The Monet Blog · Basics
Grants, aid appeals, in-state maths and the borrowing rule of thumb that keeps repayment survivable after graduation.
By Sankha NagChoudhurySeptember 14, 20268 min read
The cost of a degree is decided long before the first loan payment. Most of the leverage sits in the months around the aid offer — and in one honest question about how much borrowing the first salary can carry.
Every dollar of grant or scholarship is a dollar never repaid with interest. Work this list before considering any loan.
A financial aid offer is a starting position. A written appeal citing changed circumstances or a competing offer is normal and often works.
Federal loans carry protections that private loans generally do not: income-driven repayment, deferment, and forgiveness programmes.
A common guide: total borrowing across the degree should stay at or under the realistic first-year salary for the field. Above that, repayment starts crowding out everything else.
Tap a question to open Monet with it ready to edit. Educational guidance only — not tax, legal or investment advice.
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