Borrowing Decisions
💳 Section 3 — Federal Student Loans & Borrowing Strategy
College borrowing shouldn’t be guesswork.
This section explains:
- Subsidized vs unsubsidized
- PLUS loans
- Parent PLUS risks
- Private loans
- Interest accrual while in school
- Tools for deciding what to borrow
- When to return excess loans
Explore:
The Smart Borrowing Strategy for All Four Years
How Federal Student Loans Work (Step-by-Step)
How Interest Accrues in School
Parent PLUS Loan Warning Signs
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Don’t Overborrow for College – Align Your Loans With Your Future Career & Ability to Repay
1. Introduction Borrowing for college is often the largest financial decision a young adult will make before age 25. And under the new 2026 federal student loan system—where borrowing caps are tighter and program classifications matter more than ever—the margin for error is even smaller. The goal isn’t to avoid loans entirely. It’s to ensure […]
