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?

The federal Stafford loans are one of the simplest and more common loans that you can apply for as an undergraduate because of their low, fixed interest rates. Subsidized Stafford loans are based solely on the financial needs of the undergraduate student, while unsubsidized Stafford loans are not based on need.

According to staffordloan.com being a US citizen or permanent resident, being able to show high school completion or a GED test, attending an approved university at least half-time, having no deferments on any outstanding federal loans and possessing a FAFSA pin number are all requirements for a student to apply for a subsidized Stafford loan. He must also be able to show he has a financial need.

There are several benefits of the subsidized Stafford loan. You don't start repaying the loan until six months after you finish school, and there is no interest incurred while you are still in school. They are low interest loans and you don't have to have a credit check to be accepted.

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.

One advantage of the unsubsidized Stafford loan is that you can apply for $2,000 more than the total available from the subsidized Stafford loan. Once you receive this loan, it would be wise to make monthly payments to pay off the interest you are being charged each month while you are still in school. If you don't make any payments, the interest is added together and applied to the total amount of the loan. Interest is then accrued on the total of the loan and interest combined when you begin to repay the loan.

One of the fastest ways to receive financial help in college is to apply for subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford loans. Look at the requirements for each of these loans, consider your financial condition and then choose the type of undergraduate student loans that will meet your financial needs in the best way. - 31377

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