Need a student loan - Which is best, federal or private student loans?
Ok, so you want to go to college or university and you’re strapped for cash… What are the options available to student. Let’s run through the major ones. Student Loans are often part of student financial aid packages, which is primarily there to help pay for your education. These loans are low interest rate loans. Either the government, an authorized bank or another certified financial institution will make loans available. Loans are different from grants and scholarships, as they need to be paid back.
Student loans normally fall into three categories:
- Federal Student Loans for students
- Federal Student Loans for parents
- Private Student Loans for students or parents
Each one of the above mentioned student loan options has different terms and conditions.
1.Federal student loans, also known as Stafford or direct student loans, are given to the students directly. They are sub-classified into subsidized or unsubsidized, according to the financial needs of the student. The government provides the loan either directly or through other 3rd party agencies. Loan repayments only commence after the students qualification has been successfully completed. In subsidized loans, the student need not pay the interest, and in unsubsidized the interest amount is capitalized with the loan amount. The former one is provided purely based on financial need, while the latter is available for all the students.
2.Federal Student Loans for parents are exactly what the name says, they are for parents of students and the repayment starts soon after the procedures. There is no grace period, like with other usual student loans.
3.Private student loans, and they offer higher loan limits but with lower interest rates and a grace period with no payments due until after graduation. It is often provided on the basis of the credit history of the applicant and with a co-signer. This type of loan is often viewed as an alternative to federal student loans for parents.
Federal Student Loans are distributed through two main channels known as federal direct student loans and federal family education loans. The amount the student can borrow depends on the Federal policies.
I hope this has shed some more light on what student loan is right for you.







