Complete Review on Student Loans
Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
The rising costs of college tuition have made it almost a necessity to apply for a student loan today. Students not only have tuition costs, but the cost of books, meals, gas, cell phones, recreation, etc. The variety of student loans enables students to take care of their varying college expenses. A student loan however, is a loan that must be repaid under specified circumstances.
A Federal Family education loan or a Stafford loan consist of subsidized or unsubsidized terms. With a Subsidized Stafford Loan the government covers the interest on your student loan as long as you are enrolled in school and taking 6 or more credits. You can qualify by meeting the criteria for financial need. On the contrary with an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan the student must pay the interest on the loan while they are enrolled in school.
Guaranteed Student Loans, also known as Stafford Loans have a low interest rate. A student can apply for a subsidized or unsubsidized student loan. A subsidized loan means the government pays the interest for you while you are in school. The subsidized student loan is based on the students financial need. An unsubsidized student loan means you will be charged interest while you are attending school. The principal must start being paid after you have finished school. Both types of student loans need to start repayment six months after the student has finished college.
Federal Parent Loans or PLUS loans as they are known is a student loan not contingent on your income, but lenders do consider personal credit history. Parents or guardians who have a dependent child enrolled in college at least part-time are eligible for the PLUS loan. The interest rate is 9% or less.
Virtually any school or program will allow you to utilize the Direct Student loan, Guaranteed Student loan or PLUS loan. It is very important to thoroughly research all available options for funding long-term education. Your future is tied to your funding, which is your student loan.