The Trouble With Student Loans

By James Pynn

It seems college has become something more of an expected right rather than the privilege it once was. Indeed, the nature of business and commerce these days require at least a Bachelor's Degree for entry-level employment. And thus the rare privilege has indeed become a basic requirement. High school is no longer an education in and of itself, but merely a springboard to university-level education. Of course, this all comes at cost.

To be sure, a portion of university students do qualify for scholarships, grants, and fellowships, the majority of students must take out massive loans to subsidize their education. Often, these loans are not just for the cost of tuition, but can be sizable enough to pay for books, lab fees and even the cost of housing. Of course, all potential and prospective borrowers should remember the old adage: there are no free lunches.

Before applying for a college loan, there are a number of caveats a borrower must be aware of. College education loans are often your earliest experience with being a borrower. It is vital that former students make it a priority to establish good financial habits. Students credit histories are usually short, and that can be a strike against you should you decide to apply for any other type of loan. Repaying your college education loans on time each month is an excellent way of building a respectable credit history.

What few student borrowers realize is that a loan is not free money -- it is not a grant. Loans must be repaid. There are serious penalties to those who disregard this simple fact. Your credit can be seriously damaged for years, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to qualify for a car or home loan. Your wages can be garnished. You can even be denied any tax refunds due you. College loans are not so much fun after you actually graduate college, so if you have not applied yet, you might want to consider how much money you really want to borrow.

For most students, especially those pursuing graduate and doctoral degrees, student loans are vital. Without these loans, higher education would be impossible for most students. The fact that these loans do not have to be immediately repaid makes them very attractive. But borrowers beware: they will have to be paid back, and with interest. This can mean paying $250 a month in addition to your normal expenses. Remember this fact before you sign your loan papers.

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