The Nuances of Direct Student Loans

The Nuances of Direct Student Loans

by Mike Sandiford

The rising cost of a university education has led to a boom in student lending throughout Europe and North America. European students used to low costs for higher education are facing fees, tuition and other costs that make student loans a necessity. Your experience with student lending is simpler with direct student loans from accredited lenders rather than bank loans designed for non-educational ventures.
It is important for graduates to understand the terminology involved with student loans before leaving school. A direct student loan implies a payment of loan funds from the lender to the student and his family without passing through a middle man. Most direct student loans have a feature where the money needed to fulfil tuition and fees are distributed to the university first before the surplus is sent to the student. Direct student loans provide financial flexibility that allows a university student to live comfortably while going to school.

Students also need to realize the nuances of subsidized and unsubsidized loans for proper financial management. Subsidized student loans feature interest rates paid by the government on behalf of the student through graduation. Unsubsidized loans require repayment of interest accrued during school as part of a monthly repayment plan. Smart students stick with subsidized student loans to avoid the overwhelming cost of interest rates following graduation.

Direct student loan providers offer flexibility when it comes to repayment schedules. Most providers give the loan recipient several options including a front-loaded schedule and a balloon payment schedule to meet different financial needs. It is vital for university students to review every repayment option for their direct student loans. There is no rule of thumb stating that any one repayment schedule is best but the temptation to back load loan costs will mean a higher proportion of loan repayment toward interest rates.

A final consideration in using direct student loans is the consolidation of multiple loans after graduation. Loan consolidation involves the combination of two or more loans into a single repayment plan that is designed as a lifeline for financially strapped students. The lure of consolidation needs to be looked at through a reasoned lens. Graduates need to look at the lender offering consolidation to find a track record of responsibility to clients as well as a wide range of consolidation options. Students need to use the student loans process as a lesson in responsible financial management.