Federal student loan payments resumed in October 2023 after roughly a three year pause. If you’re struggling to keep up with your monthly payments, you’re not alone. Only 60% of the 22 million borrowers with payments due in October paid these charges by mid-November according to recent Department of Education data.
If you’ve failed to make payments on your student loans, you could be at risk of defaulting. Defaulting on student loans happens when you miss several consecutive payments, leading to a breach of the agreed-upon repayment schedule.
Here’s what happens if you miss a payment on federal student loans:
- After 1 missed payment: Federal loans are typically considered delinquent as soon as you miss a payment. Perkins loans can go into default as soon as you miss one payment.
- After 90 days of no payment: Your loan servicer reports the delinquent status to the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. At this point, you're at risk of defaulting.
- After 270 days of no payment: Your federal student loan is officially in default status.
Good to know:
Private student loans usually have a different timeline for default than federal student loans. Rules vary depending on the lender, but private debts typically default once you’ve gone 90 days (three months) without making a payment.
Defaulting on student loans comes with serious consequences that can negatively impact your finances in multiple ways.
- Loan acceleration: This means the entire balance of your loan and all accrued interest becomes due immediately.
- Wage garnishment: The Department of Education can force your employer to withhold a portion of each paycheck to pay down your loan balance.
- Seized tax refunds and federal benefit payments: Your federal income tax refund, Social Security benefits, and other federal payments can be seized and applied to your outstanding balance.
- Loss of federal aid: While your loan is in default, you can’t take advantage of deferment, forbearance, or loan forgiveness. You also can’t qualify for other financial aid, such as a new federal student loan.
- Credit damage: Once your loan servicer reports your defaulted student loans to the credit bureaus, your credit score could drop, affecting your ability to qualify for loans, credit cards, and other financial products.
- Collection costs: The federal government may charge collection costs, including attorney’s fees and other court charges.
- Legal action: The federal government may take legal action to collect on defaulted student loans.
Important:
If your federal student loans went into default before Sept. 1, 2023, you may be able to use the Fresh Start program to get out of default and restore your access to federal repayment options.
Although rules for defaulting on private student loans differ from those for federal student loans, they have many of the same consequences. These consequences can include damage to your credit, loan acceleration, collection action, legal action, and adding collection costs to your loan balance. Note that private lenders generally can’t garnish your wages or seize your tax refund without a court order.
Related: Federal vs. private student loans
If you’re at risk of having your student loans go into default, it’s essential to take action right away. Here’s what you can do:
- Contact your lender: Reach out to your loan servicer, explain your situation, and express your willingness to find a solution. Your lender can provide information about your options such as deferring your loans, and guide you through next steps.
- Switch repayment plans: If you have federal student loans, your lender may recommend switching to an income-driven repayment plan if you qualify. These plans base monthly payments on your discretionary income and family size, and in some cases, your payments could be as low as $0 per month.
- Refinance private student loans: If you’re at risk of defaulting on your private student loans, refinancing could help you save on interest and also extend the loan term so your monthly payments become lower and more manageable.
Keep in mind that refinancing federal student loans with a private lender means losing federal benefits and protections, such as access to income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs.
Advertiser DisclosureOverview
Brazos offers student loan refinancing exclusively to Texas residents who have earned at least a bachelor's degree from an eligible school. The company does not charge application or origination fees, and its interest rates could be lower than what you find with other private lenders.
