College students go off to college with a head full of dreams for their future. They are often offered many types of student loans that are all too easy to get. So they sign up without thinking if the future consequences. But keep the advice from this article in mind to avoid making a costly college disaster. Lets read Student Loans Tips For Students And Parents.
Tips for student loan:
If you have any student loans, it’s important to pay attention to what the pay back grace period is. This is generally the period after graduation when the payments are due. Knowing this allows you to make sure your payments are made on time so you can avoid penalties.
Familiarize yourself with the unique terms:
If you are moving or your number has changed, make sure that you give all of your information to the lender. Interest begins to accrue on your loan for every day that your payment is late. This is something that may happen if you are not receiving calls or statements each month. If you’ve taken out more than one student loan, familiarize yourself with the unique terms of each one. Different loans will come with different grace periods, interest rates, and penalties. Ideally, you should first pay off the loans with high interest rates. Private lenders generally charge higher interest rates than the government.
Types of financial aid:
Before applying for student loans, it is a good idea to see what other types of financial aid you are qualified for. There are many scholarships available out there and they can reduce the amount of money you have to pay for school. Once you have the amount you owe reduced, you can work on getting a student loan. Be sure you understand the terms of loan forgiveness. Some programs will forgive part or all of any federal student loans you may have taken out under certain circumstances. For example, if you are still in debt after ten years has passed and are working in a public service, nonprofit or government position, you may be eligible for certain loan forgiveness programs.
Traditional repayment period:
Try getting your student loans paid off in a 10-year period. This is the traditional repayment period that you should be able to achieve after graduation. If you struggle with payments, there are 20 and 30-year repayment periods. The drawback to these is that they will make you pay more in interest. It is best to get federal student loans because they offer better interest rates. Additionally, the interest rates are fixed regardless of your credit rating or other considerations. Additionally, federal student loans have guaranteed protections built in. This is helpful in the event you become unemployed or encounter other difficulties after you graduate from college.
The unsubsidized Stafford loan:
The unsubsidized Stafford loan is a good option in student loans. Anyone with any level of income can get one. The interest is not paid for your during your education; however, you will have 6 months grace period after graduation before you have to start making payments. This kind of loan offers standard federal protections for borrowers. The fixed interest rate is not greater than 6.8%. To get the most out of your student loan dollars, take a job so that you have money to spend on personal expenses, rather than having to incur additional debt. Whether you work on campus or in a local restaurant or bar, having those funds can make the difference between success or failure with your degree.
Loans from multiple lenders:
If you take out loans from multiple lenders, know the terms of each one. Some loans, such as federal Perkins loans, have a nine-month grace period. Others are less generous, such as the six-month grace period that comes with Family Education and Stafford loans. You must also consider the dates on which each loan was taken out, as this determines the beginning of your grace period.
Final Words:
Stretch your student loan money by minimizing your living expenses. Find a place to live that is close to campus and has good public transportation access. Walk and bike as much as possible to save money. Cook for yourself, purchase used textbooks and otherwise pinch pennies. When you look back on your college days, you will feel very resourceful. Avoiding a student loan disaster can be achieved by borrowing wisely. That may mean that you might not be able to afford your dream college or that you may have to adjust your expectations of college life. But those decisions will pay off in the future when you get your degree and don’t have to spend half of your life paying back student loans.