Scholarship

Scholarships are Excellent Source of Financial Aid

If you are getting ready to attend college I’m sure you are wondering how on earth you are going to pay for it. Even graduating high school students are more and more often finding that they need to contribute in some manner to their college educations. Whether you will be taking out student loans, applying for scholarships or grants, or praying for some sort of work study program to come along there are a few things you need to know about financial aid at the college level.

First of all, financial aid can be a tricky beast. For this reason it is best to apply early and keep records of everything you send to the financial aid office. The information age has made things easier on one level and yet has eliminated the personal factor on other levels. However, if you own a personal computer you will find that Internet is an excellent source for financial aid and scholarship information. While the government offers a wide array of financial aid resources, there are many opportunities for you to get an education that do not revolve around government funding. You simply need to spend the time finding them.

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Private Education Loans

Education loans are sought by people who don’t have personal funds for their education. Private education loans, also known as alternate loans, are those that are taken when federal loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs are not sufficient. A private education loan would cover all education expenses such as: tuition, room and board, uniforms, transportation, fees, books and even a computer.

Private education loans are not guaranteed by the government unlike federal loans. These are generally offered by private trusts, philanthropic and non-profit organizations. The loan amount can range between $1,500 and 30,000. Generally, the loan amount would cover the entire cost of education, minus any federal grants or scholarships. All US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents can apply for a loan. Students who are applying for their own loans should be US citizens, should have a good credit record and meet certain conditions. Foreign students can apply with an eligible US cosigner. The interest rates for these loans are higher than those for federal loans ranging between 8-10%. Maximum repayment period is 20 years and is based on the loan amount. Minimum monthly principle and interest payment for some of these loans is $25. Repayment options are of many kinds. These include immediate payment of principle and interest, immediate repayment of interest, deferment of principle, and deferment of both interest as well as principle. These examples are contingent on the kind of loan taken. For graduate/professional loans, both principal and interest are automatically deferred while the student is in school, and during the six months following graduation or from the time the student ceases to be enrolled in school at least half-time. Private education loans cannot be consolidated with federal education loans.

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