Please note: Although the College Money Matters Team has found the information on the sites listed here to be useful, we do not endorse these or any sites from any organization. Also, we have not verified the content. Please be aware that there are always assumptions and flaws in any statistics and information that are gathered by any researcher.
Fees and Interest Rates on Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS Loans interest rates tend to be relatively high compared to some other college loans. The government also charges an origination fee to start the loan. You can stay up to date with latest interest rates and origination fee charges at this site.
Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents
Published by the US Government, this guidebook explains how Parent PLUS Loans work, including how interest is charged and details on deferment or forbearance.
Financial Aid Comparison Tool (US Govt.)
Designed by the Consumer Financial Protection Board, this calculator lets you enter specific information from your financial aid packages so you can estimate what each of your college choices may cost. A quick guideline: keep your borrowing to an absolute minimum by using only government loans.
Try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Comparison Tool
Compare Financial Aid Packages (uAspire)
Uaspire is a nonprofit organization that created this tool to help college-bound students and their families compare financial aid packages and estimate what a college may really cost.
Try the uAspire Comparison Tool
Simple Student Loan Calculator
This calculator will help you estimate what a loan of any amount will cost you over time. But remember, each year that you're in college can mean another loan – and a different interest rate, too. So do the math for one year and four years.
Try The Student Loan Calculator
Detailed Student Loan Calculator
This link takes you to a calculator on FinAid.org, a site run by recognized FAFSA expert, Mark Kantrowitz. Please note: the information you provide on the FinAid site may be used for marketing purposes.
How credit cards work
Learn how credit cards work from someone who is not trying to sell you one.