--- title: 8.13.24 Manage August Bill Replay description: Strategies for paying and borrowing wisely. Steps to choosing the right student loan. --- [Skip to content](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/8.13.24-manage-august-bill-replay#main-content) # Managing Your August Tuition Bill: How to Find the Best Loan Rates & Use 529 Money August 13, 2024 Parent PLUS Loan rates have gone up again for this season...they are now 9.08% for all borrowers....plus a 4% origination fee.  Private Loans May be an interesting alternative. Borrowers with good credit can get rates starting just under 5% with no fees.  Below you’ll find a link to a student loan marketplace, where you can compare and get pre-approved.  One of the lenders, Earnest, actually has a Rate Match Guarantee. You’ll also see our suggestion on steps you can take to help ensure you choose the right student loan. Step-By-Step Guide To Choosing the Best Student Loan In 2024: Step 1: Apply through [Ascent](https://college.ascentfunding.com/application?utm_source=partner&referral_code=partner_collegeaid_peak2024_pac&utm_medium=collegeaid_peak2024_pac) to get your rate - [CLICK HERE](https://college.ascentfunding.com/application?utm_source=partner&referral_code=partner_collegeaid_peak2024_pac&utm_medium=collegeaid_peak2024_pac)  - - **Lowest fixed intro rate starting at 3.69%** - 4 easy steps without impacting your credit score Step 2: Apply through [College Ave](https://track.collegefinance.com/7e182a86-8c31-46f2-a5e3-61c2617e4966?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid]) to get your rate - [CLICK HERE](https://track.collegefinance.com/7e182a86-8c31-46f2-a5e3-61c2617e4966?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid])  - - 3 minutes to apply Step 3: Apply through [Sallie Mae](https://track.collegefinance.com/2a0f7b50-4f50-4d90-b85d-500fe8ce2ce2?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid]) to get your rate - [CLICK HERE](https://track.collegefinance.com/2a0f7b50-4f50-4d90-b85d-500fe8ce2ce2?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid])  - - No origination fee or penalty for prepayment, competitive rates Step 4: Compare your private rates to the [Federal PLUS loan\*](https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/parent/landing) and to 3 state loan options; [Massachusetts](https://www.mefa.org/undergraduate-student-loans), [Rhode Island](https://www.risla.com/home-page), [Iowa](https://www.iowastudentloan.org/). [View Side-By-Side Comparison](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hubfs/College%20Aid%20Pro%20-%20Private%20Lender%20Comparison%20(July%2016%202024).pdf?hsLang=en) ### Premium + Expert #### **$279** #### **Code: RATE20 for 20% Discount** **(Retail of $349)** **Expires at midnight!** ##### An Hour With An Expert: - Determine what loan options are best for your family. - Have an expert do a loan app with you so you can hit submit. - Have an expert do the MPN and loan counseling with you. - Discuss most efficient way to pay the college bill and strategies to limit borrowing. [Get Started!](https://mycap.collegeaidpro.com/) ## Lender Fact Sheet [View Side-By-Side Comparison](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hubfs/College%20Aid%20Pro%20-%20Private%20Lender%20Comparison%20(July%2016%202024).pdf?hsLang=en) [![Ascent\_FullColor\_NoTag\_Logo (3) 2](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ascent_FullColor_NoTag_Logo%20(3)%202.png?width=1280&height=309&name=Ascent_FullColor_NoTag_Logo%20(3)%202.png "Ascent_FullColor_NoTag_Logo (3) 2")](https://college.ascentfunding.com/application?utm_source=partner&referral_code=partner_collegeaid_peak2024_pac&utm_medium=collegeaid_peak2024_pac) Variable Rate APRs: 5.99% - 15.85% Fixed Rate APRs: 3.69% - 15.76% ## Ascent - **Fixed rates starting at 3.69 A**nnual Percentage Rate (APR) - **Access to expert coaching, paid internship opportunities, and career-prep resources with AscentUP6** - **Zero fees** – no application, origination, disbursement, early repayment, or late fees - **1% cash back** at graduation and a 0.25% - 1.00% autopay discount - 12-month co-signor release program - [Disclosures](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/2024-ascent-discloure?hsLang=en) [Get My Rate](https://college.ascentfunding.com/application?utm_source=partner&referral_code=partner_collegeaid_peak2024_pac&utm_medium=collegeaid_peak2024_pac) [![college ave logo](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/college%20ave%20logo.png?width=225&height=225&name=college%20ave%20logo.png "college ave logo")](https://track.collegefinance.com/7e182a86-8c31-46f2-a5e3-61c2617e4966?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid]) Variable Rate APRs: 5.59% - 17.99% Fixed Rate APRs: 3.89% - 17.99% ## College Ave - Apply in as little as 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision - Multiple repayment options from deferred to immediate principal and interest - Choice of how long you take to repay the loan - 5, 8, 10, or 15 years - 0.25% interest rate reduction when you make required payments by automatic debit - Borrow up to 100% of your cost of attendance (minimum $1,000) [Get My Rate](https://track.collegefinance.com/7e182a86-8c31-46f2-a5e3-61c2617e4966?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid]) [![sallie mae logo](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sallie%20mae%20logo.png?width=225&height=225&name=sallie%20mae%20logo.png "sallie mae logo")](https://track.collegefinance.com/2a0f7b50-4f50-4d90-b85d-500fe8ce2ce2?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid]) Variable Rate APRs: 5.37% - 15.7% Fixed Rate APRs: 3.74% - 15.49% ## Sallie Mae - Lowest rates shown include 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount with auto debit payments. - Applying online is easy - you could receive a credit result in about 10 minutes. - Multiple repayment options from in-school payments to deferred. No origination fee or prepayment penalty. - Borrow up to 100% of school-certified expenses, whether you're online or on campus. - Last year, students were 4x more likely to be approved with a cosigner. - [Disclosures](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/2024-sallie-mae-disclosures?hsLang=en) [Get My Rate](https://track.collegefinance.com/2a0f7b50-4f50-4d90-b85d-500fe8ce2ce2?opeid=[opeid]&trackingId=[trackingId]&uid=[uid]) [View Side-By-Side Comparison](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hubfs/College%20Aid%20Pro%20-%20Private%20Lender%20Comparison%20(July%2016%202024).pdf?hsLang=en) --- ## **Webinar Replay** Video player - 8.13.24 Webinar (1) - Click to play video Copyright © 2026, College Aid Pro [![Logo](https://pages.collegeaidpro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/College%20Aid%20Pro%E2%84%A2.png?width=350&height=80&name=College%20Aid%20Pro%E2%84%A2.png "Logo")](https://collegeaidpro.com/)