Guides
FAFSA vs private student loans in the US
Updated September 2026
Start with federal aid. File the FAFSA on StudentAid.gov before comparing private student loans. Private loans are a different product — often used for a gap after federal and school aid, not a first stop.
Why FAFSA comes first
The FAFSA unlocks federal grants, Direct Loans, and work-study for eligible students. Schools also use it for many institutional awards. Confirm deadlines and school codes on StudentAid.gov.
Federal loans vs private loans
Federal Direct Loans have fixed terms published by the Department of Education. Private student loans are offered by banks and lenders with their own rates, fees, and cosigner rules. WealthNutz does not quote your APR — open the official lender page and confirm there.
Next steps on WealthNutz
- Loan Tools — find official FAFSA and lender pages
- Scholarships — school and foundation award pages
- Marketplace — student banking products (affiliate links disclosed)