If you are entering college soon, but have no idea how you are going to pay for anything from books to your actual tuition fees, chances are that you are going to be relying upon your parents in some way, shape, or form. For most first-time college undergraduates, college or university tuition is either paid through grants, because parents’ financial information allows the use of grants, scholarships, because of academic or athletic prowess, or loans, because students can not pay for college or a university outright.
Understanding The Role of Parent LoansFew college students have established any amount of credit prior to college, so it is important that potential college students and the parents of these students understand the options at hand regarding the usage of parents’ credit for obtaining college loans. First and foremost, however, you must remember that not all parents of college students have good credit to their names. If your parents do not have good credit, you may face troubles getting any company to give you a loan for college. Therefore, it may be required of you to obtain a grandparent, family friend, or other relative, who is then willing to cosign for you and your parents regarding a college loan. Be prepared to pay back these loans after college, however, as you are putting others at risk who may have cosigned for you if you do not pay back your loans!
Types of Parent LoansOnce you have determined your parents’ credit and their willingness to help you pay for college through loans, you must then find a loan. One option that you have is through a bank or other financial institution. Most institutions have some type of loan available to parents and students wishing to pay for college. Another great option is the Federal PLUS loan, available through the U.S. Department of Education. Simply fill out an application for this PLUS loan through your school’s financial aid office, and you can receive financial aid up to any amount left uncovered by other financial aid. Whatever you decision is, be sure that you and your parents discuss your loans options beforehand, and make sure that you have a plan for repaying these loans once college ends.
This article is distributed by NextStudent. At NextStudent, we believe that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we're dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding as easy as possible. We invite you to learn more about how to get Parent Loans at http://www.NextStudent.com
How to Search for Scholarships
Finding scholarships for college or a major university is a lot like picking an actual college. It is not an easy process or something that just happens overnight, but rather, it takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of research to find the scholarship opportunities that are best for you. On the one hand, you are putting a lot of time, work, and effort into finding a scholarship. But just think about the thousands of dollars that you can save by obtaining a scholarship for college.
No-Cost Student Loan Consolidation
A no-cost student loan consolidation – doesn’t that just sound too good to be true? Think about it. You have just accrued thousands of dollars in debt through student loans after 4 years of college, or possibly even more. Then, a company offers to take all of your loans off of your hands, put them into one central loan, and do it all for free! Well, while it might not be too good to be true, it all depends around your particular situation, which could make this a “free” process, or could still work out to the benefit of the consolidation company that you are working with throughout the process.
Stafford Loan Consolidation
A Stafford Loan, which can help to finance your way through a college or university, comes in two forms:
