Church of Christ, and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) application.

Gertrude M. Cox Scholarship

Scholarship amount: $1,000

Application Deadline: February 23

The Cox Scholarship aims to encourage women to pursue professions related to the statistics field. There are two scholarships, one for a female early on in their graduate career, and the other for a woman at a more advanced level. Applicants need to be permanent residents or citizens in the U.S. or Canada and be admitted to a full-time graduate statistics program of the year the scholarship is awarded.

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

Scholarship amount: Varies

Application Deadline: February 17 (Note that the 2023-2024 application cycle for this scholarship is closed. Applications for 2024 will open in late 2023.)

This scholarship is for women age 35 or older who are considered low-income and enrolling into a not-for-profit accredited educational institution. Women can pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or technical or vocational education. To apply, applicants need to demonstrate financial need and answer questions based on their academic and career goals.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Selected Professions Fellowships

Scholarship amount: $20,000

Application Deadline: December 1

The AAUW awards multiple scholarships, and the Selected Professions Fellowships is one of them.

Women may apply if they intend on pursuing full-time studies at an accredited U.S. institution in a field where women have had historically low enrollment. For instance, scholarships are awarded for women pursuing degrees in STEM and engineering.

Eligibility criteria include women who can prove they have shown promise of high academic excellence and distinction.

Recommended: 7 Tips to Lower Your Student Loan Payments

American Indian Services (AIS) Scholarship

Scholarship amount: $500-$2,000

Application Deadline: February 1 to November 1 (Depending on when the applicant’s classes start)

The AIS scholarship aims to help Native American students enrolling in an accredited institution pursue higher education. Awards are given on a quarterly basis, though you’ll only need to apply once per year.

Eligibility requirements include being at least one-quarter of an enrolled member, or descendant of an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized Native American Tribe, enrolled at least half-time, and completed the FAFSA. This award is currently only available to undergraduate students.

Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting Scholarships

Scholarship amount: Varies

Application Deadline: Varies (most end April 30)

The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting offers multiple scholarship opportunities for women pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degrees in accounting. Applicants may apply to more than one scholarship excluding the Women in Transition and Women in Need awards, of which students can only apply to one.

Eligibility criteria varies, though most will require applicants to provide transcripts, demonstrate financial need, and prove they’re committed to working in the accounting field.

Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

Scholarship amount: $5,000

Application Deadline: April to June

Women who are pursuing a business program in qualifying fields and living or studying in an area where Zonta International is active can apply for this scholarship. There are 37 awards for $5,000. Applicants also need to be enrolled in the final year of a Master’s program or at least the second year of their undergraduate degree.

American Nephrology Nurses Association Career Mobility Scholarships

Scholarship amount: $3,000 to $5,000

Application Deadline: November 30

The American Nephrology Nurses Association, or ANNA, offers a few scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 designed to support qualifying members who are pursuing an advanced or BSN degree in nursing. Qualifying criteria includes being a current full ANNA member for at least two years, enrolled or accepted into a qualifying nursing program, and a 250-word essay outlining the potential impact of the scholarship.

Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship amount: $1,500

Application Deadline: The next application cycle will open on January 1, 2024

Self-identifying Chicana or Latina college students living in qualifying California counties can apply for a $1,500 scholarship. They need to be students attending an accredited community college, college, or university full-time and meet certain academic requirements. Plus, they’ll need to attend the Chicana Latina Foundation (CLF) Leadership Institute and CLF Annual Awards Dinner if selected for a scholarship.

To apply for this scholarship, applicants will be required to submit two letters of recommendation, one of which needs to be from a counselor or professor.

Undergraduate students need to submit unofficial or official transcripts from their current degrees and one letter of recommendation. Graduate students will also need to submit a resume or CV in addition to providing a transcript and letter of recommendation.

The Women In Aerospace Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship amount: $2,000-$5,000

Application Deadline: June 13

The Women In Aerospace Foundation aims to promote careers in the aerospace field — this scholarship program is one of the ways it does so. The organization awards five merit-based awards to women who are rising juniors and seniors working for a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science.

