Education is the must for any person looking to do well in life. Finding a school is easy, getting into one is harder, but having to pay for it can end up causing you not to attend at all. Thankfully there are student loans available that make it easier for you to be able to afford school. Below you will find important tips on how to apply for student loans, so keep reading.
Keep in mind that there's a grace period to follow before it's time to pay a loan back. This is typically a six to nine month period after your graduation before repayments start. Knowing when this is over will allow you to know when to pay your payments on time so you don't have a bunch of penalties to take care of.
Start your student loan search by looking at the safest options first. These are generally the federal loans. They are immune to your credit rating, and their interest rates don't fluctuate. These loans also carry some borrower protection. This is in place in case of financial issues or unemployment following your graduation from college.
If you are having a hard time paying back your student loans, call your lender and let them know this. There are normally several circumstances that will allow you to qualify for an extension and/or a payment plan. You will have to furnish proof of this financial hardship, so be prepared.
Think carefully when choosing your repayment terms. Most public loans might automatically assume a decade of repayments, but you might have an option of going longer. Refinancing over longer periods of time can mean lower monthly payments but a larger total spent over time due to interest. Weigh your monthly cash flow against your long-term financial picture.
Try getting a part-time job to help with college expenses. Doing this can help you cover some of your student loan costs. It can also reduce the amount that you need to borrow in student loans. Working these kinds of positions can even qualify you for your college's work study program.
Never ignore your student loans because that will not make them go away. If you are having a hard time paying the money back, call and speak to your lender about it. If your loan becomes past due for too long, the lender can have your wages garnished and/or have your tax refunds seized.
Know how long you have between graduation and the commencement of loan payments. If you have Stafford loans, you will usually have about 6 months. For a Perkins loan, this period is 9 months. There are other loans with different periods. Know precisely when you need to start paying off your loan so that you are not late.
Try shopping around for your private loans. If you need to borrow more, discuss this with your adviser. If a private or alternative loan is your best bet, make sure you compare items like repayment options, fees, and interest rates. Your school may recommend some lenders, but you're not required to borrow from them.
Be sure your lender knows where you are. Keep your contact information updated to avoid fees and penalties. Always stay on top of your mail so that you don't miss any important notices. If you fall behind on payments, be sure to discuss the situation with your lender and try to work out a resolution.
After reading the above article, you now know how important it is to get a student loan. Since you just read good tips on how to apply for one, you can rest easy when that high bill comes in that demands payment for school. Remember these tips the next time you have to pay for your schooling.
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