Student Loans: Making Education Possible

Student Loans: Making Education Possible

by Jim Kesel

Whether you choose to become a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, or whatever profession, applying for student loans can make your dream come true. Getting into college is tough, made even tougher by the seemingly exorbitant tuition fees and other expenses needed to complete a degree. It is because of these financial demands that people become deeply discouraged and give up their dream of a college education. There really is no reason to become discouraged there are many opportunities to get student loans. If you do a good job of research you will find one that will meet your needs.

There are many student loans packages out there to fit every student's financial need. To search for the best one, a student may consider contacting the college or university they are applying to for financial assistance. Counselors will have the latest information on grants, scholarships and student loans. You can also to a search on line to find what is currently available. The most common, and perhaps also the most affordable options for student loans are the federal student loans. The federal student loans have lower interest rates than personal loans, and they may come in the form of federal Stafford loans or federal PLUS loans, and Perkins loan.

With the federal Stafford loans, which may be subsidized (based on need) or unsubsidized (no-need-based), one does not need to make loan payments while still in school. On the other hand, federal PLUS loans which stand for Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, are student loans granted to parents in behalf of their children.

Usually, the federal subsidized Stafford loan provides the best option for any student in deep financial need. In this type of loan, the government assumes the interest repayment until the student has already graduated and becomes able to make normal repayments of the loan. The federal unsubsidized Stafford loan is the kind of loan in which the student himself is responsible in paying the interest accrued during the course of the program. In both cases, credit check is not required. In addition interest from student loans generally tax deductable. This will become very important once you have graduated and beginning to make loan payments. It is wise to seek student loan consolidation advice from a professional a year prior to graduating.

The other type of federal loan is Perkins loan. Perkins loan is offered to students who greatly need financial help. The amount of loan ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. A good feature about this kind of loan is that there is a nine-month grace period after graduation for the borrower to start making his payments.

There is also another type of student loan which one can turn to in the event that the federal loans can not meet all of the required expenses. This particular type of student loan is called private student loan. It is often the best alternative to bank loans. Private student loans are credit-based, however, so if one desires to apply for this type of loan, he must have an acceptable credit rating. If the student does not have a credit record a student loan can be acquired through the use of a co-signer that does have a relatively good credit score.

In any case as you can plainly see there really is no financial reason for not attending college. Student grants, scholarships and loans all make getting your degree a reality.