However, Brazos has eligibility requirements that some borrowers might find to be difficult to meet. To qualify, borrowers must have a minimum income of $60,000 and a credit score of 720 or higher. If you can't meet those minimums alone, you can add a cosigner who can be released after making 24 consecutive payments.
pros
- Offers five loan terms
- Competitive rate offerings
- Cosigner release after two years
- Doesn’t charge application or origination fees
- A quarter-point rate discount for using autopay
cons
- Must be a Texas resident to qualify
- Higher minimum credit and income requirements than many other lenders
- Must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$10,000 minimum, up to $150,000 for bachelor’s degrees and $400,000 for graduate, medical, law, or other professional degrees
Cosigner release
After 24 on-time, consecutive payments
Eligibility
Borrower must be a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has at least one outstanding, fully disbursed education loan
$5,000 up to the full balance
Overview
SoFi®, an online lender established in 2011, offers student loan refinancing for undergraduate and graduate borrowers from Title IV schools. They also provide refinancing options for Parent PLUS loans and medical school graduates in residency or fellowship. With five repayment terms, SoFi caters to various budget needs, and you can prequalify with a soft credit pull, which won't impact your credit score. Loans are serviced by MOHELA.
SoFi stands out for its member perks, including no fees, an autopay discount, and a 0.125 percentage point interest rate reduction for existing members. Additional benefits include free financial planning, unemployment protection, and access to travel deals.
pros
- Rate discounts, financial planning, and travel deals for members
- No application, origination, or late payment fees
- Autopay rate discount available
- You can refinance parent PLUS loans in the student's name
cons
- Cosigner release not available
- Must have at least $5,000 in loans to refinance
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$5,000 - full outstanding balance
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Must have made 6 on-time payments in the past 6 months, with no record of default, delinquency, bankruptcy, or foreclosure in the last five years. Employment is required, or you must have a job offer starting within 90 days. Must also have attended a Title IV-eligible school.
$10,000 up to total refinance amount
Overview
ELFI offers student loan refinancing for borrowers who have earned at least a bachelor's degree. A key benefit is that you're assigned a dedicated Student Loan Advisor as soon as you begin the application process. This advisor helps guide you through the refinancing process and assists in selecting the loan terms that best fit your financial situation. Advisors can be reached by text, email, or phone.
ELFI also allows you to refinance a parent's PLUS loan in your name, a feature that sets it apart from many other private lenders. However, ELFI does not offer cosigner release or interest rate discounts.
pros
- Work with a dedicated Student Loan Advisor
- Students can refinance parent loans in their own name
- Transparent eligibility criteria
- Payment relief options for struggling borrowers
cons
- At least a bachelor’s degree required for refinancing
- No cosigner release
- No autopay rate discount
- Fees apply for late or returned payments
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years for student loan refinancing; 5, 7, or 10 years for parent loan refinancing
Loan amounts
Minimum of $10,000 with no set maximum.
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Must have at least $10,000 in student loans to refinance and a minimum credit history of 36 months.
Overview
LendKey is a lending platform that partners with credit unions and community banks to help borrowers get low-interest student refinance loans. You can compare lenders all in one place without negatively impacting your credit score.
Because LendKey pairs borrowers with local banks and credit unions, the terms and eligibility requirements can differ, depending on which lender you choose. You'll have many options to compare, but it's important that you carefully review each credit union or bank's terms before signing your loan agreement.
pros
- Doesn’t charge origination or application fees
- Can refinance with an associate degree
- Offers a discount for autopay
cons
- Terms vary by the lender you choose
- Potentially need to meet membership requirements for certain credit unions or banks
Cosigner release
Varies based on lender's terms
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have already graduated with at least an associate degree from one of LendKey lenders’ eligible institutions.
Overview
INvestEd is a nonprofit lender that offers student loan refinancing with competitive rates. Borrowers can take advantage of an autopay discount, as well as cosigner release after only 12 on-time payments.
The lender's maximum refinance loan limit is $250,000, which is lower than some other lenders. International students aren't able to refinance their student loans. INvestEd has a minimum credit score requirement of 670, and borrowers must meet an income requirement. However, the lender doesn't offer prequalification, so potential borrowers can't find out what their rate would be without a full application.
pros
- Don’t need a degree to refinance
- Offers rate discount for autopay
- Can release cosigner after 12 on-time payments
- Various deferment options available
cons
- Can’t prequalify before applying
- Maximum loan limit is lower than some lenders
- Not able to transfer a parent loan to a student
- International students aren’t eligible
Eligibility
U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible. Borrowers must meet minimum requirements including a FICO score of 670 or higher, annual income of $36,000, a debt-to-income ratio below 40% to 50%, a year of continuous employment, and no defaults or serious collection activities in recent years.
