| If you're reading this, the first thing we are assuming | | | | is to look back-get offers from as many as possible |
| is you've already gone through all options for | | | | and compare. Tell them you are comparing. Give |
| financing your education with federal loans. Private | | | | them a chance to make a lower bid. Remember, |
| loans should be the last alternative after all federal | | | | they want your business and they will compete for it. |
| options have been exhausted. Through all the | | | | Other things to remember: make sure you have all |
| government red tape there are very distinct | | | | you financial information on hand and ready. Another |
| advantages: fixed interest rates, and Stafford loans | | | | thing is to have a co-signee with good credit, this can |
| don't even check your credit. | | | | get you even better offers from private lenders. You |
| That said, and you're still here, we assume that your | | | | should also know that student loans are viewed as |
| credit isn't the best; but here's the thing: you can | | | | low-risk, because you cannot skip from these even if |
| definitely get financing, and quickly. You don't have to | | | | you declare bankruptcy. |
| take the first offer dangled in front of you. Private | | | | Sure, all these would take a little work to do; a bit of |
| student lending is a huge multi-million dollar business | | | | due diligence, but it's a good guide line that can be |
| and these private lenders are out there looking for | | | | applied to everything else in life. You don't want to |
| yours. Even if your credit isn't that good--sure some | | | | be paying for something many years down the road |
| lenders will downright reject your application. The key | | | | if it can be avoided now, with just a little research. |