Find the resources you need to pay for college

Many people choose not to attend college not because they are dumb but simply cannot afford the education. Many individuals believe that they do not qualify of scholarships and simply give up the dream of attending college. There are numerous misconceptions about college loans as well. College loans are an excellent way to pay for school without having to added stress while in school of how to pay for it.

A lot of individuals think that they do not qualify for loans. The fact is that banks, companies, private entities and even the government all give out loans for educational purposes. Anything related to education is considered an expense such as tuition, books, housing, lab fees, food and many other factors. The question remains as to how and where can someone receive access to these loans?

The best option is to talk to a college or high school admissions counselor as to what specific loans are best for your personal needs. Once you have found the school you wish to attend talk to a financial or admissions counselor about the specific requirements that the school has concerning tuition and financial obligations. Although rare, some institutions allow individuals to pay for tuition on a payment plan instead of lump sum payments. If you do decide to do a payment plan then you will need a smaller loan over a longer period of time from the loan provider.

Take the time to apply for grants and scholarships. There are thousands of hidden organizations willing to give away money to eager students. Do online research to locate scholarship opportunities. Fill out the FAFSA and SAR government aid options to further augment your monetary situation. After you have applied for financial aid and received any scholarships from the college of your choice, factor in the bottom line total of how much money you are going to need to cover all costs of a college education.

Check with your local bank first before reaching out to a specific college loan provider. Banks will usually offer more reasonable interest rates than other private loan providers. Banks will have college loan options tailored to your specific degree and major. Some banks will also have access to many different types of private and sometimes government loans such as the Stafford Loan, PLUS loans, School Certified Private Loans, which are dependant upon your school’s participation in the program, and Non-Certified Private Loans. The greatest plus banks have is that your loan can be repaid in a timeframe that is comfortable with your schedule. Many private loan providers want students to repay loans starting within 6 months of graduation.

Private loan companies such as Astrive Loans, eStudent Loans and American Educational Services make college loans their top priority. Each company is different but mostly offers more information than banks on the student loan process. Students can easily search and apply for thousands of loans, research financial aid options and gain quick access to money. The downside of private loan companies is the structured repayment schedule, high interest rates and the impersonal feeling of not having a private banker at your disposal.