Overview
If you have at least $10,000 in student loans to refinance, Citizens may be a good option.The lender has a relatively high loan maximum of $300,000 for undergraduate borrowers, and graduate or professional degree holders can refinance up to $500,000 or $750,000.
Citizens offers loan repayment terms ranging from five to 20 years, and rates can be either fixed or variable. Medical residents can refinance loans with fixed monthly payments of $100 for up to four years.
pros
- Offers prequalification to check rates
- Discounts for autopay and loyalty
- Wide range of repayment terms
cons
- Higher minimum loan requirement than some lenders
- Cosigner release only available after 36 payments
- 12 payments required for borrowers without at least a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to refinance
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$10,000 minimum, with a maximum of $300,000 for bachelor’s degree or below; $500,000 for graduate degrees; and $750,000 for professional degrees
Eligibility
Must refinance at least $10,000 in student loans and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or resident alien with a valid U.S. Social Security number. Must have earned at least a bachelor's degree to qualify.
Overview
EdvestinU is a nonprofit student loan lending and refinancing organization that's part of the Granite Edvance Corporation. It offers student refinance loans, with fixed- and variable-rate options available.
The lender offers student loan refinancing in 20 states. It has higher loan minimums and lower maximums to qualify for refinancing than some competitors. Eligible borrowers have a range of student loan repayment term options to choose from.
pros
- No degree required to qualify and can refinance while still in school
- Rate discount of 0.25 percentage points for autopay
- New Hampshire residents may qualify for a 1.5 percentage point rate reduction
- Can prequalify and see rate offers with no impact on credit score
cons
- Not available to borrowers in all states
- Higher minimum balances and lower maximum balances than some competitors
- Stricter cosigner release requirements than many other lenders
Eligibility
U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old and reside in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
$10,000 up to the total amount
Overview
The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) provides refinancing options for student borrowers, even if you haven't earned your degree. While MEFA doesn't offer variable-rate loans, its fixed-rate options are competitive with what other lenders offer.
You can refinance loans starting at $10,000, but you'll need to have made six on-time payments on your current loans within the last six months to qualify. If your credit history isn't strong enough, you can apply with a cosigner. However, MEFA doesn't offer cosigner release, meaning the cosigner remains responsible until the loan is fully paid off.
pros
- You don’t need a degree to refinance
- View your estimated rate through prequalification
- No application, origination, or late fees
cons
- Variable rates are not offered; only fixed
- No autopay rate discount
- Cosigner can’t be released from the loan
- Parent loans are not eligible for refinancing
Loan amounts
$10,000 up to your total debt
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is the primary borrower on education debt used to attend an eligible college or university. Must have made six on-time loan payments over the most recent six months. Must have no history of default or delinquency on education debt for the past 12 months and no history of bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past five years.
Overview
Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) is a nonprofit lender founded in 1981 that offers refinance loans to borrowers in all 50 states. While most private student loan lenders cater exclusively to borrowers who have earned degrees, RISLA also refinances loans for those who did not complete a degree program.
One of the benefits RISLA offers is income-based repayment, which is usually only available with federal student loans. Borrowers experiencing financial hardship may also qualify for forbearance for a period of as long as 24 months. Those returning to resume graduate studies school may defer repayment on their refinancing loans for as long as 36 months.
pros
- Offers income-based repayment
- Forbearance periods of as long as 24 months available
- Graduate school deferment periods as long as 36 months
- Can refinance even without a degree
cons
- Cosigners cannot be released from loans
- Limited range of repayment terms
- Must have income of at least $40,000 to qualify
- Doesn’t offer variable-rate loans
Loan amounts
$7,500 minimum up to of $250,000, depending on degree
Eligibility
Borrower or cosigner must meet credit requirements. Student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have used original student loans to attend an eligible degree-granting institution.
