The fall semester won’t start for several weeks at the state’s colleges and universities, but now is a key time in the financial planning process. The C-E-O of Iowa Student Loan, Steve McCullough, says parents and students need to do some research when it comes to student loans.

He says there are federal student loans, private loans, and the loans offered through the Iowa program.

He says the state loan could save a family one-thousand dollars over the life of a 10-thousand dollar loan. McCullough says their website at studentloan.org can help you see your options.

There’s been a lot of talk from the Biden Administration about forgiving student loans. McCullough says the shouldn’t be a factor in any student loan decision right now.

McCullough says there are things students can do to reduce the amount they need to borrow.

He says if you base your decisions on the facts at the time and really take the time to do your research and understand that interest rates and the other factors you can make a difference in how much you end up paying in the long run.