About 70% of college students rely on loans to finance their education, according to the Urban Institute. And while federal student loans offer lower rates and more hardship relief options, they're rarely large enough to cover all your educational expenses.

Jen Smith is a personal finance expert specializing in student loans, paying off debt, and investing. When she's not writing she's the co-host of the award-winning Frugal Friends Podcast. damircudic / Getty Images The interest rate on a federal ...

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