Yusra3
VIP Contributor
Student loans take up a huge chunk of your budget, but they can also be the best way to get the money you need for school. Getting student loans is hard, but it's not impossible and it doesn't have to be expensive. There are ways to get student loans for free or nearly free, so we're going to show you how! Check out my top 10 tips for getting student loans below.
1. Save up some money first!
2. If you want to consolidate your student loan debt, do so early on in your career (before you graduate)
3. Consider taking out a private loan instead of using federal student loans. they tend to have higher interest rates and fees than federal loans do, but they'll also lower your monthly payment amount (and save you money in the long run).
4. Make sure that your school offers a variety of different repayment plans so that you can find one that works best for your budget and lifestyle. you might be able to cap payments at $50/month or less if needed!
5 Consider going to a for-profit institution.
6. Look into the FAFSA or your state's process for applying for financial aid.
7. Set up an automatic payment plan that allows you to pay off your student loans as soon as you get paid, so you never miss a payment.
8. Keep your student loan debt under control by paying extra on the smallest amount due each month until it's paid off (this will help keep interest rates low).
9. Get creative with how you pay back student loans! There are many resources available to help you find creative ways to pay back your loans, including: Mapping Your Course Schedule; How Much Will I Need For The Future?; and Loan Forgiveness Strategies - Find Out What's In Your Wallet!
10. Know where your college stands on student loan forgiveness programs in order to protect yourself against having too much debt during retirement years (if applicable).
1. Save up some money first!
2. If you want to consolidate your student loan debt, do so early on in your career (before you graduate)
3. Consider taking out a private loan instead of using federal student loans. they tend to have higher interest rates and fees than federal loans do, but they'll also lower your monthly payment amount (and save you money in the long run).
4. Make sure that your school offers a variety of different repayment plans so that you can find one that works best for your budget and lifestyle. you might be able to cap payments at $50/month or less if needed!
5 Consider going to a for-profit institution.
6. Look into the FAFSA or your state's process for applying for financial aid.
7. Set up an automatic payment plan that allows you to pay off your student loans as soon as you get paid, so you never miss a payment.
8. Keep your student loan debt under control by paying extra on the smallest amount due each month until it's paid off (this will help keep interest rates low).
9. Get creative with how you pay back student loans! There are many resources available to help you find creative ways to pay back your loans, including: Mapping Your Course Schedule; How Much Will I Need For The Future?; and Loan Forgiveness Strategies - Find Out What's In Your Wallet!
10. Know where your college stands on student loan forgiveness programs in order to protect yourself against having too much debt during retirement years (if applicable).
