You are paying way too much for your Federal student loans, and your sick and tired of never having extra cash on hand for the things you'd like to be doing, and feeling a bit disillusioned about what life after graduation would be like. Your not alone! Millions of College Graduates are having the same feelings, facing the same fears, and wondering what in the world happened. It wasn't supposed to be like this! You may have had wide eyed visions of dinner parties and dining out. Driving a nice car and climbing your way up the corporate ladder. But it takes time to climb the ladder of success and in the meantime, once you graduate, your student loan grace periods begin to expire and before you know it, your deep in debt and in the red each month with no bling left over for any of those things you looked forward to being able to do. So you work and you scrimp and you save, but now the payments are behind and the service charges and late fees are adding up and you're not earning enough yet to make up for it. So what happens now you ask?? STOP... that's what.. and listen closely if you want this seemingly endless circle to stop so you can catch your breath.
Have you ever considered the possibility of consolidating your student loans? When you consolidate, you take all your student loan payments and combine them into one new consolidated student loan, one with a much lower payment total than what you had been paying. The most common reason graduates choose to go this route is to lock in a new loan with a much lower interest rate, which in turn creates more cash flow for you each month and more cash on hand for other expenses you'd much rather be spending your hard earned money on. Choosing to consolidate your student loans can save you as much as 63% from what you were paying for your student loans prior to consolidating. If this sounds like something you may consider doing, I hate to pressure you, but you need to be aware that if you are in fact thinking of consolidating your student loans, you need to act fast and do your research to find a reputable lender and apply as soon as possible because come July 1st 2006, just a short time from now, the Government is going to do it's yearly student loan interest rate adjustment and students all across the US are going to feel a crunch like no one has ever felt before. And it happens this year! Up until now, this has shown little effect on those desiring to consolidate their loans.
The US Senate has already announced that this is to be the single largest student loan interest rate hike we have ever seen. Federal Direct and Stafford loans alone will see a rate increase from 4.7% to 6.8% which equals ALOT of extra money flying out the window each month in interest alone! Their reason? The Senates $40 billion dollar deficit reduction plan, and the student loan industry will be hit the hardest. You must take action and get busy right now! Make sure you know what kind of student loans you presently have (Direct loan, Stafford loan, private loans etc) and what the grace periods are for each student loan that you have and what your eligible for. Then go on a massive hunt for the most reputable and established Lender you can find and fill out an application so you can lock in today's low rates before the hammer falls on July 1st.
For students who are unable to get student loans, the fun and kicks of college might be virtually non- existent. There are many more payments to make apart from books and Tuition. Just imagine how difficult it can be for students who also have to pay living expenses because they have to live apart from their families while in college.
Student loans can be a lifesaver because it saves many students from breakdowns that can occur as a result of the stress of payments and college courses. At the beginning, a student may find it difficult to get one of these student loans. This doesn't mean that getting student loans is a piece of cake.
These Federal student loans are supported by the government and this sees to it that you don't pay high interest rates. Any student who opts for the private student loans will have to pay increased interest rates and will need good credit records. Subsidized and unsubsidized rates are available for students obtaining student loans.
Except if the interest is being paid by another person that is when rates may accrue while the student who takes the loan is still enrolled in school. It helps a student to know that he/she won't have to pay any extra rates while he is still in school. You might not be so lucky if your type of interest rate is unsubsidized because rates will be accrued even while you are in school.
If these payments aren't made, the interest will keep rising thereby increasing the amount to be paid back, but the good thing is that you will have more time to pay. Are you a student interested in a federal loan? Then go ahead and fill out a FAFSA form. You may also have to fill a college scholarship profile application form. No need to start getting hot and bothered over the cost because it is almost free.
FAQs about getting a student loans:
What is a 'credit record'? A credit record is, in essence a documented history of any type of credit you have been given for the last six years. It discloses how much you have been lent and whether you have ignored any obligations etc. A credit record allows potential loan providers to search through your financial past so that they will be able to make a determination as to whether to extend you a loan. The data on your record is complied by credit reference agencies for instance, Equifax and Experian. They take data from public documents (e.g. the electoral roll, legal judgments etc) and from loan companies as well as financial institutions: e.g. credit accounts, credit applications.
What is a 'credit check'? A credit check is a search performed by a possible lender to determine your suitability for borrowing. They will look at your credit record to see your current and previous credit history. They can then award you a credit score to identify whether the manner in which you control your financial affairs fulfils their criteria for being granted credit.
What is a 'credit score'? A credit score or credit rating is an approach that would-be loan providers use for calculating the credit eligibility of a borrower. They will research the potential borrower's credit file, the data on their application and the amount of loan requested. They will then employ a numerical rating process to evaluate the size of 'risk' connected to lending to the potential borrower.
Credit Reference Agencies :
Experian is one of the important credit referencing agencies in the country. Loan providers will turn to credit referencing agencies to find out about the qualifications of an applicant founded on their credit record. This is known as a credit file. As a consumer, it's possible to get a printed copy of your report from Experian to check that all the facts and figures on it are truthful and that your particulars aren't being used in some fraudulent way.
Equifax is one of the significant credit referencing agencies in the country. Equifax gathers all your financial data from various places to establish a file that details your personal credit history - i.e. your credit report. When you fill out an application for any kind of credit, loan providers will examine you report to see your credit record. You may get a printed copy of your credit report when ever you like to check that all is in order. The Equifax website has plenty of valuable advice on sensible financial choices and guarding yourself from fraudulent schemes.
