I need to apply for a student loan for my son for college ..HELP!!!?
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Start by going to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and filling out the online form for federal student aid. After finding out what you are eligible for in terms of subsidized stafford loans, you can figure out if that is enough to finance your tuition and expenses. Once you have decided how much you will need in stafford loans, shop around for the best rates. All the rates will be very close but each company offers different borrower benefits and while they may seem small, something as little as .25% difference will be significant over the life of the loan.
Becasue of loan limits, you may need more then what you are able to get from stafford loans. If you find that you need more money then you are offered, you may want to try a private student loan.
The best thing to do is compare the different private lenders out there, which can be done at http://www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.phtml
Most of the rates are very similar but do a little research and pick one that you think is best. I would suggest Think Financial. The application process is very quick and easy, and the check is sent directly to you so you can use the money for whatever you want. The limits are much higher with private student loans, up to $40,000 per year. You can find out more information about a Think loan at http://www.thinkfinancial.com . Good Luck.
If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline (this varies by state and by school) there are private student loans available from banks. These loans are not guaranteed by the gov, therefore carry a much higher risk to the lender, so they are credit-based. Your interest rate will probably be variable and based on your credit history.
Lastly – that’s an expensive school to finance. Have you considered less expensive schools? It’s possible to attend a lower-cost college the first two years, then transfer to this expensive school if his heart is set on getting a degree from this school.
Good luck!
Make sure the first thing he does is complete the FAFSA. Once this is done and he qualifies for financial aid, then you can decide what type of student loan to get.
If you really want to cosign for his loan, then you should get a Federal Plus Loan, which is a parent loan offered by the government to students regardless of their financial needs. Find out more here:
http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/federal_plus_loans.aspx
I would highly suggest your son applying for a Federal Perkisn Loan on his own because this is the lowest interest government loan, plus, the government will help pay the interest as long as he is enrolled in school. Read more here:
http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/perkins_student_loans.aspx
Another option is the Subsidized Stafford government loan:
http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/perkins_student_loans.aspx
There are always resources out there to help you pay for college. My entire undergrad tuition was paid through government loans, and I consolidated them together and have only one payment a month. Here’s more about loan consolidation:
http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/college_student_loan_consolidation.aspx
Good luck!
By the way – how is it your son didn’t get any financial aid if you only make $30,000 a year? I make three times as much, and my son still got a grant for nearly $7,000 on a school costing about the same as your son’s. Did you not fill out the fafsa and the school paperwork?
Call the burser office at the college as well, they are there to help.