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The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) is a nonprofit focused on research and policy work. TICAS does not offer legal or other advice to individual borrowers regarding their student loans. We regret that we cannot meet this need, and have provided the resources below in an effort to provide general information that addresses common questions. If you need advice or information, please see the information listed below.

Federal Student Loan Terms for 2024-25

August 2024

Summarizes the interest rates, loan limits, and other terms for federal student loans issued from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
View the fact sheet
Coronavirus Update — Resources for Student Loan Borrowers

Last Updated August 9, 2021

Tools and advice for students and borrowers impacted by the Coronavirus.
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What to Know About the Latest Free College Bills

June 23, 2021

This spring, lawmakers introduced three major legislative proposals to improve college affordability. These bills — the America’s College Promise Act, the Debt-Free College Act, and the College for All Act — differ in scope and design but would all create a new partnership between the federal government and states to better fund public higher education and waive some portion of college costs for millions of students.
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What to Know: New FAFSA Changes

December 2020

In December 2020, Congress passed a massive legislative package that included provisions to overhaul the financial aid application process and expand Pell Grant eligibility. We explain the provisions here.
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New Law Makes Changes to Student Loan Repayment: What Borrowers Need to Know

December 19, 2019

President Trump signed into law the FUTURE Act, an important piece of bipartisan legislation that will make it easier for students and families to apply for federal financial aid.
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The Top 10 Student Loan Tips for Recent Graduates
A list of the top ten things a recent graduate should know about their student loans and the repayment process.
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Tips for Using “Net Price Calculators”
Since October 29, 2011, almost all U.S. colleges and universities are required to have “net price calculators” on their websites. These calculators can make it much easier to start figuring out which colleges you might be able to afford. They provide early, individualized estimates of what a specific college will cost after grants and scholarships: the net price is what you might have to earn, save, or borrow to go to that school. These new tools can help you move beyond often scary “sticker prices” and discover that your dream school may be more (or less) affordable than you thought – before you have to decide where to apply.
Read the tips

Before Borrowing

Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education
You can also call 1-800-4FED-AID

Paying for College
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s online tool to help students and parents make informed financial decisions about paying for college.

Student Loans: Avoiding Deceptive Offers
The Federal Trade Commission’s fact sheet on ways to recognize and avoid deceptive student loan marketing.

In Repayment

Student Loan Borrower Assistance
This site from the nonprofit National Consumer Law Center provides valuable information about repayment options, avoiding and getting out of default, dealing with collections agencies, and much more.

Repay Student Debt
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s step-by-step guide to help borrowers explore their repayment choices. 

Federal Student Aid: Repaying Your Loans
If you have federal loans, this U.S. Department of Education web page will give you a sense of your repayment options.

Federal Student Loan Ombudsman
If you have a federal loan problem that you feel is not being handled fairly, the Student Loan Ombudsman of the U.S. Department of Education may be able to help.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Student Loan Complaint System
If you have a private or federal student loan problem with a lender, servicer, or debt collector, you can file a complaint through the bureau

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