What You Need To Know About Undergraduate Student Loans

By Charles Gloson

College can be a big investment, and no matter where you are in your college education, you may find a large gap between your desire to pursue a career and the money you have available to actually pay for it. Did you know that two thirds of all college students resort to undergraduate student loans in order to finish their degree?

Almost all of the students choose either a subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford loan because they are easy to get and they have low, fixed interest rates. The main difference is that the subsidized loan is based entirely on need, while the unsubsidized loan isn't.

According to StaffordLoan.com, a student must meet these requisites to be apply for a subsidized Stafford loan. He must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. He must have completed high school or taken his GED test and be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited institution. He will need to have a FAFSA pin number, and he must not be behind in his payments on any existing federal loans. Besides these personal requirements, the school where he is attending must acknowledge that the student has a financial need.

Did you know that no payments are required, and no interest is accrued on the loan while you are in school? These are the two main benefits of a subsidized Stafford loan. Two other advantages are low interest and no required credit check.

The differences between the unsubsidized and the subsidized Stafford loans are minimal. Anyone can apply for an unsubsidized loan regardless of their financial need. Even though the loan company begins to charge interest immediately upon disbursement of the money, making it the most expensive type of federal loan, no one is obligated to make monthly payments while they are still in school.

The unsubsidized Stafford loan gives you the additional benefit of being able to apply for $2, 000 more than you can with the subsidized Stafford loan. Before you think about applying for one, you need to realize that interest will begin to accrue immediately. If you don't pay the monthly interest while you are in school, the total will be added to the loan premium six months after you finish school, and you will be charged interest on the new total of the loan.

The financial solution for many college students is a loan. Loans should only be considered after you have exhausted the possibility of free money. In order to make a wise choice concerning the undergraduate student loans you need, consider your financial condition and how the loan will affect your future.

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