Federal vs. private student loans: What’s the difference?
Here’s how to choose which student loan is best for your needs.
About the author
Brittany Howard joined the Bankrate team in 2024. Before specializing in loans, she wrote on a range of personal finance topics, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and credit scores. She enjoys breaking down complex financial topics into everyday language.
Brittany’s goal is to help people make more informed financial decisions. She understands how bewildering personal finance can feel and is passionate about writing articles that offer accessible, actionable insights.
When Brittany’s not writing, you’ll find her photographing birds in her local parks or watching period dramas with her cats.
Brittany wants you to know
Financial decisions are one of the greatest sources of anxiety for most Americans. You can reduce your anxiety, build your confidence, and make better choices by improving your financial literacy. Managing money is a learned skill, and anyone can get better at it.
Your financial situation is unique. It’s important to make financial choices that work with where you are now and help you get to where you want to be.
— Brittany Howard
Here’s how to choose which student loan is best for your needs.
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