Private loan » Federal Family Education

Basis and Understanding – School Loan Forgiveness

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:07:11 +0000

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

What You Need to Know About Federal Student School Loans

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:54:30 +0000

School loans are considered “financial aid” but differ greatly from scholarships and grants because loans need to be paid back. There are three major types of loans, Federal Student Loans, Federal Loans for parents, and Private Loans. This article focuses on the most common type of school loan, the Federal Student Loans.

As the name implies these loans are given directly to the student by the government. Within this main category there are two types of loans; subsidized, which means that the interest is paid by the government while the student is in school, and unsubsidized, which means that the student must pay the interest. However, with unsubsidized loans there is the option to have the interest payments put on hold and added to the total loan until the student is done with school and in a better position to make payments. Subsidized loans are reserved for students who demonstrate a financial need: usually low family income.

Loan amounts are decided based on the students needs, and the students access to family resources, scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid. Nearly all full-time students are eligible for at least some amount of loan. Both the subsidized and unsubsidized loans offer a six-month grace period to allow the student to find a job in their field and become more financially stable before payments are due. If a borrower becomes a part-time student there is a three-month grace period before payments are due. With Federal Student Loans there is a limited amount that a student can borrow each year.

There are two ways that a student may receive Federal Student Loans; Federal Direct Students Loans (FDLP) or Federal Family Education Loans. FDLP loans start with funds from the U.S. Treasury, these funds are then sent through the U.S. Department of Education and then distributed to the college or university. The school then uses it to pay school expenses and the remainder is available for the student to withdraw. Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL or FFELP) are funded by private banking organizations. The advantage of FFELP loans is that students have payment options available to them that are similar to the options available when taking out a home loan or consumer loan.

Students can apply for Federal student loans online. Most universities and colleges provide computers in their financial aid office where students can apply with the help of people who use the system constantly. Applying online is done through a program called Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. By applying online you will automatically be considered for any type of aid including grants, which do not have to be paid back. Applying online can help you find out how much help you will be receiving as much as seven days faster, which will make it easier to secure other funds if necessary.

If a student has turned in a FAFSA application in the past, they can use something called a renewal FAFSA that automatically inserts information that does not change such as name and the school you are attending. This makes the process even faster. Students are also able to sign their application by using a pin number given to them by FAFSA, so there is absolutely no paperwork to be sent through the mail.

By: Chris Simons

Student Loans 101

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:33:40 +0000

When it comes to furthering your education, you must have student loans to do it. It is rather simple to get extra funding to cover your school costs when scholarships and grants do not add up to enough funding. There are student loans out there for you to apply for as well as private loans and loan consolidation if you need it.

Student loans are available through the federal government and they are the biggest source when it comes to education loans. The most popular federal loans are Federal Stafford loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students or PLUS. The Federal Stafford Loans are available to both graduate and undergraduate students. The Federal Perkins Loans are given by colleges to those who need it the most and these loans require no payment of interest while the student is attending school. PLUS student loans are low interest and are available through the financial aid office of the school your student is attending or through the Sallie Mae foundation. This student loan covers all expenses, including room and board and books, which you as a parent were going to be financially responsible for. Two programs are responsible for federally funded loans. One is the Federal Family Education Loan Program in which the lender can be your school or bank. The other program is the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program where the lender is the U.S. Department of Education.

Private student loans are available to you when a scholarship, grant, or federal loan falls short of your tuition costs and other expenses like books or living. They are also called alternative loans. A private student loan is not sponsored by the government and therefore no federal papers will be needed to be signed by you. It is a loan that is offered through a bank or other financial institution. To obtain this type of student loan, credit is reviewed by each lender from you, your parent(s), and in some cases, a co-signer may be needed. The Sallie Mae program offers a private loan program for both graduates and undergraduates. Other private student loans include MEDLOANS and MBA LOANS. Loan consolidation is a great move when you have several loans to pay off. When you consolidate, your student loans with their various repayment schedules can be condensed down into one simple payment. An FFEL consolidation loan will give you a one-month payment option and they will contact credit bureaus and notify them that you have a zero balance. You must be in repayment of your defaulted loan with three on time payments to be able to obtain a FFEL student consolidation loan.

copyright 2005, 4th Media Corporation

By: Natalie Aranda

Everything You Need to Know About Student Loans

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:48:15 +0000

This article discusses everything that you should know about student loans.
If you don’t want to hire a student loan counselor then it is imperative that you read this article!

The Types of Student Loans

Private loans, Federal loans are the two types of student loans.

Federal loans can be deferred. Private loans have different terms.

A Federal Perkins Loan is a long term student loan with low interest. The college or university collects the payments. You should discuss and understand the terms of a Federal Perkins Loan with your college or university.

A Federal Family education loan or a Stafford loan consist of subsidized or unsubsidized terms. With a Subsidized Stafford Loan the government covers the interest on your student loan as long as you are enrolled in school and taking 6 or more credits. You can qualify by meeting the criteria for financial need. On the contrary with an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan the student must pay the interest on the loan while they are enrolled in school.

Another type of student loan is parent loans for undergraduates. No credit check is
made for federal student loans. But a credit check is required for parent loans.

Know your Student Loan Payment Options

You can increase the length of your student loans payment time to lower your monthly payments. You can also default payments your student loan payments. To default your student loan means: to not make any payments or arrangements for payments for at least 270 days. You can deffer your Student loans which means: put making payments off for some time. If you have a federal subsidized loan and you default your loan will not accumulate interest. This is good because the amount that you owe on your student loan will not increase. However once you start making the payments again you can expect the interest to began to go up as well.

