Private Student Loan Advice & College Financing Resources

Ascent, a leading provider of innovative financial products and student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success, has been named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Fintech, an awards program created in 2017 by Arizent and Best Companies Group.  This annual survey and awards program recognizes the top employers in the financial technology industry. Honorees operate across a wide range of financial services sectors, including banking, mortgages, insurance, payments and financial advisory. To be eligible, companies must provide technology products or services that support financial services delivery, have been in business for at least one year, and employ at least 15 people in the U.S.  "Each year, the Best Places to Work in Financial Technology offers a glimpse into the practices of fintechs whose employees rate their workplaces highly," said Penny Crosman, executive editor of technology at American Banker. "This year, employees appear to value remote work and schedule flexibility above all else, at a time when many traditional financial firms have enforced strict return-to-work policies."  Companies from across the United States entered a two-part survey process to determine Arizent’s Best Places to Work in Fintech. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data and determined the final ranking.  “We’re proud to have built a workplace where employees feel trusted, supported, and genuinely connected to the work they do,” said Emily Skoubo, Director of Human Resources at Ascent. “This recognition reflects the collaborative culture our team has created together and our continued focus on providing an environment where people can grow, contribute, and feel valued.”  For more information on Arizent’s Best Places to Work in Fintech program, including full eligibility criteria, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkFinTech.com or contact Penny Crosman at [email protected].  About Ascent  Ascent is a leading provider of innovative financial products and wrap-around student support services that enable more students to access education and achieve academic and economic success. Everything Ascent offers is designed by leading industry professionals and with advanced technology and innovation to increase every student’s ability to plan, pay, and succeed. Ascent’s rare Outcomes-based Loan provides funding to credit-invisible borrowers who generally do not benefit from traditional credit. Ascent products also include: Cosigned Loans, Solo Loans, Career Loans, Parent Loans, Graduate Loans, Access Loans, Enterprise Loans and Impact Loans.  

Need to update your school information on the FAFSA? Learn more about the process of adding, editing, or deleting a school on your FAFSA even after submission.

Even though international students can't receive aid from the U.S government, it's still important to complete the FAFSA. Learn more from Ascent Funding.

Types of Financial Aid Explained: Learn about the different types of financial aid available for students, including loans, grants, and work-study programs.

Ascent hosted an engaging webinar to address what’s on many people’s minds - federal student loan repayment. We know that embarking on this journey can be overwhelming and you're not alone. According to NerdWallet, “nearly 44 million borrowers with student loans” are entering repayment. We're committed to supporting individuals every step of the way.  Our recent webinar, 'Federal Student Loan Repayment De-Mystified,' covered several topics ranging from how to prepare for repayment to understanding your repayment plan and exploring the invaluable resources available for those making budget adjustments.  We want to offer resources and address some important audience questions we didn’t have time to cover and provide guidance and support on this complex topic.  There are some great options for student loan repayment. What are the potential downsides to an Income Driven Repayment plan (IDR)?  Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans may be a good option for students that are unable to make their required payments under a standard, graduated or extended repayment plan, have low income or are enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, among other reasons. However, it is not always the best option for all students. Some of the disadvantages of IDR's include:    You might not qualify for a lower payment than under a standard repayment plan  Depending on which IDR plan, loan balances may increase as well as total cost of the loan due to unpaid interest  It will generally take longer to fully repay the debt obligation  Monthly payments may increase as your income increases  There may be tax consequences for forgiven loan balances, and you may want to consult a tax professional  What if my monthly payment is too high? How can I reduce this to a manageable amount?  According to StudentAid.gov, “Most federal student loans are eligible for at least one income-driven repayment plan. If your income is low enough, your payment could be as low as $0 per month.”  Start by exploring the new SAVE plan and use the Loan Simulator. This tool will help you explore repayment options that fit your needs.  You can also reach out to your Loan Servicer to explore options for reducing your monthly payment.   To find your Loan Servicer: Log into StudentAid.gov, view your Dashboard and access their information on the right-hand side panel.  What is PSLF and how can I qualify?  The Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a program for individuals employed by a government or non-profit organization that forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans:  If you are working full time for an eligible employer  After you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan  The PSLF Help Tool is a great place to start and will help you:  Search for qualifying employers  List what actions you may need to take to become eligible   Generate a PSLF form (tip: You must complete the form in a single session)  Need more info? Check out this helpful FAQ about PSLF  What types of student loan repayment options are there for Parent Plus Loans?  Parent PLUS borrowers are eligible for the following repayment plans:  Standard Repayment Plan  Graduated Repayment Plan  Extended Repayment Plan  According to StudentAid.gov, “Parent borrowers can become eligible for an additional repayment plan—the Income-Contingent Repayment Plan—by consolidating their parent PLUS loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan.”  If you have concerns about making payments, reach out to your Loan Servicer to discuss your options.   Need more info? Check out these Parent Plus FAQs  The conversation is far from over The conversation is far from over. It's ever evolving, and we recognize the importance of this topic for enrolled and unenrolled students, graduates and cosigners. We're dedicated to delving deeper and bringing more insights, advice, and conversations in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned and keep sharing your questions, concerns, and personal experiences as it helps shape these discussions and strengthens our Ascent community.  

There are several ways to get student loans, with a cosigner or without. Read how to get a student loan here to learn more.

If you're attending graduate school, our step-by-step guide will help you figure out where to start with the loan application process.

New adventures can be intimidating—whether it’s moving to a faraway campus, exploring some new classes, or furthering a budding career with a bootcamp program, there’s a lot to prepare for.

Being a college student means you’re consistently busy.

What are Parent PLUS loans, and should you look into one? Ascent Funding breaks down what Parent PLUS loans are and explains how they can benefit students.

A 529 college savings plan is an investment plan to pay for various education costs. Learn more about 529 college savings plans from Ascent Funding.