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Taking, and doing well on, the Advanced Placement (AP) exam gives you the opportunity to save time and money by earning college credit, advanced placement, or both. It can also help you stand out to colleges and give you an edge in getting accepted to your dream school.

No matter what score you get, the experience of studying for and taking an AP exam can help you build skills you’ll need to succeed in college.

The question is, when should you start studying for AP exams? Generally, students begin studying for AP Exams some time between January and March. This gives you enough time to cover all the material, take AP prep courses (if desired), take practice tests, and develop an AP test strategy. Read on for a closer look at when and how to study for AP Exams.

Creating a Study Timeline

One smart way to prepare for your AP Exam is to create a timeline leading up to the test. Giving yourself a schedule you can (hopefully) stick to might help keep you organized while studying.

Here are some ideas to help you prepare for your upcoming AP Exams — all arranged in a timeline leading up to your AP tests.

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

January (16 Weeks Out)

To first figure out how to study for AP Exams, you can evaluate how your current AP classes are going. One place to start is by checking your grades from last semester and, if you are struggling with a certain topic, contacting your teacher to see what help is available.

You might want to schedule some extra one-on-one time or join (or even start) a specific class study group. Of course, your grade isn’t necessarily an indication of the score you will get on your AP Exam. But if your teacher has been using AP practice questions on tests, that could still give you a sense of your early performance — and it may even boost your confidence going into the test if you’re acing those practice answers.

This is also a good time to start thinking about which AP Exams you want to take in May. Just because you are in an AP class doesn’t mean you have to take the AP exam in that subject. Consider which exams might help put you on a path toward college and career success.

The test schedule is always published well in advance of the exam days, so you may want to check when your exams will take place and block those dates out in your calendar now. If you have exams scheduled for the same date and time, this is a good time to ask your AP coordinator or teacher about taking one during an approved late-testing period .

January is when students with disabilities must request any accommodations during the exams. If you will need testing accommodation, you’d want to approach your AP teachers or AP coordinator ahead of the deadline.

February (12 Weeks Out)

A productive next step is to learn the format for each AP exam you plan to take. Paying attention to the structure of class tests might give you some insight into the types of questions you can expect.

There are a total of 38 AP Exams, and each has its own requirements. Most will be two to three hours long with a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions, according to the College Board.

This can also be a good time to take your first practice exam. Since you’re past the midpoint of the year, you’ll have covered enough material in class that you will be able to answer a decent amount of practice questions and problems without getting frustrated. After reviewing your practice exam, you can come up with a study plan to go over your notes and materials for a few hours every week.

Recommended: Importance of Junior Year of High School

March (8 Weeks Out)

AP Exams cost $98 each, so this month can be a great time to start budgeting for how many exams you plan to take and how you will pay for them. Even if your parents are paying for your exams, you’re responsible for making sure they understand the cost and when to submit payment to your school.

The College Board, which oversees the AP, offers a $36 fee reduction per AP Exam if you have significant financial need. Some states offer additional funding to reduce your cost even more. Check with your AP coordinator to find out what support may be available to you.

This is also the month when you will want to really delve into your AP study regimen and continue taking practice tests.


💡 Quick Tip: Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.

April (Four Weeks Out)

By April, you will probably be completely registered for all of your AP Exams. If you haven’t gotten a link from your school guidance counselor, you may want to check in with a school administrator. This is when you really should start to study in earnest, if you haven’t done so already.

Now’s the time to start taking more practice exams, in addition to your regular study and review. You can look up past free response questions (for exams that have them), real student responses, their scores, as well as scoring guidelines so you can see why a real exam taker got the score they did.

Once you’re four weeks out, it might be more efficient to study just the areas you feel less practiced and confident in, rather than trying to cram in all of the information from the past year. The practice exams and questions can help you sort out which topics just need a simple refresh, and which ones you might need to actually relearn.

Recommended: The ACT and SAT: Which Test is Right for You?

May (It’s Time!)

You can kick May off by taking another practice exam and focusing on the results compared to when you first began reviewing all those weeks ago. The focus is now on prepping for test day, which might include checking to make sure you have your test dates and times marked in your calendar and that you are using the correct, approved calculator for math and science exams.

On test day, you can start your day with a good breakfast. If you are taking multiple tests in one day, you may also want to pack some nutritious snacks. Hopefully all of the studying from the last few months will pay off when you sit down to take the AP Exam and you feel prepared.

Recommended: Do Your SAT Scores Really Matter for College?

AP Study Hacks and Habits

The habits you start honing as you study for AP Exams can not only help you do well on your exam, but also prepare you for college, when you’ll likely be managing a larger workload and juggling multiple assignments and deadlines. Here are some study hacks that can help now — and later.

