Steps To Securing A Student Loan
By: Jamie CarrollStudents and families are often confused with the variety of options available when it comes to financing a college education. There are a myriad of options, from college scholarships and grants to federal and private student loans.
The private student loans will come up as the best comprehensive financial solution to meet the education expenses such as fees, living expenses, supplies, computers, and all other associated expenses.
The Federal Stafford Loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time at a college or university accepting federal aid. This is a need-based program in which undergraduates may borrow up to $5,500 per year in subsidized funds based on academic level and graduate level students may borrow up to $18,500 per year (up to $8,500 in subsidized funds and the remainder in unsubsidized funds). The funds are sent directly to the school and are applied to the student's account. To ease the financial burden, payments are not required until six months after the student graduates. When looking to apply for a Stafford Loan, students should see what types of borrower benefits each lender is offering. As these student loans are all fixed at the same interest rate set by the U.S. Government, lenders are offering incentives to borrow by way of discounts, such as waived fees, rate reductions for early payment and cash back.
The private student loans are provided for the students as well as parents. The parents who are interested to take loan for the educational purpose of the children can opt for the specialized parent private loan. They can also enroll as the cosigner in the application. The private student loans are usually provided on the basis of the credit score. If the parent or any well wisher, who has a good credit score, can enroll in the application as cosigner, it will be easy for the approval.
The Perkins Loan is another federal loan available to both undergraduate and graduate students offered on the basis of financial need, other aid received and availability of funds at each school. The federal government lends schools funds for distribution to its neediest students. The school, therefore, is the lender, and undergraduates may be awarded up to $4,000/year and graduates may be awarded up to $6,000/year. These loans need to be repaid directly to the school and have a fixed 5% interest rate since the program was started. Students can take advantage of a nine-month grace period and a ten-year repayment term.
However, if consolidated with any existing federal student loan, including Stafford or Graduate PLUS Loans, this can extend the repayment term. Consolidation has been mentioned a few times and it's really in the best interest of students to take advantage of this upon graduation. Each federal loan, on its own, has a 10 year repayment term, regardless of total loan debt.
Consolidation fixed the interest rate and extends the repayment term, allowing more time to repay an often hefty federal loan debt.
Author Resource: Learn more about Federal Student Loan and Government Education Loan