Posts Tagged ‘Loans Student’

Deferred Student Loans will Save Money

March 14th, 2010



Deferred student loans are student loans in which the payments are postponed or suspended for a period of time. Federal loans, such as federal subsidized Stafford loans and the federal unsubsidized Stafford loans are examples of this type of loan.

In the case of a federal subsidized Stafford loan, repayment of the educational or student loan is deferred until the student has already graduated from the course, has a job, and is ready to begin paying off the loan. The beauty of the federal subsidized Stafford loan is that the government itself pays for the interest during the course of the student’s education. The federal subsidized Stafford loan also gives the student a longer period of time in some cases as much as thirty years, within which to pay off the loan. This has the effect of significantly lowering the amount of the monthly repayments making them a lot easier to cope with.

In order to qualify for the subsidized Stafford loan, one does not need a good credit rating. In fact, Stafford loans are usually not credit-based. However, to be able to obtain a subsidized Stafford loan, one must at least belong to a family demonstrating severe financial need. Students belonging to families with an annual income that is less than $50,000 are more likely to be given priority than students belonging to families with an annual income of $100,000.00. Because of this, and also because it presents lower interest rates, and easier and better terms and conditions, the subsidized Stafford loan is usually the first and ultimate choice of many students.

The federal unsubsidized Stafford loans are also a kind of deferred loan. Just like the federal subsidized Stafford loan, repayment of this type of loan may also be deferred or postponed until the student has already graduated from college. However, the student himself shoulders all the interests accrued during the period of schooling. The accumulated interest is then added to the principal loan amount, so the total loan amount becomes higher than the original amount applied for. Nevertheless, one is allowed a considerably longer grace period to be able to settle the amount in full.

Deferred student loans enable a student to fulfill his dream of completing a college degree without having to worry about educational expenses while he is still in school. The mere fact of going to college may already be quite burdensome and anxiety-provoking. But the burden and anxiety may be significantly lessened if one does not have to worry about money matters, like paying for his education, for instance.

Deferred student loansmay just be the best option for student loans there is. Not surprisingly, therefore, many students prefer to apply for this type of student loan first before applying for other types of loans.

By: Jim Kesel

Direct Student Loans – Lower Interest Rate, Easier Repayment

March 13th, 2010



Education in colleges can be very expensive and may force students to drop the idea of further pursuing their degree. But there is always the option of direct student loans for students to pay the high college education fees. So the student has not to worry at all. The interest rate of such loans is also low. Hence, students can easily pay their education fees without any tension and can get finish their education thereby joining their hands in the development of the nation.

Direct student loans are offered by the US Department of Education. They do not involve private lenders and hence, the student is taking a loan from the federal government directly. Direct student loans are available in two options: subsidized and unsubsidized, so that all students can avail this loan as per their requirement necessity and need. In case of subsidized rate plan till the college education of a student is over, he won’t be charged the subsidized rate of interest. Meanwhile, for an unsubsidized direct student loan, the interest rate is charged from the time of approval till the complete repayment. But the rate of interest of such loans is quite low as compared to subsidized direct student loans.

For repayment of direct student loans, the student has enough time, ranging from 10 to 25 years. If the student cannot manage to pay the loan amount on time, there are a lot of ways under direct student loans for deferring the payment, though the student may have to pay some penalties. The repayment duration of a direct student loan can also be extended.

A free form of Federal Student Aid, filled up, makes you a direct student loan candidate automatically. All you have to do is accept the fact that you’re ready to take the loan and the loan amount will be deposited into your account immediately.

By: Steve C Clark

How Do Student Loans Work Once You Are Married?

March 6th, 2010



There are number of effects on the eligibility of student loans depending on student’s age and the employment status of the spouse. Some of them are positive and they give greater eligibility for student loans. Some effects are neutral and they don’t make much change in student’s eligibility for student loans. But mostly the eligibility decreases for student loans. In some cases, the marriage results in such a high penalty that it can be called a disincentive to marriage.

There is an assumption made that all students are married to some other students. Government has setup rule that require the spouses of married students to pay close to 90 percent of any income over $20,000 in taxes or contributions to their spouse. If the spouse contributes to this amount, the student will have to pay a funding shortfall that government is not responsible for.

According to different surveys in US, average one out of ten students is married. Married students are usually older than the unmarried students. Approximately, two-third of all married students is older than 25 years of age.

Married students receive very less attention as a student sub-group. If they have children then they might be eligible for special grants i.e. for Students with Dependents and for higher student loans as well. Student loan programs treat married people very differently than the unmarried ones and they need extra inquiries. This separate treat is to benefit the students.

Different options for student loans disbursement depending on the students’ status are:

For Dependent Students:

If the spouse of a student doesn’t work at all, then no changes will be made in student loans, if parents are low-income otherwise eligibility increases. If the spouse works, then it depends on spousal and parental income but in most cases, the eligibility decreases.

For Independent Students:

If the spouse does not work so no changes apply to the eligibility criteria at all. If the spouse works then eligibility decreases in all cases.

So, the solution to all these problems due to marriage is that families should contribute to the costs of a student’s post-secondary education. This principle is widely accepted in US student loans programs. But this doesn’t mean that spouses should pay thousands of dollars more than parents at equivalent levels of income, for the very simple reason that no one in government actually believes that this should be the case.

By: Steve Morin