Know your Student Loan Grace Periods

There are different options during the student loan grace period. The student loan grace period lasts for the first 3 months after you graduate college. This is the time to take advantage of your student loan repayment options. Find more information regarding student loan grace periods by referring to the resource box.

Know when to Consolidate Student Loans

Well the truth is student loan consolidation is not the answer for everyone who has a student loan. This is something that many students don’t know.

Federal loans should consolidated separately from private loans because this allows you to get the best possible interest rates for each type of loan. It may be more beneficial
in some cases not to consolidate student loans because the payment plan may be extended so long it turns into a mortgage (30 year) . Student loan consolidation counselors get paid the big bucks to help you figure out this information. Don’t spend another penny on a student loan counselor when you can get free information and free consultations from student loan lenders all over.

By: Melvin Le

Great Lakes Student Loans Services Manage Loans for Lenders, Borrowers

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:41:48 +0000

The student loan industry is huge, and it is expanding as college costs rise. With students looking for ways to get into college and capital holders looking for ways to safely and lucratively invest their money, Great Lakes student loans management helps unite people who want to study with people who want to invest in their education.

Great Lakes offers all the federal loans available through the Federal Family Education Loan Program. This includes Stafford loans, which offer some funding for every year a student is in school. These can be subsidized by the federal government on a need basis, meaning that until the student finishes school, the government pays the interest on the loan, allowing the student to defer payment without capitalizing the interest. Students with unsubsidized loans also have the option of paying off the loan or just the interest while they study to avoid capitalizing the interest later.

Other federal loans include PLUS loans, which are offered to parents of students in any year of college and to graduate students in addition to the Stafford loan. This loan comes with a minimal credit requirement, which can be met using a cosigner. Federal loans are offered through the FFEL as well as directly from the Department of Education, in order to enforce a standard maximum fixed interest rate, but share the burden (and opportunity) of funding student loans between the government and lenders. By managing FFEL student loans, Great Lakes makes it possible for private investors to tap into this market.

Great Lakes also offers private or non-traditional student loans, tailored to meet both the financial needs of students and the investment and security needs of lenders. These loans make it possible for students to pay the remaining costs of their education after federal loans.

Great Lakes offers a number of services for prospective students and lenders which serve to help students plan their education, help lenders increase their business, and to generally promote higher education, which, as a higher education guaranty corporation, serves Great Lakes’ interests. These resources include pamphlets and online resources outlining the benefits of receiving a college education, loan calculators for students, and loan education resources for lenders, borrowers, schools, and counselors and financial aid professionals.

For lenders and borrowers who have already established a relationship, Great Lakes has online resources for borrowers and management software for lenders. Great Lakes offers personal financial management resources for students, as well as mutually beneficial resources for helping students avoid defaulting on loans, including consolidation options.

Great Lakes student loans services help students pay for their education by providing lenders who are interested in investing in their future.

By: Adam Hefner

Are Their Student Loans For Undergraduates?

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:27:59 +0000

Normally, students tend to rely on federal student loans to finance their education as they provide a variety of deferment options and extended repayment terms. The most beneficial student loans include Stafford and Perkins loans with the opportunity for the undergraduates to get these loans as well.

Federal Student Loans for Undergraduates

Stafford Loan

These loans have two variations:

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs are the ones which are administered by direct lending school and the US government makes them available directly to the students and their parents.

Federal Family Education Loan Program are the ones provided by the private lenders like banks, credit unions etc. Such loans are guaranteed against default.

Effective from July 1, 2007, the Stafford loans have allowed the dependent undergraduates that they can borrow up to $3,500 for their freshman year. They can borrow up to $4500 in their sophomore year. However, there are some cumulative limits of $23,000 for undergraduate education. They also offer a combined limit of $65,500 for both undergraduate and graduate.

Effective from July, 2008, the interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans have been reduced according to The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. These interest rates are applicable only for undergraduate students and only for subsidized Stafford loans.

Interest rates on the subsidized federal loans for graduate student will remain same at 6.8%. But in case of undergraduate students, there are many fluctuations expected in the interest rates of Stafford loans.

Repayment in case of Stafford loan begins after six months when a student graduates or drops below the half time enrolment. The total repayment period is 10 years. However, you can have alternate repayment terms on consolidation the loans.

Perkins Loans

Perkins Loans are awarded to all graduate and undergraduate students who are in exceptional financial needs. This is considered as a campus based loan program in which a school acts as the lender and makes use of limited funds they get from the federal government. Perkins Loans are subsidized loans as the interest rate is paid by the federal government while you are in school or having 9 months grace period. With Perkins loans, you have to pay only 5% interest rates with a 10 years repayment period. The amount you can receive under Perkins Loans is decided by the Financial Aid Office which is $4,000 per year for undergraduate students. Cumulative limits for undergraduate loans are $20,000 and $40,000 for undergraduate and graduates combined.

Pell Grants

Pell Grants award $4,310 per year to undergraduate students who have not earned their university degree yet. Eligibility for undergraduate student loans with Pell grants is based upon the Expected Family Contribution which is calculated on the form of FAFSA.

Private Student Loans for Undergraduates

There are lots of private lenders which offer loans for undergraduate students to help them complete their studies. Access group is the best choice for undergraduate students who are seeking loans to pay for schools. The Comprehensive Access Loan is basically designed for the undergraduate students although it works for other students as well and allows you to complete your program or degree at your own pace. If you remain enrolled at least part time, you have a repayment period of 10 years. With these loans, you get a nine month grace period after you complete your graduation or stop attending school.

To get approved for such loans you need:

To earn a minimum credit bureau score.
To have three years of US Established credit history in your name. Also you must include in it 4 non-student loan trades at least one opened for 36 months.

By: Steve Morin