Overview
Brazos offers student loan refinancing exclusively to Texas residents who have earned at least a bachelor's degree from an eligible school. The company does not charge application or origination fees, and its interest rates could be lower than what you find with other private lenders.
However, Brazos has eligibility requirements that some borrowers might find to be difficult to meet. To qualify, borrowers must have a minimum income of $60,000 and a credit score of 720 or higher. If you can't meet those minimums alone, you can add a cosigner who can be released after making 24 consecutive payments.
pros
- Offers five loan terms
- Competitive rate offerings
- Cosigner release after two years
- Doesn’t charge application or origination fees
- A quarter-point rate discount for using autopay
cons
- Must be a Texas resident to qualify
- Higher minimum credit and income requirements than many other lenders
- Must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$10,000 minimum, up to $150,000 for bachelor’s degrees and $400,000 for graduate, medical, law, or other professional degrees
Cosigner release
After 24 on-time, consecutive payments
Eligibility
Borrower must be a Texas resident and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has at least one outstanding, fully disbursed education loan
Loan Amounts
$5,000 up to the full balance
Overview
SoFi®, an online lender established in 2011, offers student loan refinancing for undergraduate and graduate borrowers from Title IV schools. They also provide refinancing options for Parent PLUS loans and medical school graduates in residency or fellowship. With five repayment terms, SoFi caters to various budget needs, and you can prequalify with a soft credit pull, which won't impact your credit score. Loans are serviced by MOHELA.
SoFi stands out for its member perks, including no fees, an autopay discount, and a 0.125 percentage point interest rate reduction for existing members. Additional benefits include free financial planning, unemployment protection, and access to travel deals.
pros
- Rate discounts, financial planning, and travel deals for members
- No application, origination, or late payment fees
- Autopay rate discount available
- You can refinance parent PLUS loans in the student's name
cons
- Cosigner release not available
- Must have at least $5,000 in loans to refinance
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$5,000 - full outstanding balance
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Must have made 6 on-time payments in the past 6 months, with no record of default, delinquency, bankruptcy, or foreclosure in the last five years. Employment is required, or you must have a job offer starting within 90 days. Must also have attended a Title IV-eligible school.
Loan Amounts
$10,000 up to total refinance amount
Overview
ELFI offers student loan refinancing for borrowers who have earned at least a bachelor's degree. A key benefit is that you're assigned a dedicated Student Loan Advisor as soon as you begin the application process. This advisor helps guide you through the refinancing process and assists in selecting the loan terms that best fit your financial situation. Advisors can be reached by text, email, or phone.
ELFI also allows you to refinance a parent's PLUS loan in your name, a feature that sets it apart from many other private lenders. However, ELFI does not offer cosigner release or interest rate discounts.
pros
- Work with a dedicated Student Loan Advisor
- Students can refinance parent loans in their own name
- Transparent eligibility criteria
- Payment relief options for struggling borrowers
cons
- At least a bachelor’s degree required for refinancing
- No cosigner release
- No autopay rate discount
- Fees apply for late or returned payments
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years for student loan refinancing; 5, 7, or 10 years for parent loan refinancing
Loan amounts
Minimum of $10,000 with no set maximum.
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Must have at least $10,000 in student loans to refinance and a minimum credit history of 36 months.
Overview
LendKey is a lending platform that partners with credit unions and community banks to help borrowers get low-interest student refinance loans. You can compare lenders all in one place without negatively impacting your credit score.
