Getting a student loan allows one to choose a school they may not have been able to attend in the past. On the other hand, loans need not be taken lightly and without knowing what you are doing. The information below can help you sort things out and make educated decisions about your financial and academic future.
Find out what the grace period is you are offered before you are expected to repay your loan. This usually refers to the amount of time you are allowed after you graduate to pay back the loan. Being aware of this information allows you to make your payments in a timely manner so that you do not incur costly penalties.
Always know the pertinent details of your loans. You should always know how much you owe and to whom. Additionally, you should be aware of your repayment obligations. These are three very important factors. This information is essential to creating a workable budget.
Focus initially on the high interest loans. If you pay off the wrong loans first, you could end up paying more than you need to.
Your loans are not due to be paid back until your schooling is complete. Make sure that you find out the repayment grace period you are offered from the lender. Stafford loans provide a six month grace period. Perkins loans often give you nine months. For other loans, the terms vary. It is important to know the time limits to avoid being late.
Choose the right payment option for you. Many loans offer a ten year payment plan. If you don’t think that is right for you, look into other options. For instance, you can possibly spread your payments over a longer period of time, but you will have higher interest. Another option some lenders will accept is if you allow them a certain percentage of your weekly wages. After 20 years, some loans are completely forgiven.
When the time comes to repay student loans, pay them off based on their interest rate. Pay off the highest interest student loans first. Then utilize the extra cash to pay off the other loans. You will not be penalized for speeding up your repayment.
Squeeze in as many possible credit hours as you can to maximize your student loans. Full-time is considered 9 to 12 hours per semester, take a few more to finish school sooner. This helps you keep to aminimum the amount of loan money you need.
The Perkins Loan and the Stafford Loan are both well known in college circles. These two are considered the safest and most affordable. They are a great deal since the government pays your interest while you’re studying. The Perkins loan interest rate is 5%. Subsidized Stafford loans offer interest rates no higher than 6.8 percent.
We all know that many students are totally dependent on student loans. But, without sufficient understanding of the right way to go about securing and repaying them, financial catastrophe can be just around the corner. Use these suggestions to make a wise plan.
