Whether you are in your first 4 years of college or are attending graduate school you are paying several times more for your college education than your parents and grandparents paid. This increase makes it difficult for students. But there are programs out there that give much needed assistance.
Initially a college student may avail himself of many different programs to pay for college. There are student loans, grants and scholarships and some students must take advantage of all three.
The most common programs for students remain the unsubsidized and subsidized Stafford Loans. Subsidized loans are the most desirable, since the government pays the interest while the student is in school. But they are need-based. Unsubsidized loans are not need-based, making them available to a much wider group of students.
Here are some websites you can visit to see what you might qualify for: http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/find_student_loan/undergrad_student_loan/federal_student_loans/stafford_loans/ and http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp
Graduate students have to work a bit harder for financial aid. Graduate school is more expensive and less scholarship opportunities are available. Typically a graduate student has to work as a research assistant or other employment related to their major to pay their tuition.
In recent times the PLUS loan program has been extended to graduate students. In the past this program was restricted to parents of undergraduate students. Now it has been expanded to include graduate students and rather than making the loan to parents the money is loaned directly to the student.
The Pluses of a PLUS loan
Graduate students have one advantage that many people do not have. Most of them have not yet had the opportunity to get into a lot of debt and have credit problems. Since PLUS loan approval is based on your credit scores many graduate students are able to qualify. - 15224
Initially a college student may avail himself of many different programs to pay for college. There are student loans, grants and scholarships and some students must take advantage of all three.
The most common programs for students remain the unsubsidized and subsidized Stafford Loans. Subsidized loans are the most desirable, since the government pays the interest while the student is in school. But they are need-based. Unsubsidized loans are not need-based, making them available to a much wider group of students.
Here are some websites you can visit to see what you might qualify for: http://www.salliemae.com/get_student_loan/find_student_loan/undergrad_student_loan/federal_student_loans/stafford_loans/ and http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp
Graduate students have to work a bit harder for financial aid. Graduate school is more expensive and less scholarship opportunities are available. Typically a graduate student has to work as a research assistant or other employment related to their major to pay their tuition.
In recent times the PLUS loan program has been extended to graduate students. In the past this program was restricted to parents of undergraduate students. Now it has been expanded to include graduate students and rather than making the loan to parents the money is loaned directly to the student.
The Pluses of a PLUS loan
Graduate students have one advantage that many people do not have. Most of them have not yet had the opportunity to get into a lot of debt and have credit problems. Since PLUS loan approval is based on your credit scores many graduate students are able to qualify. - 15224
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Before considering consolidation as a way to get your debt paid off, research the debt consolidation loan consequences. It's not always the best solution to consolidate your debt. Find out why on the Inside Debt Consolidation website
