Own Your Loan, Don't Let Your Loan Own You

It is often said that the most effective debt management strategy is to be debt-free. But, in order to pay for your college education, you may need to take out student loans. The hope is your student loans can greatly assist in furthering your education. but there are some instances that getting student loans has lead people to be buried deep in debt.

Now, planning for successful repayment involves a certain amount of planning. The planning should start before you place your pen on your first promissory note. Just as you are making a commitment to your career by way of investing time and money in higher education, you should also make a commitment to your financial future by way of effectively managing your student loans from the beginning.

Here are some recommended tips and tactics that may help you handle your student debt effectively and repay the loans successfully.

Tip #1: Do Your Research: Always note that not all loans are the same. Some of them, such as the ones provided by the Indiana Secondary Market for instance, offer benefits during school as well as after graduation in the form of repayment incentives, while other do not.

Tip #2: Pay Attention to the Mail: Typically, every borrower receives important information regarding the student loan he or she took out.

Tip #3: Be Organized: When taking out student loan from a particular institution, it is always best to save all of your student loan documents and correspondences. This makes you aware of what exactly you've agreed, what is expected from you as a student loan borrower, and how much you have borrowed. Also, when setting up your record-keeping system, make sure you will find easy to maintain over the life of the loan.

Tip #4: Be present at All Required Entrance and Exit Sessions: When you take out student loan, you will be required to complete student loan counselling sessions. This is often considered when you first obtain the loan and upon graduation.

Tip #5: Learn to Manage Money like an Expert: It has been said that if you live like a professional while you are in school, you will live like a student once you've finished your degree. In other words, it is important that you know very well how to handle your money while you are attending school. This will help you lessen the total amount you end up borrowing, and in turn, the amount you will responsible for repaying.

Tip #6: Maintain at least Half-Time Enrolment: Considering a half-time enrolment is highly necessary in order for you to qualify for an in-school deferment. The half-time enrolment normally takes six credit hours. Regarding your school's requirements for half-time status, see your financial aid officer.

Tip #7: Take Advantage of Tax Savings: Some of the student who takes out student loans qualifies for tax credits. To see your own status, check with your tax advisor. The credits are actually based on your qualified tuition payments, and they can help reduce the amount of Federal tax you pay.

Tip #8: Start Repayment on Time: As you enter the repayment period, note that being aware of your student loan obligations is very crucial. This is where the student loan default usually happens. It occurs when you fail to pay back the loan as agreed or meet the other terms of your promissory note.

If you need further information regarding your student loans, always remember that the financial aid staff at your school is probably your most important resource. There are also some publications from federal and state governments, lenders and scholarship granting organizations, and financial ad guidebooks that are available from your local book-store.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Pell Grants instead of Student Loans

There are ways you can lessen the amount of student loans you need. Once you are accepted at an accredited university, college, or community college, talk to the financial aid department. There are several scholarships and grants that are based on income and may make it possible not to need as high a student loan.

The Pell grant is one of the federal programs most schools automatically file for students. The maximum award is over four thousand dollars. However, not all students will get the maximum amount. Many factors are considered when a student applies. With few exceptions, a part time student must be carrying at least a half time load. Another factor that is considered is the actual college costs for both tuition and books.

Unlike a student loan, a Pell grant is just that, a grant. It is never repaid. It is up to the individual institution as to how the money is applied. You may either receive a check or have it applied directly to your school expenses. The various options will be discussed between the student and financial aid officer. Federal law required payments to be made a minimum of twice per academic year.

Another issue to consider when applying for a Pell grant is the type of institution. State colleges and universities are often less expensive than private colleges. Pell grants are available to Universities, private colleges and community colleges. The community college system is often the least expensive and can be used to earn Associate degrees and have many of the credits then be applied to a four-year institution. By using the Pell grant to pay many of these expenses the student can thus earn a degree that can be used to secure employment that can then be applied to the continuing education process.

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