Because LendKey pairs borrowers with local banks and credit unions, the terms and eligibility requirements can differ, depending on which lender you choose. You'll have many options to compare, but it's important that you carefully review each credit union or bank's terms before signing your loan agreement.
pros
- Doesn’t charge origination or application fees
- Can refinance with an associate degree
- Offers a discount for autopay
cons
- Terms vary by the lender you choose
- Potentially need to meet membership requirements for certain credit unions or banks
Cosigner release
Varies based on lender's terms
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have already graduated with at least an associate degree from one of LendKey lenders’ eligible institutions.
Overview
INvestEd is a nonprofit lender that offers student loan refinancing with competitive rates. Borrowers can take advantage of an autopay discount, as well as cosigner release after only 12 on-time payments.
The lender's maximum refinance loan limit is $250,000, which is lower than some other lenders. International students aren't able to refinance their student loans. INvestEd has a minimum credit score requirement of 670, and borrowers must meet an income requirement. However, the lender doesn't offer prequalification, so potential borrowers can't find out what their rate would be without a full application.
pros
- Don’t need a degree to refinance
- Offers rate discount for autopay
- Can release cosigner after 12 on-time payments
- Various deferment options available
cons
- Can’t prequalify before applying
- Maximum loan limit is lower than some lenders
- Not able to transfer a parent loan to a student
- International students aren’t eligible
Eligibility
U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible. Borrowers must meet minimum requirements including a FICO score of 670 or higher, annual income of $36,000, a debt-to-income ratio below 40% to 50%, a year of continuous employment, and no defaults or serious collection activities in recent years.
Overview
If you have at least $10,000 in student loans to refinance, Citizens may be a good option.The lender has a relatively high loan maximum of $300,000 for undergraduate borrowers, and graduate or professional degree holders can refinance up to $500,000 or $750,000.
Citizens offers loan repayment terms ranging from five to 20 years, and rates can be either fixed or variable. Medical residents can refinance loans with fixed monthly payments of $100 for up to four years.
pros
- Offers prequalification to check rates
- Discounts for autopay and loyalty
- Wide range of repayment terms
cons
- Higher minimum loan requirement than some lenders
- Cosigner release only available after 36 payments
- 12 payments required for borrowers without at least a bachelor’s degree to be eligible to refinance
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$10,000 minimum, with a maximum of $300,000 for bachelor’s degree or below; $500,000 for graduate degrees; and $750,000 for professional degrees
Eligibility
Must refinance at least $10,000 in student loans and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or resident alien with a valid U.S. Social Security number. Must have earned at least a bachelor's degree to qualify.
Overview
EdvestinU is a nonprofit student loan lending and refinancing organization that's part of the Granite Edvance Corporation. It offers student refinance loans, with fixed- and variable-rate options available.
The lender offers student loan refinancing in 20 states. It has higher loan minimums and lower maximums to qualify for refinancing than some competitors. Eligible borrowers have a range of student loan repayment term options to choose from.
pros
- No degree required to qualify and can refinance while still in school
- Rate discount of 0.25 percentage points for autopay
- New Hampshire residents may qualify for a 1.5 percentage point rate reduction
- Can prequalify and see rate offers with no impact on credit score
cons
- Not available to borrowers in all states
- Higher minimum balances and lower maximum balances than some competitors
- Stricter cosigner release requirements than many other lenders
Eligibility
U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old and reside in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Loan Amounts
$10,000 up to the total amount
Overview
The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) provides refinancing options for student borrowers, even if you haven't earned your degree. While MEFA doesn't offer variable-rate loans, its fixed-rate options are competitive with what other lenders offer.
You can refinance loans starting at $10,000, but you'll need to have made six on-time payments on your current loans within the last six months to qualify. If your credit history isn't strong enough, you can apply with a cosigner. However, MEFA doesn't offer cosigner release, meaning the cosigner remains responsible until the loan is fully paid off.
pros
- You don’t need a degree to refinance
- View your estimated rate through prequalification
- No application, origination, or late fees
cons
- Variable rates are not offered; only fixed
- No autopay rate discount
- Cosigner can’t be released from the loan
- Parent loans are not eligible for refinancing
Loan amounts
$10,000 up to your total debt
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is the primary borrower on education debt used to attend an eligible college or university. Must have made six on-time loan payments over the most recent six months. Must have no history of default or delinquency on education debt for the past 12 months and no history of bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past five years.
