Feb 09

Federal School Loans Vs Private Loans – Which is Better?

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Most people need some sort of outside funding to help pay for their college education. When looking for student loans, you have two choices. You can apply for federal loans which are backed by the government or you can seek money from a private lender.

Each method comes with benefits and drawbacks, so it’s hard to say which one is better. This article will explain the benefits of each and help you decide which is right for you.

Federal School Loans

Federal school loans are government regulated. This means that the lenders have to abide by strict rules when it comes to repayment terms on your loans.

For example, interest rates on federal school loans are set at a ceiling by the government and the lender cannot exceed that rate. They can go lower than that, and in some cases they do in order to stay competitive with other lenders, but they must stay below the max. This is good for the borrower because when they take out a federal loan they know what to expect with their interest rate.

Federal loans are typically fixed rates as well, which means the interest rate is set at a specific percentage and won’t change for the entire life of the loan. Fixed rates mean there won’t be any surprises in your payments from month to month. They should be almost exactly the same each month.

The interest you pay on your loans each year on federal loans is tax deductible, too. If you owe a lot of money, you can claim a nice chunk of your payments as deductions.

One final advantage of federal school loans is the flexibility of repayment you’re allowed. If you’d like you can arrange for your loan to be a 10, 20, or even 30 year loan, which will lower your monthly payments and make them more affordable.

Private School Loans

Perhaps the best part of private school loans is the ability to apply for one whenever the need arises. With federal loans you have to fill out the required paperwork ahead of deadlines in order to receive a loan for a given semester. When requesting private loans you can apply at any time.

Another great thing about private loans is they can be used for fringe school expenses, such as books and transportation. Federal loans must be applied to specific expenses, such as tuition and room and board, but private loans can be used for just about anything not covered by federal loans.

Private loans are not need-based, either. This means that no matter your or your parent’s financial situation, you are eligible for private loans. Financial aid and many federal loans consider your financial need before you receive money, and sometimes the amount is reflective of your need. Private loans, on the other hand, will give you the amount you request, provided you meet their credit check criteria.

Which is Better?

Which type of loan is better depends entirely on your personal situation, however, knowing the facts will help you make the best choice for you. This article addresses some of those facts but be sure to discuss the options with your school financial aid office as well.

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Dec 28

Consolidate Federal Student Loans

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When the need for a student loan arises due to the peak of financial challenges in your college years, you can usually can find the funding you need. In many cases a student will have to apply for more than one student loan before reaching graduation. Even if you happen to acquire several student loans, there is no need to panic as graduation nears. Remember that you still have the option to consolidate those loans.

There are basically two major types of student loans. First is the federal student loan which is guaranteed by the US Government through the US Department of Education. They have implemented a Federal Student Aid program as a part of their campaign to provide equal education opportunity for all aspiring college students in the country. Federal student loans are not considered direct loans to the student from the US Government. However the loans are provided by the US Department of Education and a loan servicing institution, When you need to consolidate federal student loans you have the opportunity apply for single loan to accomplish the needed consolidation. One example of federal loans used to make a loan consolidation is a Stafford loan.

As an alternative you can use private sources consolidate your student loans. Private student loans, on the other hand, are administered by privately owned lending institution. Some of the most well known private lending partners are also the leading financial institutions such as Citibank, Chase and Sallie Mae. In general private student loan rates are higher than public sector loans. However there may be more benefits in terms of payment schedules, payment deferments and longer loan repayment schedules.

For those who have incurred a number of federal student loans, the problems of managing the loans can be a problem for some people. As a result many wise student borrowers may opt to consolidate federal student loans in order to better manage their finances and save money.

Once a student has decided to consolidate their federal student loans, there are conditions that must be before they can qualify. First is that they should have more than one federal student loan. Next is that students should be in good standing with each of their existing loan accounts. This means they are either in their six-month grace period or they have already made three monthly repayments for each of the existing loans.

Under the wing of a federal student loan, there are also distinct differences between a subsidized and unsubsidized federal student loan. Although they can still be merged into one loan account, iIt is important to know the type of loans you have before you apply to consolidate your federal student loans.

It is obviously very important for the student to do their research prior to applying to consolidate their student loans. Only then will the student be able to make an informed decision. In many cases a student loan consolidation will save you money and reduce the stress of student loan repayment. Federal student loan consolidation is a wise investment in the future.



By: Jim Kesel

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Dec 23

Student Loans Come in a Variety of Types and Payment Schedules

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There are a number of different types of student loans. They are all created to help students and parents discover the right choice for their respective situation. The overall cost of both private and public colleges are steadily increasing and students need to find the means for funding their education. Deciding which student loan, whether a private or federal student loan, is a very important decision. You will eventually be responsible for paying it back, so research all of your options. &nbsp

What is a Student Loan?

If you are a student who is preparing to borrow money as part of a student loan, prepare to learn all that you can about what a student loan is and why you need it. It is meant to help you as you pursue your collegiate education. Because the cost of education is continually rising, student loans give you more opportunity to go to the school of your choice. Be prepared to begin repaying of the loan a short time after you have finished your education. &nbsp

Types of Student Loans

There are three primary types of student loans available, a federal student loan, a private student loan or a parent loan. Two of the most common federal loans used by students are Stafford loans and Perkins loans. What is beneficial behind a federal student loan is that federal laws regulate the interest rates charged for these programs. A lender has to offer a federal loan at the specified interest rate, which is usually lower than the national interest rate. A federal student loan can also be consolidated after the student graduates, allowing the student loan repayment plan to fall under one large umbrella.

Private student loans are different from federal loans, and students applying for these don’t have to fill out federal forms. Private lenders offer these loans, making them cost more because there is no legal requirement to stay within a certain interest rate. Private loans also require a student to submit their credit history, and the interest and fees paid on the student loans are based upon the student’s credit score. Parents may be required to co-sign for a private student loan, making them responsible if the student has to defer payments at any time.

A parent loan, or the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), is a type of student loan parents apply for to encompass any additional cost their child’s financial aid or student loans won’t cover. PLUS loans, like other federal loans, come with a fixed interest rate. These loans can also be consolidated, like the Stafford and Perkins loans, and parents are fully responsible for repaying PLUS loans to the lender after they are distributed.

Finding student loans that are right for you doesn’t have to be a difficult task. It just takes a little time and research before making a final decision. Talking with your college’s financial advisor can help you go down the right path when choosing a loan. It is important to go over all the student loan repayment options when choosing a loan program from a lender because you will be financially responsible after graduation. Deciding upon the right loan can help you achieve your dreams of higher education.



By: Samantha Ellis

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