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Here's an up-to-date report of
consolidating student loans in default
Parent Loans or Student Loans what is going to be best for my child? Parent Loans or Student Loans what is going to be best for my child?
At least 20% of college students need some type of loan to help pay for their college education. Such a statistic can lead to students graduating with an unmanageable debt load. An alternative is for parents to help out by taking out loans themselves. But which is the better option student loans or parent loans? Each has distinct advantages and uses.
Federal student loans Federal student loans have the lowest interest rates and best repayment options. If you need to take out loans and you qualify for federal loans, this is your best choice. Just be sure to accept only the funds you need, even if you are offered much more. Parents can always help their children pay off these loans once repayment begins after graduation.
Federal parent loans PLUS Loans (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) are another loan option that comes with low interest rates. If you are a parent with dependent students attending college at least part-time and you have a good credit history, you are eligible to receive a PLUS Loan. These loans are not needs-based. You can borrow up to the total cost of undergraduate education expenses, minus other financial aid already received. Unlike federal student loans, payment is not deferred until after graduation; instead, your first loan payment will be due about 60 days after the loan is disbursed. Also unlike federal student loans, PLUS Loans require an application fee.
Private loans Both students and parents can take out private loans to cover funding gaps. Terms are basically the same for these loans, although students may be able to have their repayment deferred until after graduation. Another consideration is that students may wish to take out small loans to begin to establish a credit history. You may need to cosign for private student loans.
Other options Parents do have some additional options for college funding, such as home equity loans. These often have rates as good as private loans.
So which type of loan should I get? This really comes down to a personal decision. Ask yourself these questions as you are trying to decide:
-What level of debt do you feel is manageable for your child to graduate with? -How important is it to you that your child takes responsibility for paying student loans? -Will you and your child work out a repayment plan to repay PLUS Loans and other parent loans?
This article is distributed by NextStudent. At NextStudent, we believe that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we're dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. We invite you to learn more about Parent Loans or Student Loans at http://www.NextStudent.com .
About the Author My goal is to help every student succeed - education is one of hte most important things a person can have, so I have made it my personal mission to help every student pay for their education. Aside from that, I am just a pretty average girl from SD.
More Useful Resource and Updates on consolidating student loans in default
- Emerson College settles with AG (Boston Business Journal)
Emerson College has reached a tentative settlement with state Attorneys General investigating its student lending practices, according to a financial statement the college filed earlier this month.
- Campus clips (Chico Enterprise-Record)
Here are some brief happenings at Chico State University and Butte College: Money on Target for kids Students in Free Enterprise at Chico State received a $5,000 grant from Target.
- Options for Reducing Student Loan Debt (Washington Post)
When she graduates from Columbia University next year with a master's degree in public health, Erin Wheeler is hoping to get a job in international reproductive health.
- Recent college graduates fight load of debt (Blairsville Dispatch)
Loan consolidation options are more limited now than they were for students who graduated college a few years ago. The U.S. Department of Education is nearly the only loan consolidator in the nation as many lenders have suspended consolidations because of the credit crunch.
- Blagojevich administration offers financial assistance to nurses working in veterans homes (Bureau County Republican)
CHICAGO ? While many hard working Illinoisans are facing the challenges of the national economic crisis, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich is reminding nurses throughout the state that financial assistance is available to help them pay off student loans if working at Illinois Veterans? Homes.
- How safe is your job? (The New Statesman)
This has been a year of financial panic, but 2009 will be dominated by unemployment. In a flexible labour market, with few legal protections, the indebted young will be hit hardest
- Demand for student loans on the rise; cash is short (Austin American-Statesman)
Carlos Richardson , a sophomore studying psychology at Austin Community College, hasn't had to take out student loans ? yet.
- Student-loan consolidation choices shrink (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Kari Schoeneweis will face more than $60,000 in student loan debt when she graduates from Carlow University in spring. he plans to do what her older siblings did and consolidate her loans to reduce the monthly payments.
- World Facing Shortage Of Large Animal Veterinarians (CattleNetwork.com)
UNIVERSITY PARK, Penn. -- The United States is facing a shortage of large-animal veterinarians that could jeopardize the nation's food supply, and result in diseases spreading from animals to humans, according to a veterinary scientist in Penn State?s College of Agricultural Sciences.
- Student-loan consolidation choices shrink (Centre Daily Times)
Kari Schoeneweis will face more than $60,000 in student loan debt when she graduates from Carlow University in spring.
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