Student Loans with Bad Credit: A Guide to Paying for College

The job market has been bad for a while now and many people are deciding to go back to college to get a new job or to increase their skills in their current career. However, the mistakes that they have made in their past may haunt them on this new journey. Is it possible to get student loans with bad credit? In a world where college tuition is rising exponentially each year, getting the needed money for college is a huge concern for most students. Student loans for bad credit borrowers are available, however, and readily so.Scholarships and Grant FirstIf you are looking to fund your college career, loans are an obvious choice since they are plentiful and easy to obtain. However, the first thing you should to in assessing your college choices is look into scholarships and grant money. Your individual college may offer scholarships for academic performance, athletic ability, a history of volunteerism or based on need alone. In addition, grant money, which is given based on need and qualification, is offered by the federal government (Pell Grants) as well as private colleges and other entities.Low-Cost Federal LoansThe next choice for most potential college students is to look towards the federal government for loans. By filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (also called a FAFSA) at the same time as your general college applications, you will automatically receive notification of which programs you qualify for and how much money they are willing to give you each year.The Stafford Loan program offers students low, fixed-rate interest on loans that you need not repay until six months after you graduate or leave college. This gives you a cushion of time in which to find a job and begin your loan repayment. In addition, subsidized Stafford loans do not even accumulate interest until you finish school.Stafford loans are offered to all students, the only hitch is how much of the loan money offered will be subsidized. Other federal loans such as Perkins Loans and PLUS Loans also provide students with low, fixed interest rates and are given based on economic need.Bad Credit and Federal LoansThe best part about all federally sponsored student loans is that bad credit is no longer an issue. You can get a student loan with bad credit from the government because they do not care. That’s right, lenders do not even check your credit score when issuing you federal student loans. This is because the federal government insures the loans and minimizes the loss lenders incur. Also, student loan debt never goes away. Even if you file for bankruptcy you will still be obligated to repay federal student loans.Private Options Are There, TooEven though everyone can qualify for a federal student loan, that is not always enough money to get through college with its rising costs, not to mention paying for other expenses such as a home and food while there. Student loans for bad credit borrowers are also available from private lenders without government backing. The interest rates on these loans will be a bit higher, however, so it is important to shop around for the best package possible.College students in need of financing for their education have many options, even with bad credit. Student loans for borrowers with bad credit are given every day and with little hassle.