Federal Student Loans: A Checklist for Comparing Options
Follow the aid offer through to repayment. Move from FAFSA to a specific loan decision Submitting the FAFSA form begins the federal aid process; it does not itself deposit a loan or require you to accept one. Review the school's aid offer and confirm which loan types, amounts and award year it covers. Ask the…

Home Equity Loans: A Checklist for Comparing Options
A home equity loan lets you borrow against the available equity in your home, generally as a lump sum. Equity reflects the property’s value relative to debt secured by it. The amount a lender offers depends on its valuation and underwriting. How the borrowing arrangement works Ask how the proposed loan sits alongside your existing…