| tart --> | | | | limits with attractive interest rates. They also offer a |
| Students pursuing fulltime education often do not | | | | grace period and students can repay after completion |
| have the comforts of a salaried job. The cost of | | | | of their studies. |
| education is also increasing day by day. Under these | | | | Although the private student loans offer lower |
| conditions student loans have come to the rescue of | | | | interest rates, the rates could be a little higher than |
| the students to fund their education. Student loans | | | | the government loan rates, but it is much lower than |
| are usually given at a low interest as it is for | | | | the rates for other private loans. There are no |
| education. Students normally take the student loan | | | | processing fees associated with the student loans. |
| for a period and amount depending upon their need. | | | | Credit history of the applicant or the co-signer plays |
| They take the only that amount that they would be | | | | a major role in getting a private student loan. |
| able to pay back practically. Student loans can also | | | | International students can acquire these private loans |
| supplement scholarships, grants and personal savings. | | | | with the help of a co-signer. The loan amount is paid |
| There are broadly four types of student loans | | | | directly to the school by the lender and the remaining |
| depending on their source: | | | | money is given to the student as living expenses. |
| 1. Government Student Loans - Government student | | | | A word about student loan consolidations...... |
| loans are issued by the Department of Education and | | | | Unemployed student loan consolidation works just like |
| are granted directly to the students. The students | | | | any other loan consolidation. It combines various loans |
| need to repay the loan with interest when their | | | | into a single consolidated loan. This takes care of |
| studies get over. They usually have a low interest | | | | various debts. Depending on the total loan amount |
| rate. The amount of money a student can borrow is | | | | and availability of security/collateral unemployed |
| decided by the lender. | | | | student can apply for a secured or an unsecured |
| 2. Parent Student Loans - Parent student loans are | | | | debt consolidation. Unsecured debt consolidation can |
| issued to the parents of dependent students. So the | | | | be used for smaller amounts that are below |
| parent has to make the repayments on completion | | | | £25,000. Secured debt consolidation can be |
| of his/her child's study. | | | | used to borrow larger amounts like |
| 3. Private Student Loans - Private Student Loans are | | | | £25,000-£75,000. Repayment time for |
| issued by private institutions like banks, lenders, etc. | | | | secured unemployed debt consolidation is normally |
| Like other types of student loans they finance the | | | | 10-30 years and the interest rates are also lower |
| studies of the student by granting a loan, which is to | | | | than the unsecured debt consolidated loans. |
| be repaid on completion of the studies. Here rate of | | | | Advantages of Unemployed student loan |
| interest is higher than the government student loans. | | | | consolidation |
| 4. Other Loans - Other sources of student loans | | | | 1. A single monthly payment instead of several |
| could be something like a home equity loan, which | | | | payments |
| offers tax benefits. | | | | 2. Overall monthly payment is less than the sum of |
| Since grants and scholarships are far and few | | | | the earlier installments. |
| student loans have become an increasingly popular | | | | 3. No credit check or processing fees. |
| method of financing one's studies. | | | | 4. The consolidated interest rate is lower than the |
| About private student loans: | | | | earlier rate |
| Private student loans have all the features of | | | | Students can look at electronic debit option to save |
| government loans and potentially can be the best | | | | money and avoid missing payments. |
| choice for some students. They offer higher loan | | | | |