Steps to take before you apply for your Student loan.

It's easy to rush through the loan process. But if you take the time and follow these tips, you could save yourself money in the long run. Avoid Falling into the "Student Loan Pot holes":

• Because some Student Loans are easy to apply for and don't require payments while you're in school, it's tempting to borrow up to the maximum amount even if it is more than you can afford to repay.

 

• Find out how much money you actually need, You may not have to borrow the entire amount.

 

• Consider all your options That can reduce your loan.

 

• Can you hold down expenses?

 

• Can you work more, either in the academic year or during vacations?

 

• Are there scholarships for you? If you reduce spending or bring in more money, the amount you have to borrow goes down.

 

• Go for the Loan with the Best Terms, The lower the interest rate, the less expensive the loan in other words, the less you'll have to repay.

 

 

Starting with least expensive, your loan "shopping list" should be:

• Student Loans

 

• Federal Perkins Loans

 

• Federal Subsidized Stafford or Direct Loans

 

• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford or Direct Loans

 

• Alternative Loans

 

• Some students may have access to a special loan source like the Air Force Aid Society with terms comparable to Perkins or subsidized Stafford/Direct loans. It may be worth your time to look into these possibilities.

 

• Federal PLUS Loans

 

• Private Loans (also called alternative loans)