Overview
Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) is a nonprofit lender founded in 1981 that offers refinance loans to borrowers in all 50 states. While most private student loan lenders cater exclusively to borrowers who have earned degrees, RISLA also refinances loans for those who did not complete a degree program.
One of the benefits RISLA offers is income-based repayment, which is usually only available with federal student loans. Borrowers experiencing financial hardship may also qualify for forbearance for a period of as long as 24 months. Those returning to resume graduate studies school may defer repayment on their refinancing loans for as long as 36 months.
pros
- Offers income-based repayment
- Forbearance periods of as long as 24 months available
- Graduate school deferment periods as long as 36 months
- Can refinance even without a degree
cons
- Cosigners cannot be released from loans
- Limited range of repayment terms
- Must have income of at least $40,000 to qualify
- Doesn’t offer variable-rate loans
Loan amounts
$7,500 minimum up to of $250,000, depending on degree
Eligibility
Borrower or cosigner must meet credit requirements. Student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have used original student loans to attend an eligible degree-granting institution.
Fox Business does not make or arrange loans.
Related: Should I refinance my student loans?
The fastest way to get out of student loan default is to pay your student loan balance in full. When you pay off the entire balance, it immediately resolves the default status of your loan. Of course, if you could afford to do that, your loan probably wouldn’t be in default status to begin with. Consider the strategies below if repaying the loan in full isn’t an option.
If your federal student loans defaulted before September 1, 2023, you might be eligible for the Fresh Start program. This temporary program helps you restore your student loans to good standing easily and quickly, removing the defaulted record from your credit report.
There are a few ways to sign up for Fresh Start, including signing up online or contacting the U.S. Department of Education’s Default Resolution Group:
- By phone at 1-800-621-3115, or
- Via mail at Default Resolution Group, P.O. Box 5609, Greenville, TX 75403.
After you apply, it takes roughly four to six weeks for the defaulted loan to transfer to a non-default loan servicer. Your loan goes back to “in repayment” status, and the default record is removed from your credit report. You’ll need to make monthly payments from that point forward to avoid having your loans go into default again. You can enroll in an income-driven repayment plan to make your payments affordable.
Best for:
Borrowers with federal student loans that went into default before September 1, 2023.
The Fresh Start program temporarily replaced the loan rehabilitation process, which will be an option again after Fresh Start ends in September 2024. Rehabilitation is a process that allows borrowers to restore their federal student loans to good standing. Note, that you can only rehabilitate a student loan once.
To rehabilitate a loan, you need to work with your loan servicer to establish a reasonable and affordable repayment plan and make a series of nine consecutive, on-time payments over the course of 10 months. Once you’ve made the required payments, your loan is considered rehabilitated, and the default is removed from your credit report.
Best for:
Borrowers with federal student loans who don’t qualify for the Fresh Start program and want to remove the default status from their credit report.
Another option is loan consolidation, where one or more federal student loans are combined into a single Direct Consolidation Loan. Consolidation won’t erase the default history from your credit report, but it can simplify repayment by offering a single monthly payment. In order to consolidate your defaulted loans, you must:
- Agree to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan to repay the new consolidated loan, OR
- Make three full back-to-back monthly payments on your defaulted loan before consolidating it.
Once you consolidate your loans, you’ll be eligible for benefits like deferment, forbearance, and possibly student loan forgiveness through programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Best for:
Borrowers who need to resolve the default quickly to restore access to federal repayment options or apply for more financial aid.
Meet the contributor:
Janet Berry-Johnson
Janet Berry-Johnson has over 12 years finance experience and bylines at The New York Times, Forbes, and Business Insider.
