Last updated: November 6, 2026
Quick answer: Some links on DegreeWorx are affiliate links. If you click one and then sign up or buy, we may earn a commission. It costs you nothing extra, and it never changes what we tell you.
How affiliate links work
An affiliate link is a special link to a partner’s website, for example a scholarship platform or a student loan comparison site. If you click it and then sign up, apply or buy, the partner may pay us a small fee. The price you pay and the terms you get are the same as if you went to the partner’s site yourself.
Why we use them
Affiliate commissions help keep DegreeWorx free. We do not show ads, we do not have a paywall and our tools are free to use.
Our rules
- Free federal aid comes first. In our guides we always tell you to fill out the FAFSA and use grants, work-study and federal loans before you look at private loans. Federal aid usually has better terms, and no commission changes that advice.
- Money does not change our facts. We never change a fact, a number or a ranking because a company pays us.
- We tell you near the link. Articles with affiliate links have a short note near the top that says so.
- Paid placements are labeled. If a company ever pays to be featured, we will label it “Sponsored” or “Featured”.
Private student loans and refinancing
Lenders set their own rates, fees and approval rules. Any rates you see on our site come from the lender at the time we checked and can change. Always compare the lender’s official offer before you sign.
If you refinance federal student loans into a private loan, you lose federal benefits such as income-driven repayment, federal forgiveness programs and federal deferment options. Think about this carefully before you refinance.
Questions
If you have a question about a link or a partner, send us a message through our contact page.