To qualify, applicants need to be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university, plan to enroll the next academic year and complete a minimum of 2.5 academic years of full-time college. Applicants also need to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

The Takeaway

Applying for one of the many scholarships for women can be a smart tactic if you’re trying to figure out how to pay for your college education. In addition to the scholarships listed here, there are a variety of other opportunities — many scholarships go unclaimed because they don’t receive enough applications. It doesn’t hurt to submit an application since the worst they’ll say is “no”, and the benefits are well worth it.

There are other ways to help cover the cost of college, as well, and you’ll likely want to explore your options to see what makes the most sense for your situation.

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.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

Photo credit: iStock/valentinrussanov

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.

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.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


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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30
2023
How to Work Abroad After College_780x440:

How to Work Abroad After College

By | Life & Career, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on How to Work Abroad After College

College graduates who have been bit by the travel bug but don’t have the funds to see the world might still have the opportunity to travel by working abroad after college. Living and working in a new country may have its challenges, but the experience may also transform graduates in ways that are likely to be impressive to future employers.

The Pros and Cons of Working Abroad

Though it can be an enjoyable experience, working abroad can also have challenges. Considering both the pros and cons is recommended before making this life-changing decision.

Pro: Making Money While Traveling

Working abroad allows graduates to start their career while also having the opportunity to travel. This can be a popular post-graduation choice for students who want to travel but don’t have the funds. Moving to a new country generally makes it easier to truly explore and get to know a country better.

Traveling to nearby countries may be easy, as well. Instead of visiting a single country during a one-week vacation, traveling workers might be able to experience multiple countries and cultures.

Recommended: Ways to Be a Frugal Traveler

Pro: Learning the Language

Living abroad gives people a great opportunity to learn a new language or sharpen their skills in one they already speak. Every situation, from ordering breakfast to figuring out transportation, will give recent grads an opportunity to improve their language skills. The ability to speak more than one language might also open more doors in the job market. Being multilingual has become an increasingly desired skill, and learning a language while abroad could pay off in the future.

Con: Culture Shock

Unfamiliar surroundings. A different culture. Moving to a new country means making adjustments. People will communicate differently, eat differently, work differently. Every part of life will be new, which can be both exciting and stressful. Adjustment to life in a new place may be experienced in a range of stages, beginning with excitement and enthusiasm, with maybe some frustration in the middle, to feeling at home in new surroundings and building relationships.

Con: Language Barrier

Dealing with a language barrier can be stressful and scary. Not only can a language barrier make daily activities difficult, it can also make building relationships slow-going. This can feel isolating for people who don’t understand the local language.

Finding Jobs

Finding an international job isn’t all that different from finding one here in the states. Recent grads might consider looking on well-known job search sites or those specific to finding opportunities in other countries. Some overseas job opportunities might be found on websites for international humanitarian organizations, travel magazines, or even the United Nations.

Requirements to Work Abroad

Getting a passport or travel visa and an employment visa are important parts of preparing to work in a foreign country. Most countries grant specific work visas to international workers, but the requirements and processes for getting the visa will vary by country.

It’s also important to know whether or not fluency in the language is required. People who are not fluent in a language other than English and do not want to learn before moving may want to consider countries where English is the official language.

Employment Abroad

Graduates who like to think long term may want to consider applying for jobs with global companies that have positions in multiple countries, including the United States. This may open up opportunities to move back to the U.S. in the future.

One popular choice for working abroad is teaching English. A teaching degree may or may not be required, so make sure to check the requirements in the country you are considering.

Another popular option is to look for seasonal work, such as jobs in the tourism industry. This can include working at a ski resort, a hostel, or bartending at a local restaurant. People who enjoy caring for children might be interested in working as an au pair, which typically includes room and board in addition to a salary.

Other Post-Graduation Decisions

Finding a job isn’t the only task that begins after graduation. Once a student graduates, drops below half-time enrollment, or withdraws from school, the task of paying back student loans begins. Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Federal Family Education Loan borrowers have a six-month grace period before they’re required to start making payments. Students who took out a Perkins loan have a nine-month grace period.

