Student loan exit counseling helps you prepare for repayment by explaining your loan details, payment timeline, and options if you need help later. Taking it seriously now can make the transition out of school much smoother and help you avoid costly mistakes.

College costs can be misleading if you only look at tuition, so the best way to plan is to start with the school’s cost of attendance and adjust it for your own housing, food, travel, and personal expenses. This gives you a clearer picture of what you’ll really pay and helps you compare schools more accurately.