•   Build in study breaks. Even if you feel you need to spend several hours studying in one sitting, it’s a good idea to work in a short break every hour, even if it’s just a five-minute walk around the block. This can help keep your mind sharp and your energy from sagging.

•   Incentivize yourself. You might hold off watching your favorite TV show or playing your favorite video game until after you have finished studying for the day. This delayed gratification could help keep you motivated to study efficiently.

•   Consolidate class notes at the end of every week. When you are reviewing your notes from your AP classes, try organizing the information as it relates to the sections on the exam. By grouping your notes into related “chunks,” you might find that it’s easier to remember (or refer back to) key points as you get further away from the lesson. An added bonus: Instead of having a year’s worth of scattered information to review as you start taking practice AP Exams, you’ll have clear, organized information with your note summaries.

Planning for Your Future

The College Board says that nearly all colleges and universities in the U.S. offer credit, advanced placement, or both based on your AP scores, typically with an AP score of 3 or higher.

In some cases, students are able to reduce their time in school by one, or even two, semesters, meaning that your AP Exams could end up saving you a lot of money in college. Of course, you will still need to find a way to pay for college, whether it is three, four, or more years.

Fortunately there are a number of ways to fund your college education, including college savings accounts, financial aid (which includes scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans), as well as 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.

Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

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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.

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When you’re in college, you don’t have a lot of control over the interest rates on your student loans. With federal loans, the U.S. Department of Education sets the rate each year for all borrowers. And if you get private student loans, a limited credit history can make it hard for young people to score favorable terms.

But once you graduate, there are a few things you can try to save money on interest. Here are a few tips that may lower your interest rate on student loans.

Refinancing Your Student Loans

Scoring discounts with your current servicer can help you get a lower student loan interest rate, but there is another option to consider. Depending on your financial profile, you may qualify for a lower student loan interest rate than what you’re currently paying with student loan refinancing.

There are multiple advantages to refinancing student loans. You can potentially lower your interest rate by bundling several loans (federal and private) into one new loan. And if you shorten your loan term, you may be able to pay off your student loans much faster and pay less in interest over the life of your loan.

Student loan refinancing is ideal for borrowers with high-interest student loans who have good credit scores and know they won’t use any of the federal loan benefits, like student loan forgiveness. (All federal loan benefits, including income-based repayment, will be lost if you refinance.)

Here are a few things that can help you improve your chances of getting a lower student loan interest rate with refinancing:

•   A high credit score: Lenders typically have a minimum credit score requirement, so the higher your score, the better your chances of getting a low rate usually are.

•   A low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: Your income is also an important factor that lenders consider, especially as it relates to your overall debt burden. If a smaller portion of your monthly income goes toward debt payments, it shows you may have more income to dedicate to your new loan’s payments.

•   A co-signer: Even if your credit and income situation is in good shape, having a co-signer with great credit and a solid income might help your case.

•   A variable rate: Some student loan refinance lenders offer both variable and fixed interest rates. Variable interest rates may start out lower but increase over time with market fluctuations. Fixed rates, stay the same over the life of the loan. If you’re planning on paying off your student loans quickly, a variable rate might save you money.

•   The right lender: Each lender has its own criteria for setting interest rates, so it’s important to shop around to find the best lender for your needs. Some lenders, including SoFi, even allow you to view rate offers before you officially apply.


💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.

Consolidate Your Student Loans

Have multiple student loans floating around that you’d love to combine into one? Consider loan consolidation, where you’ll merge all your student loans into one easy monthly payment with a single interest rate. Here’s the rub, though: Consolidation alone does not necessarily get you a lower student loan interest rate. It just offers you one payment instead of multiple.

When consolidating federal student loans, you can use a Direct Consolidation Loan. Your new interest rate is simply the weighted average of all your current student loan interest rates. The weighted average might be a smidge higher than the interest rates you were paying previously. Often folks utilize consolidation to stretch out the life of their student loan, which lowers your payments but may increase the amount you owe over time.

Even though consolidation itself is not a direct way to get a better rate on your student loans, it can be helpful if you’re having trouble keeping track of your monthly payments. Consolidation may also be useful if you want to merge non-direct federal loans (like Perkins loans) with direct loans, in order to qualify for income-driven repayment and/or loan forgiveness programs.

By the way, the term “consolidating” is often used interchangeably with “refinancing,” but they technically mean different things. When refinancing student loans, you also happen to be consolidating, but it is done with the goal of achieving a more favorable interest rate on your student loans.

Recommended: The Basics of the Student Loans

Set Up Automatic Payments

Many student loan servicers — both federal and private — offer an interest rate discount if you set up autopay on your account. Depending on the servicer, you can lower your student loan interest rate. SoFi, for example, offers a 0.25% autopay discount.

The reason servicers offer this discount is that by setting up automatic payments, you’re less likely to miss payments and default on the loan.

In addition to getting a lower student loan interest rate, you’ll also (hopefully!) have peace of mind knowing that you won’t accidentally miss a payment. If you feel you’re putting a little too much money toward student loans, check with your loan servicer to see whether they offer an autopay discount.


💡 Quick Tip: Refinancing could be a great choice for working graduates who have higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans.

Get a Loyalty Discount

In addition to an autopay discount, some private student loan companies also offer a loyalty discount when you have another eligible account with them.

If you’re already a member with SoFi, for instance, you receive an interest rate discount of 0.125% on all new loans.

Other lenders may require that you have an eligible checking or savings account with them to qualify for the bonus, and you may even get a bigger discount if you make your monthly payments from that account.

To get an idea of how a change in interest rate would impact your loan, take advantage of a student loan refinance calculator to see what your new payments could be.

Choose the Right Repayment Plan

If you don’t choose a specific repayment path, you’re typically opted into the Standard Repayment Plan. In this plan, your payments are generally based on a 10-year timeline. But this one-size-fits-all plan is not the best option for everyone.

The federal government also offers four income-driven repayment (IDR) plans — Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) — where the monthly payments are based on your income and family size. While choosing one of these plans may lower your monthly payments, it will likely not alleviate how much interest you pay over time. In fact, you might even pay significantly more.

After 20 or 25 years, depending on the IDR plan, any remaining balance is forgiven. However, the amount forgiven may be considered taxable income by the IRS. So even though your student loan debt goes away, prepare yourself for a big tax bill that year.

Another money-saving repayment option for federal student loans is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. If you work in a qualifying public service job — for the government or a nonprofit organization — you might be eligible to have your student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

You can confirm whether your work qualifies here. You’ll want to submit an Employment Certification as soon as possible to be sure that you’re on track to qualify.

Recommended: 4 Student Loan Repayment Options, and How to Choose

Lower Your Student Loan Interest Rate

There are several ways to get a lower student loan interest rate. It can be as easy as calling your servicer to find out what discounts are available. You can also choose a new repayment plan, consolidate your federal loans, or refinance federal and private loans. With refinancing, you may secure a lower interest rate if you have a high credit score, low debt-to-income ratio, a cosigner, or a variable interest rate. Just know that when refinancing federal student loans, borrowers lose federal protections and forgiveness.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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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.

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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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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.

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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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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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A frequently offered nugget of financial wisdom is to use unexpected financial windfalls to pay down your debt. But what happens when paying down your loans comes with a prepayment penalty?

The best way to avoid prepayment fees, of course, is to choose a personal loan or mortgage without prepayment penalties. If you’re stuck with a prepayment penalty on your loan, however, all is not lost. There are ways to avoid paying loan prepayment penalties.

What Is a Prepayment Penalty?

A prepayment penalty is when a lender charges you a fee for paying off your loan before the end of the loan term. It can be frustrating that a lender would charge you for paying off a loan too early because it’s natural to think a lender would appreciate being repaid as quickly as possible.

In theory, a lender would appreciate getting repaid quickly. But in reality, it’s not that simple. Lenders make most of their profit from interest, so if you pay off your loan early, the lender is possibly losing out on the interest payments that they were anticipating. Charging a prepayment penalty is one way a lender may recoup their financial loss if you pay off your loan early.

Lenders might calculate the prepayment fee based on the loan’s principal or how much interest remains when you pay off the loan. The penalty could also be a fixed amount as stated in the loan agreement.


💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. SoFi personal loans come with no-fee options, and no surprises.

Can You Pay Off a Loan Early?

Say you took out a $5,000 personal loan three years ago. You’ve been paying it off for three years, and you have two more years before the loan term ends. Recently you received a financial windfall and you want to use that money to pay off your personal loan early.

Can you pay off a personal loan early without paying a prepayment penalty? It depends on your lender. Some lenders offer personal loans without prepayment penalties, but some don’t. A mortgage prepayment penalty is more common than a personal loan prepayment penalty.

Recommended: When to Consider Paying off Your Mortgage Early

Differences in Prepayment Penalties

The best way to figure out how much a prepayment penalty would be is to check a loan’s terms before you accept them. Lenders have to be upfront about how much the prepayment penalty will be, and they’re required by law to disclose that information before you take on the loan.