Refinancing student loans into one new loan may offer borrowers a lower interest rate or different terms than their existing loans. Both federal and private student loans can be refinanced, but when federal student loans are refinanced by a private lender, the borrower loses federal benefits, such as income-driven repayment plans, loan forgiveness programs, deferment, and forbearance.

The Takeaway

Whether your future employment is in the U.S. or in a foreign country, there are many options to consider. Pros of working abroad after college include gaining new work and life experiences, learning a new language, and making money while traveling. Cons of working abroad include experiencing culture shock and language barriers, and possibly missing out on events back at home.

However, no matter where your future employment takes you, if you have a student loan, repayment will follow.

If refinancing a student loan is something you’re considering, SoFi has options that may work for your situation. Saving money is simple with SoFi’s online application process, low fixed or variable rates, and flexible terms.

See if you prequalify for student loan refinancing with SoFi.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


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.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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.

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2023
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When Would You Need a Student Loan Payoff Letter?

By | Debt Payoff, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on When Would You Need a Student Loan Payoff Letter?
Editor's Note: For the latest developments regarding federal student loan debt repayment, check out our student debt guide.

A student loan payoff letter may be needed to get a mortgage, refinance your student loans, or acquire other forms of debt. While the name implies you’ve paid off the loan, a student loan payoff letter actually just shows the details of your student loan — including the payoff amount and monthly dues.

Some people may want or need to take out more than one loan at the same time. For those who took out student loans for college, a student loan payoff letter may come into play. In this guide, we’ll run through what these letters are and some of the commonly navigated twists in understanding their use in managing loans.

What Is a Student Loan Payoff Letter?

Despite what it sounds like, a student loan payoff letter is not a document proving a student loan has been paid in full. Rather, it’s a document generated by the loan servicer stating the current loan balance, monthly payments, and other account information.

Note that a loan payoff letter is not the same thing as a monthly statement. It’s a tool for other lending institutions to weigh how a borrower manages debt on an existing loan that also forecasts future interest costs based on when the loan is due to be repaid.

There is generally a time limit placed on payoff letters — a “good-through date” — after which the amount of interest due on the loan would change.

A student loan payoff letter may be needed when the borrower is still paying off student debt and also applying for a mortgage, refinancing an existing loan, or when they’re planning to pay off the loan.

The payoff letter will play a part in determining an applicant’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which many lenders look at to determine whether the applicant can afford potential future payments on a loan.

A high student loan balance, in relation to income, could limit a person’s loan options. So, it pays to pay your debt down as much as you can.

Getting a Student Loan Payoff Letter

A loan payoff letter can be requested from the lender at any stage of a loan’s term, whether the borrower hasn’t made an initial payment or they’re close to making their last. Obtaining a loan payoff letter can be done by contacting the lender and simply requesting it.

Lenders’ websites may have an option for requesting these letters via an online form. If that option isn’t available, the borrower may need to call the lender’s customer service line to request the letter.

There may be a fee charged for requesting a payoff letter. If there is one, it should be explained in the loan agreement. The lender’s customer service representative should also be able to verify whether there is a fee for the letter.

Managing Student Loans

An important factor in determining a student loan payoff strategy is figuring out when the first payment is due, information which the loan servicer will provide.

According to the Federal Student Aid Office, “For most federal student loans, there is a set period of time after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment before you must begin making payments.”

This period of time, known as a grace period, could last anywhere from six to nine months depending on which type of federal student loan a borrower has. It may help to think ahead about how best to take advantage of the grace period in advance.

While it might be tempting to view the grace period as a time to sink extra money into things you want or need, borrowers may want to consider instead saving up for when student loan payments will start coming due.

Interest on Direct Subsidized Loans is paid by the U.S. Department of Education while the borrower is in school at least half-time, during the grace period, or a deferment period—a factor that might make paying the loan off, in the long run, a little less burdensome.

Borrowers of Direct Unsubsidized Loans are responsible for paying interest during the entire term of the loan. Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed to the borrower.

Strategies for paying off student loans quickly may include looking into ways to make money outside your day job, asking if there is a student loan repayment program at your company, and paying down other debt during the grace period.

Selecting the Right Repayment Plan

Several student loan repayment options are available for eligible borrowers of federal student loans depending on the type of loan.

