Federal vs Private Student Loans in 2026: Which to Borrow First (and Why Order Matters)
Federal and private student loans are not interchangeable. Borrow them in the wrong order...
Jun 12, 2026
Adam Girsault
Admissions Expert & Education Writer
Adam Girsault is an admissions expert and education writer with over a decade of experience advising students on U.S. and international university applications. He has helped students gain admission to Ivy League schools, top European business schools (HEC Paris, INSEAD, Bocconi), and competitive programs in Asia. Adam writes extensively on admissions strategy, scholarships, financial aid, and how to craft compelling application essays.
Ivy League AdmissionsInternational UniversitiesScholarshipsApplication EssaysFinancial Aid
in LinkedIn2239 articles published
Articles by Adam Girsault
Subsidized vs Unsubsidized Student Loans: The Difference Is Free Money
Subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans look almost identical on your aid letter. One qu...
Jun 11, 2026
The Student Loan Grace Period: What It Buys You, and the Trap Hiding Inside It
Your federal student loans give you a 6-month grace period after graduation. Here's what i...
Jun 10, 2026
Best US Cities for International Students 2026: Beyond NYC and Boston
Best US cities for international students 2026: beyond NYC and Boston. Pittsburgh, Atlanta...
Jun 9, 2026
How to Apply to College on a Budget: Fee Waivers, Free Tools, Smart Picks
How to apply to college on a budget: fee waivers, free tools, smart application list const...
Jun 8, 2026
Common App Essay Prompts 2026-2027: Reading Between the Lines
Common App essay prompts 2026-2027 decoded: what each prompt actually asks for, what works...
Jun 7, 2026
Financial Aid Appeal Letter Template: What Actually Works in 2026
Financial aid appeal letter template that actually works in 2026: three-paragraph structur...
Jun 7, 2026
What First-Gen Students Actually Need to Know Before Day One
First-gen college students: what to actually do in the first six weeks. Office hours, fina...
Jun 5, 2026
Student Loan Deferment vs Forbearance: Which Hurts Your Wallet Less?
Deferment vs forbearance on student loans: the difference can cost you thousands. Eligibil...
Jun 3, 2026
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Still Available in 2026 (PSLF, IDR Forgiveness & More)
SAVE is gone, but several real federal student loan forgiveness programs still exist in 20...
Jun 3, 2026
Pell Grant Just Got a Big Overhaul: 4 Changes Hitting in 2026-27 You Need to Know
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act overhauled Pell Grant eligibility for 2026-27. Vocational p...
Jun 2, 2026
Are You Grandfathered Into the Old Federal Loan Limits? Here's How the OBBBA Exception Actually Works
Current borrowers may keep the old federal student loan limits for up to 3 years under the...
Jun 1, 2026
Private Student Loans in 2026-27: Why You'll Probably Need One (and How to Pick the Right Lender)
Federal loan caps and the death of Grad PLUS mean way more students will need private loan...
May 31, 2026
Grad PLUS Loans Are Gone Starting July 1: How to Actually Pay for Grad School Now
The federal Grad PLUS program ends July 1, 2026. Here's what's replacing it, how much you...
May 28, 2026
The $257,500 Student Loan Cap Hits July 1, 2026: What It Actually Changes for You
Starting July 1, 2026, federal student loans get a $257,500 lifetime cap under the One Big...
May 28, 2026
Which Universities Raised Tuition the Most for 2026-27 (and What It Means for Your Aid Math)
Tuition is up across the board for 2026-27. We rounded up confirmed sticker price increase...
May 28, 2026
The Ivy League Test-Optional Era Is Over: What Class of 2030 Applicants Need to Know
Princeton was the last holdout. Every Ivy except Columbia now requires the SAT or ACT for...
May 21, 2026
Parent PLUS vs Private Student Loans (2026-27): When Each One Actually Makes Sense
Parent PLUS loans hit 9.07% for 2026-27, plus a 4.228% origination fee. For parents with s...
May 21, 2026
New Federal Student Loan Rates for 2026-27: What You'll Actually Pay (and Whether to Refinance)
Federal student loan rates went up again for 2026-27. Undergrad direct loans are now 6.52%...
May 18, 2026
Should I Refinance My Student Loans? Here's How to Actually Decide (2026)
Not sure if refinancing your student loans is worth it? Here's a breakdown of when it save...
May 14, 2026
Fixed vs. Variable Rate Student Loans: Which One Wins in 2026?
Fixed or variable rate for your student loans? One gives you peace of mind, the other coul...
May 13, 2026
Student Loan Interest Rates Explained: What You're Actually Paying (2026)
Federal vs. private rates, how they're calculated, what drives them up or down, and the on...
May 7, 2026
How Many Credits to Graduate College in 2026?
Most US colleges require 120 credits to graduate. Here's how to count yours, avoid waste,...
Apr 30, 2026
Highest-Paying Associate Degrees in 2026
Looking for good money without the PhD? These associate degrees have solid earning potenti...
Apr 30, 2026