Private loan

Given that the costs of college education are on the rise, students turn to loans to help finance their necessities. Among the most reliable of these are federal loans because of the low interest rates and light payment options.

However, federal loans are becoming less available particularly in community colleges. The reason for this is that most students who apply for these loans are those who are taking up 2-year degrees. Unlike students pursuing 4-year degree programs, students under 2-year degree courses pay less school-related expenses. It only takes them a couple of years to graduate, after which they can immediately seek full-time work.

This situation may favor loan boards and appear to address increasing student debt. However, scrapping federal loans in community colleges seem to miss the point.

What college administrators do not realize is that federal loans do not only help students finance their college needs but also tide them through when they have little money for everyday expenses. These loans also act as their operational capital while investing time and effort to land jobs after the semester ends.

While it’s true that aside from federal loans, community colleges also offer private loans and credit card loans, these loans are much more expensive and have higher borrowing standards that most low-income students cannot afford.

Other government and private scholarships as well as other forms of financial aid, are also available for these students to apply for. But federal loans make up an important percentage of student aid, so these should be made more accessible, not less.

By: Fae Cheska Esperas

Cancellation of all or some part of the educational loan under certain circumstances or conditions rendered by the federal government is what school loan forgiveness connote. Inshort, forgiveness is a practice in which an individual has to serve the public in order to waive off some or whole of the school loan.

In order to qualify for forgiveness certain eligibility criteria is set. This includes- serving the military, doing voluntary work, to teach or practice medicine in selected communities’ etc. School loan forgiveness is designed specifically for students so that they are able to achieve their educational objectives. By doing so, this will help them get stable jobs in particular occupations.

However, it is only applicable if the student takes up educational loan under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

The school Forgiveness Program is applicable to few selected fields/programs or professions these include,

- Federal Child Care Provider Loan

- Federal Teacher Loan

- Armed Forces Loan

Apart from this, there are certain private, non-profit organizations that are affiliated with the Federal Family Education Loan program. This affiliation gives them authority to offer school loan forgiveness to students provided that they fulfill certain work-related requirements.

School loan programs:

Forgiveness programs are being offered to teachers to nurses to young doctors as well as lawyers and Peace Corps.

For teachers who are working at low-income schools such as elementary school or secondary school may avail the school loan forgiveness program and cancel up to $5,000 of their Federal Stafford loan debt.

For young professionals serving as doctors and lawyers, forgiveness can prove to be a blessing in disguise as they are burdened with a debt that ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 which is very common.

The National Health Service Corps offer forgiveness to the students enrolled in medicinal programs on the basis that they serve the communities for two years. By availing this program they can wipe out as much as $25,000 every year.

Moreover, the same offer is also valid and open to lawyers or legal advisors who pursue their career at public legal firms. Around fifty law schools are offering school loan forgiveness programs.

Equal Justic Works, formerly known as National Association of Public Interest Law, has a list of schools on its website that offer school loan forgiveness program. By not availing school loan forgiveness many legal representatives can not practice at low-paying public interest law firms.

By: Sara Sentor

Everyone knows that college can be very expensive. It is an investment in your future and should be handled as such. Hopefully you have some sort of savings to start. If not, that does not mean that college is beyond your reach.

Your first step to securing your financial future is to apply for scholarships and grants. These types of student aid do not have to be repaid. Therefore, they are going to be your best and first option when it comes to paying for college. The problem with scholarships and grants is that not everyone qualifies. Even if you do qualify, the amount that you receive may not be enough to cover all of your expenses. This is where student loans come in.

Student loans can be taken out by students to help pay for college. Student loans have special provisions to help students with little or no credit qualify. Student loans are granted under the assumption that once you graduate, you should be able to make a higher income and pay back the loans.

A lot of students are under the assumption that they will graduate college and get a job paying them a hefty salary. This is not always the case. Many jobs require a few years experience at one company before they will pay you for what you may think you are worth. Therefore, paying back student loans may not be as easy as you had planned.

This is where the benefits of student loans over conventional loans come in. For one, you are not expected to make payments or accrue interest on your student loans until after you graduate. These types of loans are set up with all sorts of provisions for repayment. If you get into a bind, contact the company that manages your student loans. You may qualify for deferred payments or some other sort of payment help.

Incentives are another thing to consider when you are shopping around for student loans. Many offer interest rates that reduce over time if you make timely payments. Ask about fees and compare payback options. Student loans generally have lower fees and more flexibility than conventional loans. The same is true for private student loans. These allow for a cosigner and you may be able to take advantage of your parent’s good credit.

Getting through school on student loans is a must for most students today. Paying them back on time can really help build your credit and get you off on the right foot. Be responsible with your student loans and shop around before you commit. Making the right decision now can benefit you for years to come. Look for web sites that offer to compare student loans and private student loans from many different companies. This way you are sure to make a decision that you can live with.

