Best case loan options

Student loan interest is simple interest. It only capitalizes once, when you put the loans into repayment (when student leaves school or graduates). You can avoid this by paying the interest as it accrues. The origination fee is deducted when the loan is disbursed, so that is simple interest only.

The low credit card interest rate, mentioned above, is compounded interest, usually compounded on a 60 day average balance.