Standard Repayment Plan

For Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), the loan servicer will automatically place borrowers on the Standard Repayment Plan unless they choose a different repayment plan.

The Standard Repayment Plan gives the borrower up to 10 years (between 10 and 30 years for consolidation loans) to repay, with fixed monthly payments of at least $50 during that time. This repayment plan may not be the best option for borrowers who are considering seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Graduated Repayment Plan

Eligible Direct Loan and FFEL borrowers who expect their income to increase gradually over time may opt for a Graduated Repayment Plan. This plan has the same 10-year term (between 10 and 30 years for consolidation loans) that the Standard Repayment Plan does, but the payment amount differs.

Monthly payments start low and increase every two years, will always be at least the amount of accrued interest since the last payment, and will be limited to no more than three times the amount of any previous payment.

Extended Repayment Plan

Borrowers who need to make lower monthly payments over an extended time may want to consider the Extended Repayment Plan, which allows for a 25-year repayment term. This plan is for eligible Direct or FFEL borrowers who have outstanding loan balances of $30,000 or more on each loan.

Monthly payments on this plan can be either fixed or graduated and are generally lower than those made under the Standard or Graduated plans. However, you should expect to pay more in interest over the life of the loan.

Income-Driven Repayment Plans

There are a few options for borrowers who might be having trouble making their payments. Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans allow eligible borrowers to responsibly manage their debt while remaining on track to pay it off.

The plans take into account a borrower’s income, discretionary income, family size, and/or eligible federal student loan balance. Borrowers under an IDR must recertify their income and family size each year or risk losing their eligibility for the plan.

The Takeaway

A student loan payoff letter details the specifics of your student loan, including the amount you owe, your monthly payments, and the payoff amount. A student loan payoff letter may be needed to secure a mortgage, refinance your existing debt, or acquire another form of debt, such as a personal loan.

Choosing to refinance student loans may be an option for some borrowers looking to lower their monthly payment or reduce the total amount they pay in interest. If you choose to lower your monthly payment, you’ll often have to extend your loan term, which will result in paying more in interest over the life of the loan. If you shorten your loan term and reduce your interest rate, you most likely will save money in interest.

Keep in mind that refinancing federal student loans into a private student loan means forfeiting all federal loan benefits, including income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness. Borrowers are encouraged to look at all options before making a decision.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


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.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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.

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2023
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Pros & Cons of Postbaccalaureate Programs

By | Debt Payoff, Student Loans, student_loan | Comments Off on Pros & Cons of Postbaccalaureate Programs

Often seen as a stepping stone between an undergraduate and graduate program, postbaccalaureate programs can help prepare students for a new or different area of study. But, more than just a leg up, a postbaccalaureate program can be a major financial commitment. The average cost of a postbacc program is $20,000 to $40,000.

So, just what is this program, and how can it benefit students? Read on to learn the benefits, drawbacks, and financing behind a postbaccalaureate degree.

What Is a Postbaccalaureate Degree?

A postbaccalaureate degree or program is typically one or two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Students may enroll in a postbaccalaureate program for a variety of reasons, including:

•   Completing a second bachelor’s degree.

•   Working towards a graduate certificate.

•   Taking prerequisite courses required for admission into a graduate program.

A postbaccalaureate program isn’t a graduate degree, but students may enroll in the one to two-year programs before heading off to a grad program.

Applying to a postbaccalaureate program will differ from school to school, but students can generally expect to submit their transcripts, as well as test scores, recommendations, and an essay.

Sometimes called post-bacc, these programs are popular among college graduates who hope to enroll in medical school. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, postbaccalaureate medical programs focus on science, biology, and other subjects required before med school. They are used to enhance an applicant’s application and hopefully increase their chances of getting accepted.

Here’s why post-bacc programs might help a student hoping to apply to medical school:

•   It offers the appropriate prerequisites. If a student wasn’t on a pre-med track in undergrad, but they decide they want to pursue a graduate program in medicine, a post-bacc program makes it easier to take all the required courses before applying to med school.

•   It gives them an opportunity to improve their grades. If a pre-med student graduated with a low GPA, they might elect to retake some of the courses in a post-bacc program to boost their numbers. It gives them not only a chance to review material they might’ve missed, but also a way to enhance their application with better grades.

