Monday, February 16, 2009

What is the Stafford Loan?

By Kay Riter

Will you be starting college soon? Will you be starting next year? If you are, you are probably frantically trying to get the money together to pay for it. College is expensive and you probably won't be able to pay for it with the money you make from one summer job. You'll need to look for scholarships and grants, and save every penny you make.

A lucky few are born into wealth. They are fortunate enough to have their parents foot the bill for their entire college education. Other people are really smart and get full scholarships to college.

The rest of us don't have these luxuries, no matter how hard we try. We have to try to save by going to a state school or a community college first. We apply for every scholarship that we even just remotely qualify for, and we save every penny. After that, we have to get loans.

As bad as it sounds to have to take out a loan, if you can't pay, you have to do it. As much as you hate to do it, it's just what you need to do. Most college students will have to take out a student loan.

Government student loans are the first place you should look. They will always have the lowest interest rate compared to private loans, and especially compared to credit cards. The Stafford Loan should always be your first choice.

The Stafford Loan can be used for any 2 or 4 year college, university, or trade school. It must be used for tuition and you can borrow up to $4,000 each year. You can choose either a subsidized or unsubsidized loan.

If you have great financial need, you may qualify for a subsidized loan. With this loan type, the government will pay the interest on your loan throughout college and until six months after you graduate.

If you need to take out a loan for college, the Stafford loan should be the first place you look. It can help considerably. Just make sure you know you will have to pay it back and that you have a plan to do so. - 15224

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