Graduate and professional students can borrow money for school through the PLUS Loan Program. Qualifying students who are enrolled at least half time can take out a loan for up to the cost of attendance, minus the amount of other forms of financial aid. You must file a FAFSA and accept all Stafford Loans you are offered before applying for the ...

Most families evaluate education loans based mainly on cash flow considerations: How much money can you get to pay for college costs and/or living expenses? How much are the monthly payments? When do the payments start and when do they end? What is the total cost of the loan (total payments over the life of the loan)? Who is responsible for ...

There are many options for repayment relief for borrowers who are having trouble repaying their education loans. These include deferments and forbearances that suspend the monthly payment obligation, alternate repayment plans that reduce the monthly payments by increasing the loan term, and forgiveness and discharge programs that cancel the loans entirely. Which options are appropriate for you depends in part on ...

This year more than ever, the economy is making it more difficult for families to pay for college. The number of financial aid applications is up more than 10% over last year. Lenders are suspending loan programs and tightening credit standards. Families are concerned -- really concerned -- about obtaining loans and paying for college. Add in the possibility of job ...

Even though the bailout bill has been passed, most Americans are still wary of future financial woes. Students are especially worried, seeing as their funding for college is tied up in private loans and may have been affected by the recent sub prime mortgage crisis. Mark Kantrowitz, a leading financial aid expert, has a few tips to help students continue to ...

Think you know financial aid? These five facts might surprise you. 1. Most students receive financial aid. If you’re not going to bother applying for scholarships because you think no one ever wins, you’re wrong. Two-thirds of full-time undergraduate students receive financial aid in the form of grants or scholarships, according to the College Board. The cost of college is rising, ...

With college costs rising, most students need help paying for higher education. And most will rely on more than one source to cover costs. Learn how to put together the pieces of your financial aid package. Grants Grants are awards based on financial need or funds distributed to support a specific project (e.g. research grants). This is free money that doesn't ...

When it comes to financial aid, late is often too late. Funds for next year are already allotted, and your school simply has nothing more to give. But don't give up until you consider these options: Step 1: Check out your school's Web site. Many sites provide information about the school's late applicant policies, additional suggestions for late applicants and links ...

Earning a graduate degree can be a smart idea, but how do you find the funding to pay for an expensive advanced degree? There are ways to earn a graduate degree without ending up with a lot of debt. Figure Out How Much Money You'll Need First, figure out the expenses associated with getting a degree. Don't just focus on tuition ...

For many college-bound students the anticipation of higher education is overshadowed by financial anxieties. With tuition rising faster than financial aid dollars, more students are finding gaps in their financial aid packages. The gap appears when the student's expected family contribution (EFC) plus the school's financial aid package don't equal the cost of attendance. This gap appears as unmet need on ...

If you're a current or future college student, chances are good that you're considering a student loan. Before you make any decisions, it pays to understand the basic principles behind borrowing. All loans consist of three components: The interest rate, security component and term. The Interest Rate The interest rate is the lender's charge for the use of their money. The ...

Missing payments on your student loan has serious consequences. If you're making monthly payments and you're 270 days delinquent, or 330 days delinquent if you pay less often than monthly, then you are in default. Your Borrowing Responsibilities It's important to read the fine print when you borrow money for school. Unless you're granted loan deferment, forbearance or forgiveness, you must ...

When you want to know what something costs you check the price tag, right? But sometimes it's not so simple. Compare going to a big-ticket school with attending a college with less expensive tuition. You might think it's easy to figure out which will cost you more. But in fact, every school figures out your financial aid package differently. And that ...

Sometimes, the hardest thing about college or graduate school is paying for it. Scholarships, grants and work-study can help, but to fill the financial aid gap, most students will need to take out loans. There are a number of loan programs available. To pick the best one for you, check out all your options: Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) vs. ...

Considering going back to school, but aren't quite sure how you're going to pay for it all? The solution may be closer than you think. Many employers now sponsor tuition assistance programs. Typically managed through a company's human resources department, tuition-assistance programs can do more than save you money. They also offer you the chance to integrate your formal education with ...

Good news! The interest you pay on your student loan might let you pay less on your taxes. Thanks to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, tax time will be a little better for you and other student borrowers. How It Works Depending on your specific loan situation, you may be eligible to deduct some of the interest you pay on ...

Parents of college students face added financial pressure. The federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loan can alleviate some of that pressure. The PLUS is a loan for parents and family members to help cover the education costs for dependent college students. PLUS loans cover up to the total cost of undergraduate education not already covered by financial aid for ...

The federal government's newest rate cut could have an impact on some student loans. Learn how it could affect your student loans below. Q: How do I know whether this rate cut affects me? A: The rate cut will affect recently-graduated students for whom ALL THREE of the following are true: 1. You're within the six-month grace period following graduation AND ...

Are your student loans piling up? Depending on your future plans, you may be able to find relief. Loan forgiveness programs can help by canceling some, or all, of you debt in exchange for some type of public service. Low-income School Programs There are several federal loan forgiveness programs designed for students who become full-time teachers in elementary or secondary schools ...

Recent changes on popular student loan programs will affect recent college graduates, incoming college freshman and parents too. Interest Rates Up As of July 1, new Stafford loans carry a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent for the life of the loan. Previously, Stafford loans had a variable interest rate that was adjusted every July and a lower interest rate while ...