•   It can help strengthen an application. If a student is reapplying to medical school, they might first attend a post-bacc program to get an edge up on the competition.

•   It can be a supporting supplement for students with weaker MCAT scores. If a student has taken the MCAT multiple times with borderline scores, getting strong marks in a post-bacc program can be a helpful ace up their sleeve in the application. It can show a commitment to the area of study, despite low test scores.

Going to a post-bacc program might be the right fit for some students looking to enter a medical graduate program, but is by no means a requirement.

Pros of a Postbaccalaureate Program

A postbaccalaureate program can offer many benefits for the right student. Here are some of the pros they can expect on their way to a graduate program:

•   Flexible studying. Postbaccalaureate students have a lot of flexibility in the program. They can usually choose to study full-time or part-time, based on their availability and schedule. Full-time programs are typically a year long and part-time programs take closer to two years.

•   Linkage programs. Many postbaccalaureate programs are housed within a medical school. While participating in the school’s postbaccalaureate program won’t guarantee admission in its medical program, it could give a student a leg up in the application process.

•   MCAT prep. Some, but not all, postbaccalaureate programs include MCAT tutoring and prep in admission and pricing. For some students, this can be a great opportunity to raise test scores.

•   Networking and experience. In addition to courses, some postbaccalaureate programs will also offer speciality programming and networking opportunities for students. This can be an opportunity to learn more about medical specialties from events and network with fellow students.

•   An introduction, without the long term commitment. A postbaccalaureate program can give students a taste of what medical school might be like. However, instead of studying for years, it could be just a couple months or two years at most. If a student decides med school just isn’t for them during a postbaccalaureate program, it’s less time and money spent.

Cons of a Postbaccalaureate

While a post-bacc program will offer many benefits, these programs do have their fair share of drawbacks. Consider these cons before attending a postbaccalaureate program:

•   Not all programs offer federal aid. Postbaccalaureate programs can be pricey, and when it comes to financial aid, some students will be on their own to find a way to pay. Some, but not all, post-bacc programs will have federal aid packages for students to consider. Because a post-bacc is considered a second degree, prospective students may need to rely on private student loans to pay for their program.

•   They could be overkill. While postbaccalaureates can be a great refresher on subjects for students, the demanding curriculum could be too demanding academically and financially. In some cases, students might choose simply to take a few prerequisite courses at a community college instead of paying for a post-bacc program.

•   Losing out on experience. Postbaccalaureate programs offer their own benefits and experience, but enrolling could mean missing out on real-world experiences or work experiences.

•   Post-bacc programs aren’t all built the same. Students shouldn’t expect the same experience from every post-bacc program. Different schools will offer different focuses and programs. Some are more geared towards enhancing a student’s academic record, while others are actively seeking to engage economically disadvantaged or underrepresented students.

•   It doesn’t guarantee admission. Post-bacc medical programs can give students a leg up when it comes to boosting their GPAs and MCAT prep, but they are not a guarantee that a student will gain admission to medical school. If a student is considering enrolling in a postbaccalaureate program solely for admissions purposes, they might want to rethink their motivation.

The Takeaway

Postbaccalaureate programs are second-degree programs but do not result in a graduate degree. They are often used as a stepping stone for people who are making a career transition or are interested in pursuing higher education, such as medical school.

The choice to enroll in a post-bacc program is deeply personal, just like how a student decides to pay for school. Whether or not a person chooses to head straight into a postbaccalaureate program immediately after undergrad or not, keeping an eye on their student loans is important.

Depending on a student’s loan structure, students may be expected to make loan payments while enrolled in a post-bacc program.

Some students may find that refinancing student loan debt can help them reduce their interest rates. Refinancing federal student loans eliminates them from federal benefits, such as student loan forgiveness and deferment, so it’s not an appropriate option for everyone.

For students interested in refinancing their current student loans, SoFi offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and no hidden fees. It takes just two minutes to see if you prequalify and your credit score will not be impacted during the prequalification stage.

See if you prequalify for student loan refinancing with SoFi.

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