Showing posts with label Student Loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Student Loans. Show all posts

Friday, 10 January 2014

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Student Loans – Available Repayment Options

Yes, higher education is a dream for many students. But if a student is not able to get one of those scholarships or grants, they do not have to lose heart. Student loan is the answer for their search for money.

Students must be aware that this fund has to be repaid after the completion of the course period.

We have already learned about various student loans available from the federal government and other loan providing bodies. In this article, we shall discuss about the various loan repayment options that students should consider to repay their loans to prevent any unpleasant surprises during the higher stages in their career.

Repayment Plan



Following are the repayment plans available for students who borrow Direct Subsidized loans, Unsubsidized loans, Subsidized loans, Federal loans, and Stafford loans:

Standard Repayment Plan:

When a student enters the loan repayment period, he or she is automatically assigned to the Standard repayment plan for the loan repayment. However, a student can change the repayment plan at any time.

This plan enables students to pay less interest than any other plans. Under this plan, a student has to repay the loan in 120 equal payments for 10 years, that is, 12 payments per year. The number of years to repay the loan reduces based on the amount. The minimum amount to be paid under this plan is $50.

Graduated Repayment Plan:

Similar to the Standard repayment plan, a student has to repay the loan amount within 10 years. But the interest amount is comparatively higher in this plan. The interest amount increases every two years.


Extended Repayment Plan:

In this plan, the loan repayment period is 25 years with less monthly payments compared to the 10-year standard plan. But, the overall payment is higher than the 10-year plan amount.

Income-Based Repayment Plan:

Students with partial financial hardship are eligible for this repayment plan that runs up to 25 years. The monthly payments are lesser than the amount repaid for 10-year plan. Thus, a student pays more compared to the 10-year plan. After equivalent amounts are paid for 25 years, any outstanding balance is forgiven for which the student may have to pay only the income tax.

The monthly payment is calculated based on the borrower’s income that is 15% of the discretionary income. Thus, the amount changes as per the income.

Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan:

As per this plan, 10% of monthly payment should be paid towards the loan for 20 years. This plan is applicable for student borrowers after Oct 1, 2007 and student borrowers of Direct Loan on or after Oct. 1, 2011. After equivalent amounts are paid for 20 years, any outstanding balance is forgiven for which the student may have to pay only the income tax.



Income-Contingent Repayment Plan:

Monthly payment is calculated each year based on adjusted gross income, family size, and the total Direct Loan amount. Time period to pay the amount is 25 years. After equivalent amounts are paid for 25 years, any outstanding balance is forgiven for which the student may have to pay only the income tax.

Income-Sensitive Repayment Plan:

Monthly payment is calculated based on annual income. Time period for the payment is 10 years. A borrower pays more than the standard 10-year plan. Monthly payment calculation differs with different lenders.

Payment method for Perkins Loan borrowers

Perkins loan borrowers have to start paying the loan amount latest after nine months of graduation or opting to leave school or opting to leave below half-time from the enrollment. If the student opts to leave below half-time status, he or she need not repay the loan amount for certain period of time called the Grace period. The student should enquire with the school regarding the Grace period.



In this article, we have discussed about various loan repayment options that a student borrower can consider based on the income after graduation and the time period required for repayment. In the next article, we shall discuss about education through online and its advantages.

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Friday, 20 December 2013

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Know the Routes to Finance Your Studies (PART II)

This article is the continuation of PART I of the article Know the Routes to Finance Your Studies. In the first part, we discussed about the federal aids available to students to pursue higher education. In this article, we will continue with more such aids that facilitate higher education in the US.

Also, we will focus on other types of financial aids available to students from various sources including the state government, educational institutions, and private organizations. Read on to know more and some tips on how to fund your education costs on your own through clever strategies.


Federal Student Loans

The US Federal Government also offers repayment of loans to the students who need financial support to pursue higher education.
Direct Loan (from the federal government):
  • Direct Subsidized Loans – for eligible undergraduate students who reveal financial need

  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans – for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who need not demonstrate financial need

  • Direct PLUS Loans – graduate or professional students who do not avail any other financial aid

  • Direct Consolidation Loans – to eligible students who can combine all the available financial aid under one loan provider
Apart from these financial aids, there are number of scholarships available for students to utilize.

Aid from the State Government

If a student is not eligible for federal student aids, he or she can apply for financial aid from the state government, to which the student belongs.
Some of the financial aids by state governments are offered with the support from the federal government.
Following are the financial aids awarded by the state governments:
  • Byrd Scholarships
  • LEAP (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership) Grants

Aid from the College or School

Students can avail financial aid from the college or university in which they are planning to take admission. A student can visit the official website of the college or enquire the financial department of the college to know more about the process. Also, he or she can check the academic department for any scholarships or grants available.



Aid from a Not-for-profit Organization or a Private Institution

Students may also try to source financial aid from many not-for-profit organizations or private institutions that offer scholarships or grants for students who posses excellent academic skills or purely based on the economic status of the student.

Reduce, Save, and Fund Your Education

Apart from the scholarships, grants, and loans, students can fund their education with proper planning and financing strategies:

College and their Location: Student can opt for colleges that require less tuition fee and offer high quality education. Students can also prefer colleges that are located in areas where the living expenses are reasonable.

Excellent Academic Performance: Excellent academic performance of a student in the first year can earn a student some waiver in the tuition fee in the following years of study.



Accelerated Programs: Students can opt for courses in community colleges if the credits can be transferred to the regular college. Also, students can take one additional course per semester or online classes or summer classes.

In this 2 part article, we have discussed about the various financial aid sources available for US students. In the next article, we will discuss about the FAFSA and how to apply for financial aid. Keep checking this space to clear your doubts about the process involved in getting the necessary finances for your dream education in the US.


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