College Scholarships vs Student Loans

There is no way you can compare the value ofon family income, can take a Stafford student loan.
college scholarships against student loans. WhoThe beauty of this loan is that the U.S. Department
wouldn't want a college scholarship that wouldof Education pays the interest that accrues while the
provide grant money that did not have to be repaidstudent is in college and for six months after
versus paying back money borrowed plus interest.graduation.
Simply put, a scholarship is your money to spend onOther loans are called "non-subsidized" student loans.
college. A student loan is just that: Borrowed moneyThese loans are not given based on need, and any
that must be repaid.student can request an unsubsidized student loan.
A college scholarship is real money that a student isWith a non-subsidized loan students are charged
granted to use for such things as college tuition,interest from the day the check is delivered. For both
room and board and other expenses as allowed byloans the principal payments will begin 6 months after
the stipulations of the college scholarship. A studentgraduation, but as mentioned, the non-subsidized
loan is money loaned to students for college tuitionstudent loan would have interest payments due from
and other expenses, but students pay interestday one of the loan.
immediately as soon as the check is usedTherefore, it is always in a student's best interest to
The best type of college scholarship is one that istake the time to search for college scholarships. This
granted for all four years of college. Thesemeans searching for awards even after they are
scholarships are called "renewable." On the otheraccepted to a school, and searching for scholarships
hand, a student loan is typically taken out each yearduring college. The goal is to have a student graduate
from a loan granting institution or sometimes fromwith the smallest amount of debt in student loans as
the college itself. The interest rate on the loan willpossible. This means taking advantage of college
vary.scholarships as much as possible, and covering extra
Some loans are called "subsidized" loans. Studentsexpenses with loans or job income.
who are eligible for subsidized student loans, based