Understanding Student Loans

Students who opt for higher studies often find that they lack the required capital to fund their anticipated study program stretching perhaps to several years. Fortunately, there are many institutions that a student can turn to for assistance for financing his education program. Except in the case of grants and scholarships, all other loans taken have to be re-paid; and unfortunately this fact does not strike the borrower forcefully enough at the time of obtaining loans. The obvious reason for same is since many repayments start only on graduation; and due to a feeling of satisfaction for the time being at finding the funds to cover more and more of the direct education costs and other education related expenses.

There is a cost attached to every loan that you take and it is very important that you educate yourself first on the types of loans available, which carry fixed as well as variable rates of interest during the lifetime of the loan. Even at fixed rates, the rates attached to different types of loans differ, as does the repayment periods, deferment options etc. It is also pertinent to visit websites of different lenders and do an in-depth study of the diverse packages on offer and / or negotiable, incorporating varying concessions on credit terms with regard to rate of interest, repayment period, deferment options etc; so that you can select the type and lender that best suits the circumstances on a case by case basis.

For purposes of college education, it is the Student Loans (except for limited Perkins Loans) that carry the most favorable all-round terms than any other general financial loans, and as such your search should mainly be confined to all types of student loans only. Read the rest of this entry

A private student loan can take off some of the sting of collegiate expenses. Everyone knows how intimidating the cost of college can be, so it makes sense to look into as many types of loans as you can. While private student loans tend to have higher interest rates, they are becoming a viable option for many students.

Private versus Federal

A federal student loan comes in a wide range of options. Students can choose from Perkins loans, Stafford loans or PLUS loans. Students who need financial aid to pay for college can also receive money through federal grants or scholarships.

Federal loans will usually have a fixed interest rate for students to pay back after they graduate. A federal student loan also offers a student who is having trouble finding a job, or is in financial strain, to defer payments for a period until they are able to pay off the debt. A final bonus to having a federal student loan is they can be consolidated into one loan.

Private student loans, on the other hand, are very different from federal loans. Private loans can’t be consolidated after a student graduates from college or graduate school, and there are no limits as to what the interest rate will be for a private loan.

So a student who signs up for a private student loan at six percent can end up paying as much as 19 percent after they graduate. Private student loans can also check up on a student’s credit history and charge more if a student has poor credit records or no history at all.

Why Private Loans are on the Rise

There are several obvious benefits to using a federal student loan. The lower interest rate is one of them. On the other hand, a private student loan has a reputation for offering a more comprehensive coverage during the course of students’ collegiate careers.

According to Collegebound, tuition and expenses for 4-year of college in the United States increased by five thousand dollars for the 2006-07 academic school years. With these types of costs escalating, parents who are reaching retirement age are finding it hard to fund college and their retirement plan at the same time. Instead of going for a lower amount, but more flexible federal loan, parents are co-signing onto their child’s private loan.

Another reason why a private student loan has become more popular nowadays is the aggressive marketing schemes used by companies who promote private student loans. Students who research various loan sites will encounter thousand upon thousands of possibilities, all offering low rates, and fast application processes. Students who are uninformed about the type of student loans available end up making a poor decision that costs them more money in the end.

Make your time in college - and your time after college - easier by finding the right loan or loans for you. A private student loan will cover your education throughout its entirety and will give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are covered. Speak with your financial advisor to see what they think you ought to do.




By: MIKE SELVON

Unless you plan on being a student the rest of your life, student loan repayment is inevitable, and the ins and outs of student loan repayment can be confusing and overwhelming. The financial advisors at NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company, would like to help clear the murky waters by defining terminology and laying out your student loan repayment options.�

Understanding Your Student Loan Repayment Options

A grace period is a pre-determined amount of time allotted to student borrowers after they leave school or drop below half-time enrollment before they must begin repayment of their federal student loans. Grace periods vary in length based on the type of student loan: Stafford loans have a grace period of six months; Perkins loans have a grace period of nine months. PLUS, Grad Plus and Federal Student Loan Consolidation loans have no grace period.

Deferment allows you to temporarily postpone your student loan payments (in most cases, up to a total of three years over the life of the student loan) if you’re unemployed or experiencing economic hardship. You can also request in-school deferments on your federal student loans while you’re enrolled at least half time.

While you’re in a grace period or in deferment, the interest on your Perkins and subsidized Stafford loans will be paid by the government. But you’ll be responsible for the interest on your PLUS, Grad PLUS and unsubsidized Stafford loans—any unpaid interest that accrues on these student loans during grace and deferment periods will be added to your principal loan balance for you to repay once repayment starts or resumes. If you want to avoid interest being added to your principal loan balance while you’re in a grace period or in deferment, you can choose to make interest-only payments during that time.�

Forbearance also allows you to temporarily postpone your student loan payments. When you’re in a forbearance period, you’ll have to pay any interest that accrues, even on Perkins or subsidized Stafford loans.��

Repayment Plans

Perkins, Stafford, PLUS and Grad PLUS loans have a standard repayment period of 10 years. If your standard monthly payment amount is higher than you’d like, you have three other repayment plans you can choose from that may make your monthly payments more affordable:

Extended Repayment is available to you if your federal student loans total more than $30,000 and if you received your first federal student loan on or after October 7, 1998. Depending on your student loan amount, you could extend your repayment period up to a 25-year term.

Graduated Repayment allows you to make lower payments at the beginning of your repayment term and gradually increases your monthly payment amount over time.

Income-Sensitive Repayment bases your monthly payment amount on your monthly income. You have to submit documentation of your income to qualify, and you have to requalify each year.

Student Loan Consolidation

If you’ve taken out any federal student loans, you’re eligible to apply for a Federal Student Loan Consolidation from NextStudent, which might give you more time to repay your student loans and could substantially reduce your monthly student loan payment.

The repayment term on a student loan consolidation will range from 10 to 30 years, depending on your total outstanding student loan amount. Student loan consolidation loans generally have the standard federal deferment and forbearance benefits.

When your student loan consolidation is in deferment, the government will pay the interest on that portion of your student loan consolidation loan that was originally a Perkins loan or subsidized Stafford loan. During deferment, you’ll only be responsible for paying the interest on that portion of your student loan consolidation loan that was originally a PLUS, Grad PLUS or unsubsidized Stafford loan. When your student loan consolidation loan is in forbearance, you’ll be responsible for paying all interest that accrues.

You can consolidate one or more qualifying federal student loans and take advantage of one easy-to-manage loan with a single monthly payment. Our online applications are fast and easy, and there are no fees to apply for a student loan consolidation.

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we’re dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.




By: Jeff Mictabor