By: Evelyn A. Saunders

This article is an overview of ways to have other people make student loan repayments for you, or at least of portion of them. These programs aren’t for everyone, but the shoe probably fits quite a few people.

Join The Military
The SLRP (Student Loan Repayment Program) is used by the military as a recruiting incentive. The Army and Navy can repay up to $65,000 of student debt, and the Air Force will pay up to $10,000. 15% of the loan balance or $500 is paid each year, whichever is greater. Reservists can also take advantage of this program, but in lesser amounts (up to $20,000). There are also a number of loan deferments possible for people in the military. So if you are thinking about joining the military make sure you ask about the SLRP and make sure this benefit is specified in your enlistment agreement. Only federal student loans can be repaid in these programs.

Teachers
There are several programs available for teachers to get help paying off their federal (not private) student debt. The Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program gives eligible teachers grants to repay student loan debt of up to $5,000 after they have taught for 5 consecutive years in a low income school. Teachers can also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. After 10 years in public service a person’s student loan balance can be forgiven. A teacher can enroll in an IBR (Income Based Repayment) Plan during those 10 years, and this will provide the lowest monthly payments possible until the loan is forgiven after 10 years. There are also some state programs available to help teachers pay off their student loan debt. Check the state government web site or call the education department of your state government to inquire if any programs are available that might help you.

Health Care Workers
There are a number of federal programs for student loan repayment that apply to health care workers. Under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, “full-time professionals engaged in health care practitioner occupations and health care support occupations” and “medical specialists” can qualify for up to $10,000 in student loan repayments over a period of five years. Also, Nursing Education Loan Repayment Programs (NELRP) will pay up to 60% of student debt for nurses who work in a critical shortage facility. There are also student loan repayment programs with the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and the National Institute of Health.

Federal Government Workers
If you are employed by the federal government it is possible to obtain loan relief from the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program. This program is designed to retain or attract talent, and the borrower must agree to stay with the agency making the debt payments for 3 years. $10,000 of debt relief can be paid each year up to a total of $60,000.

Legal Workers
In order to attract attorneys to become public defenders, the government has instituted the Loan Repayment for Civil Legal Assistance Attorneys Program. There is a minimum service period of 3 years and up to $6,000 of student debt can be paid off each year with a maximum of $40,000 of debt relief.

Other Options
Of course friends and family can be asked at graduation time to make a financial contribution that will go toward paying off student debt. A couple of interesting web sites exist as well which give credit for many common purchases, and payments are made against student loans to help offset outstanding balances. Among these are upfriends.com. Small amounts can build up over the 10 years or longer life of the loan and make a real impact. Every little bit counts and helps.

By: Walt Ballenberger

Direct student loans are federal government loans provided through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. These types of loans are designed to help students who have graduated from the high school and are continuing their education in colleges, universities or trade schools.

Direct student loans are part of the federal student aid programs administered by the US Department of Education. These loans are not offered through private lenders or companies. The loan agreement is between the student and the US Department of Education, without any agencies as a middle man.

Students that want to apply for direct student loans must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) over the internet and submit all required information and documentation. In addition each student will also have to complete a Master Promissory Note (or MPN). MPN is a legal document that explains the contract between the student and the Department of Education. It also outlines how the loan will be repaid and the specific terms and conditions of the loans.

After awarded with one of the direct student loans, you should sign up and use the Service Center. It provides you all the information of your payments and allows you to view the records on the balance you owe. If you need one, you can also obtain a counselor service from a Direct Loan Servicing site.

To be eligible for direct student loans, a student needs to attend the school that is participating in the direct loan program. Also, the student must be enrolling for at least on a part-time basis.

Types of Direct Student Loans

The two most common direct student loans are: (i) subsidized Stafford loan and (ii) unsubsidized Stafford loan. The subsidized loan has an interest subsidy and paid by the Government. Students who are awarded don’t need to worry about paying interest and hence can concentrate on his or her study in full.

Not all students will receive subsidized direct loans (Stafford loan). Only those students with very few resources and with greater financial needs are qualified for subsidized loans. Students who are dependent, or have parents that are able to help pay for their schooling are usually given the unsubsidized direct loan which doesn’t have an interest subsidy.

For graduate students who are considered independent or have families of their own to support, or no living parents to assist with educational funding can apply for PLUS loans. PLUS loans are low interest loans for graduate students and parents. These loans are under the same criteria as the Stafford loans, you’re required to complete and submit FAFSA and a MPN. Typically direct student loans have a limit on the total amount. Most students manage to get by with loans of $8,000.

Direct student loans have a fixed interest rate that is set every July 1st. There is also a loan fee that can be up to 4%. This fee is usually used to offset the cost of the programs or services.

By: Yvonne Suzannah