Personal Loan Prepayment Penalty

If you take out a $6,000 personal loan to turn your guest room into a pet portrait studio and agree to pay your lender back $125 per month for five years, the term of that loan is five years. Although your loan term says it can’t take you more than five years to pay it off, some lenders also require that you don’t pay it off in less than five years.

The lender makes money off the monthly interest you pay on your loan, and if you pay off your loan early, the lender doesn’t make as much money. Loan prepayment penalties allow the lender to recoup the money they lose when you pay your loan off early.

Mortgage Prepayment Penalty

When it comes to mortgages, things get a little trickier. For loans that originated after 2014, there are restrictions on when a lender can impose prepayment penalties. If you took out a mortgage before 2014, however, you may be subject to a mortgage prepayment penalty. If you’re not sure if your mortgage has a prepayment penalty, check your origination paperwork or call your lender.

Checking for a Prepayment Clause

Lenders disclose whether or not they charge a prepayment penalty in the loan documents. It might be in the fine print, but the prepayment clause is there. If you’re considering paying off any type of loan early, check your loan’s terms and conditions to determine whether or not you’ll have to pay a prepayment penalty.

How Are Prepayment Penalties Calculated?

The cost of a prepayment penalty can vary widely depending on the amount of the loan and how your lender calculates the penalty. Lenders have different ways to determine how much of a prepayment penalty to charge.

If your loan has a prepayment penalty, figuring out exactly what the fee will be can help you determine whether paying the penalty will outweigh the benefits of paying your loan off early. Here are three different ways the prepayment penalty fee might be calculated:

1. Interest costs. If your loan charges a prepayment penalty based on interest, the lender is basing the fee on the interest you would have paid over the full term of the loan. Using the previous example, if you have a $6,000 loan with a five-year term and want to pay the remaining balance of the loan after only four years, the lender may charge you 12 months’ worth of interest as a penalty.

2. Percentage of balance. Some lenders use a percentage of the amount left on the loan to determine the penalty fee. This is a common way to calculate a mortgage prepayment penalty fee. For example, if you bought a house for $500,000 and have already paid down half the mortgage, but want to pay off the remaining balance in a lump sum before the full term of your loan is up. In this case, your lender might require that you pay a percentage of the remaining $250,000 as a penalty.

3. Flat fee. Some lenders simply have a flat fee as a prepayment penalty. This means that no matter how early you pay back your loan, the amount you’ll have to pay will always be the prepayment penalty amount that’s disclosed in the loan agreement.

Recommended: Debt Payoff Guide

Avoiding a Prepayment Penalty

Trying to avoid prepayment penalties can seem like an exercise in futility, but it is possible. The easiest way to avoid them is to take out a loan or mortgage without prepayment penalties. If that’s not possible, you may still have options.

If you already have a personal loan that has a prepayment penalty, and you want to pay your loan off early, talk to your lender. You may be offered an opportunity to pay off your loan closer to the final due date and sidestep the penalty. Or you might find that even if you pay off the loan early and incur a penalty, it might be less than the interest you would have paid over the remaining term of the loan.

You can also take a look at your loan origination paperwork to see if it allows for a partial payoff without penalty. If it does, you might be able to prepay a portion of your loan each year, which allows you to get out of debt sooner without requiring you to pay a penalty fee.

For example, some mortgages allow payments of up to 25% of the purchase price once a year, without charging a prepayment penalty. This means that while you might not be able to pay off your full mortgage, you could pay up to 25% of the purchase price each year without triggering a penalty.

Some lenders shift their prepayment penalty terms over the life of your loan. This means that as you get closer to the end of your original loan term, you might face lower prepayment penalty fees or no fees at all. If that’s the case, it might make sense to wait a year or two until the prepayment penalties are less or no longer apply.

When it comes to your money, you don’t want to make any assumptions. You still need to do your due diligence by asking potential lenders if they have a prepayment penalty. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) requires lenders to provide documentation of any loan fees they charge, including a prepayment penalty. Also, under the TILA, consumers have the right to cancel a loan agreement within three days of closing on the loan without the lender taking any adverse action against them.


💡 Quick Tip: Generally, the larger the personal loan, the bigger the risk for the lender — and the higher the interest rate. So one way to lower your interest rate is to try downsizing your loan amount.

The Takeaway

When taking on debt, paying as little as possible on top of the principal amount borrowed is a good general rule of thumb. Consumers generally seek the lowest interest rates they can qualify for, a loan term that they feel comfortable with, and a loan that doesn’t add fees to their debt load.

A prepayment penalty is one fee that can be avoided by asking questions of the lender and looking at the loan documents with a discerning eye.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2023 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.

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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.

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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