Consider The Options Before Borrowing Money To Support Your Education

by Don Alexander

If you are thinking for borrowing money to support your education, try to ask yourself first if you have savings left that you can use instead of taking out a student loan from the school of your choice. Also, think if you can get by with less by way of holding down expenses, or if you can do something great, like working more, either in the academic year or during vacations just to support your education.

Also, think for the possible scholarships that you can apply for, or you can be qualified for. There are actually a lot of options left for you out there. The best move to take now is to know and understand them.

Estimate Your Loan Payments

It is worthy to note that the more you borrow for your education, the higher is the amount of your monthly repayments will be once you finish your degree. So if possible, try to estimate your loan payments. There are a number of student loan repayment calculators out there that you can use to do the math. What's more, you have the chance to calculate your monthly payments based on the estimated starting salary of your chosen occupation.

The Essential Borrowing Tips Now that you have pondered enough about your student loan with the things you have to consider before borrowing, as well as with the amount you need to borrow, I guess it is now important for you to look at the most recommended tips for borrowing student loans.

Just consider the following:

1. Start by looking at the award letter given to you by your servicer. From the letter, figure out which need-based loans you have been qualifies for and for what amounts.

2. After looking at the full financial picture, such as the awarded aid, education cost, and family share, you should then consider settling on an amount that you actually need to borrow.

3. The rule is: never borrow more than you need. Always note that as a student loan borrower, you are not required to take the full amount of the loan you have been offered.

4. Don't ever forget about student employment as an alternative for borrowing. Even though working at a job can seem like an extra burden for students, so is struggling with high loan repayments after college.

5. Apply for the student loan right away. This is very necessary especially if you want to ensure that the loan is approved as well as the money paid to the college before you have to make your first student account payment.

6. The key to successful application is to follow the loan application instructions carefully. Note that any mistakes you make will delay receipt of the funds.

7. When you are applying for a Stafford or Direct student loan, be prepared for the amount that is paid to the college to be less than the amount you signed for. Usually, a fee of up to four percent will be deducted from the student loan. This deduction occurs before the check is sent to the college of your choice.

8. If you already figured out the exact amount you are borrowing before any borrowing process begins, you should start keeping track of your student loan tab, which is what your monthly repayment amount will be after you graduated from college. There are student loan calculators out there than can do the math for you.

9. If instances occur that you find yourself needing more than the amount that's been offered in your award letter, it is necessary to contact with a financial aid counselor before taking on an additional loan.

10. And, if you do take on an additional, unsubsidized loan, just consider making interest payments while attending your degree. The interest won't be much and this will help you save money. If you delay or capitalize the interest payments, you will end up having to pay back significantly less than.

Also, after leaving college considering purchasing a home instead of getting an apartment. My wife and I fortunately did this a few years after we left school, and we were able to pay back my $26,500 student loan with a simple refinance that also lowered our mortgage payments. We were able to do that within 8 months of purchasing the home! What a relief it still is to this day knowing that my education has already been paid back in full!

As mentioned, planning and thinking your moves for taking out student loans is very necessary for a successful borrowing. If you do consider what have been mentioned above, then there is no doubt for you not to attain your dream education, and even a successful career in the future.


About the Author

Don Alexander is owner of leading-online-business.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Don recommends you visit http://www.leading-online-business.com