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Interest Accrual on Student Loans: When It Starts and How To Manage It

Most federal student loans and virtually all private student loans start accruing interest as soon as the money is disbursed.

Author
By Emily Guy Birken

Written by

Emily Guy Birken

Freelance writer

Emily Guy Birken is an authority on student loans and personal finance. Her work has been featured by MSN Money and MarketWatch.

Edited by Kelly Larsen

Written by

Kelly Larsen

Kelly Larsen is a student loans editor at Credible. She has spent over 10 years covering personal finance, with expertise in mortgage and debt management.

Updated January 14, 2025

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

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