Pick a school type, see the full picture. No jargon, no guesswork — just what college costs and what your loan payments will look like after graduation.
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See the full picture — what you’re paying for and how you’re paying it back.
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Understanding the basics of student loans and why every dollar matters.
You borrow money for school and pay it back after you graduate, with interest. Federal loans have fixed rates set by the government. Interest means you pay back more than you borrowed — that’s the cost of borrowing.
Every $1,000/year in scholarships you earn is $4,000 less you borrow for a 4-year degree. With interest, that saves you over $5,000 in total repayment. Even small scholarships add up fast.
If you save $100/month starting now, you’ll have $2,400 in two years — that’s $2,400 less in loans and over $3,200 less in total repayment. Every dollar saved today is worth more than a dollar borrowed tomorrow.