Student loan debt is extended to students to help them fund their college education. These loans, which are granted by a range of different sources have to be repaid with interest in the years following graduation.

These days, borrowing for educational purposes is commonplace. In the US, more than two-thirds of undergraduates use some kind of student loan debt to fund their education. And in 2005 the average amount borrowed per student each academic year was over $20000 (Stafford and/or Perkins Loans). This figure rises to $24000 if PLUS loans are taken into account.

Most student loan debt is repaid over 10 years (although it can be extended to 30 years if the debt is consolidated) and the interest rate is set annually on 1st July.

There are four types of student loan debt available to students in the US.

1) Stafford Loans

Also known as federal loans, these are granted by the federal government to students at approved educational establishments. Their course of study must be at least part time and repayment begins once they graduate.

The interest on the loan can take two different forms;

Subsidized: This means that interest on the loan only begins to mount up once repayment has begun. In other words, the student gets an interest free loan until they start to repay it.

Unsubsidized: Interest starts to accrue on the amount borrowed from the moment the money is lent. This option means that the size of the debt becomes larger than under the subsidized option. From July 2005, the interest rate on Stafford Loans is 5.3% during the repayment period.

2) Perkins Loans

Unlike Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans are granted by the education establishment that the student attents. Again, they must be at least a part time student and the institution has to be approved. The main advantage of these loans, it that the interest rate charged is slightly lower than Stafford Loans (around 5%).

3) Private Loans

These are offered by a wide range of banks and other lenders. And as you would imagine, the interest rates are higher (although different lenders charge different amounts) and the repayment schedule is not so generous.

4) PLUS Loans

Unlike the previous options, these loans are taken by parents to help with their child’s education. Again the dependent child has to be enrolled at an approved institution and study at least part time. And this time, it’s the parents who are responsible for repaying this student loan debt.

Students can apply for any of these loans, or even a combination of them, to help fund their studies. If they have a number of these loans, they can consolidate them into a single monthly repayment plan (usually at a lower rate of interest, but over a longer period).

by Stuart Laing

Copyright (c) Get Out Of Debt.

Are you tired of being in debt? Do you resent the large repayments every month? Visit http://www.icanhelpyougetoutofdebt.com for free, impartial debt help information.

This article may be freely distributed as long as the copyright, author’s information and active links are included.

Bookmark to:

On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed into law a budget reconciliation bill that will impact your student loans as a student and a graduate. The interest rate on any new student loans (Federal Stafford Loans) that you take out after July 1, 2006 will be fixed at 6.8%. Any student loans you have taken out prior to that date will remain at a variable rate.
The good news is that origination fees on student loans are scheduled to phase out over the next several years, which means fewer fees on your student loans. Additionally, if you will be pursuing a graduate degree, a new PLUS Loan initiative will allow graduate and professional students to take advantage of PLUS funds. This will enable you to cover your total cost of attendance with federally guaranteed, low-interest loans instead of Alternative Loans, which are typically more costly.
If you are nearing graduation, you are probably thinking about consolidating your student loans through the Federal Loan Consolidation Program to lower your monthly payments up to 50%. The tips provided below will help you to deal with questions you may have concerning graduation and how to handle your student loans.

The average new graduate will owe more […]

Full Article At: KnowHow-Now.com Articles

Bookmark to:

A consolidate student loan is the perfect solution for people who need help managing their debt. If you have several different loan payments but want to make only one payment per month, you should apply for a Federal Consolidation Loan.

With loan consolidation, your lender will combine your present loans into one single loan. If you do decide to get a consolidate student loan, you will pay interest on a fixed rate. The rate is determined by the average of your loans, and is averaged up to the nearest .125 percent. If you make direct loan electronic payments, you may get a lower interest rate.

As student loan debt is usually not the largest debt a person has, it may make sense to include it in a consolidate student loan.

Tips on repaying your Consolidate Student Loan

Most people use student loan consolidation as a way to manage debts. Most often, a consolidate student loan will save money. Be aware that although a consolidate loan reduces monthly payments, it will likely raise the interest amount.

Because of this, it is a good idea to try to pay off as much of your consolidate student loan as soon as possible. Do this by trying to increase your monthly payments. Be aware that there are certain deferment programs available.

For example, unemployment or economic hardship may cause the consolidate student loan to be reduced.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher

http://www.a1-loans-4u.com/

Bookmark to: