Embed
Email

Stafford Loans For Your College Fundingtxt

Document Sample
Stafford Loans For Your College Fundingtxt
Description

Find More Tips and Guides About Student Loan at http://idproducts.us

Shared by: Ana Khabibati
Stats
views:
0
posted:
2/14/2012
language:
pages:
4
==== ====



Find more Informations here

http://idproducts.us/



==== ====

Stafford Loans For Your College Funding.



Stafford loans are low-interest, federally guaranteed student loans available to both eligible

undergraduate and graduate students for tuition and other school-related expenses. Stafford

Loans are an affordable loan option available for most students to pay for college. Stafford Loans

are the most widely used, low-cost education loans available from the United States Federal

government.



Stafford Loans are widely used and low cost!



Stafford Loans are available to students either directly from the United States Department of

Education through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP, also known as Direct) or

from a financial intermediary (such as Chase, Sallie Mae or Student Loan Corp). Stafford loans

are given to students in the students own name. There is no credit check, so students dont need

to worry about finding a co-signer to get money for college or graduate school. Stafford loan rates

are lower than other forms of consumer financing, and repayment is postponed for six months until

you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. Stafford Loans are backed (guaranteed) by

the federal government and have fixed interest rates.



There are two types of Stafford Loans: Direct and FFEL.



Direct Loans



The US government provides Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP) loans, administered

by Direct Lending Schools, directly to students and their parents. Many students who apply for the

Stafford Loans in either category choose the Direct loan, in which the money comes right from the

government and goes directly to the school.



FFELP (Federal Family Education Loan Program)



Private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and savings & loan associations, provide Federal

Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans. FFEL loans funded by private lenders are still

federally backed and the lenders must follow strict federal loan guidelines. FFEL program Stafford

Loan funds can be used for education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, living costs,

transportation, childcare, etc. Both the FFEL and Direct Loan programs consist of what are

generally known as Stafford Loans (for students) and PLUS Loans (for parents). For a FFEL

Stafford Loan, the lender will send the loan funds to your school.



Stafford Loan Eligibility



To be eligible for a Stafford loan you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA). Simply fill out the FAFSA form through your educational institution or online at

www.fafsa.ed.gov



A Student Is Considered To Be



To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid a student must be a permanent resident or eligible non-

citizen, as applicable. You must have a valid Social Security Number, be attending an eligible

school, or accepted for enrollment, as at least a half-time student. If already enrolled, you must

maintain satisfactory academic progress in your course of study according to the school's

standards. You must have at least a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent of a high

school diploma.



A borrower may not qualify if he or she has defaulted on a federal education loan, owes an

overpayment on other federal education aid, has been convicted of a drug-related offense while

receiving federal student aid, or is incarcerated.



Subsidized Loans (Need Based)



A Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need and is available

through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). About 2/3 of subsidized Stafford

loans are awarded to students with family AGI (adjusted gross income) of under $50,000, 1/4 to

students with family AGI of $50,000 to $100,000, and a little less than 10.



Non-subsidized Loans (Non-Need Based)



All students, regardless of need, are eligible for the unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Even though the

unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to all students regardless of financial need, you must still

submit the FASFA to be eligible. For all unsubsidized Stafford loans first disbursed on or after July

1, 2006, the interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. For unsubsidized Stafford loans, students are

responsible for all of the interest that accrues while the student is enrolled in school.



With the unsubsidized Stafford loan, you can defer the payments until after graduation by

capitalizing the interest.



Repayment



There is a 6-month grace period following graduation or when enrolled less that half-time or

leaving school altogether before you must begin repaying your loan.



Both the Direct Loan and FFEL programs offer four repayment plans you can choose from, but the

terms differ slightly. Please note: some colleges participate only in the Federal Direct Loan

Program, which might mean you do not have a choice of lender.



Information Youll Receive



Your school must notify you in writing whenever it credits your account with your Direct or FFEL

Stafford Loan funds.

Loan Limits



The federal government under Title IV of the Family Education Loan Program sets loan limits.

Loan limits vary depending on your student status.



The loan limits described below apply to both the FFEL and Direct Loan programs and are

cumulative.

The limits may be a little confusing because there are two sets of limits for the Stafford loan: a

combined base limit for the subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loan, and an additional limit for

just the unsubsidized Stafford loan.



The program limits are $4,000 per year for undergraduate students and $6,000 per year for

graduate students, with cumulative limits of $20,000 for undergraduate loans and $40,000 for

undergraduate and graduate loans combined.



Dependent Annual loan limit



Freshman $5,500 ($3,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an additional $2,000

unsubsidized)

Sophomore $6,500 ($4,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an additional $2,000

unsubsidized)

Junior or senior $7,500 ($5,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an additional $2,000

unsubsidized)



Independent Annual loan limit



Freshman $9,500 ($3,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an additional $6,000

unsubsidized)

Sophomore $10,500 ($4,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an additional $6,000

unsubsidized)

Junior or senior $12,500 ($5,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an additional $7,000

unsubsidized)

Graduate or professional $20,500 ($8,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized, plus an

additional $12,000 unsubsidized)

Lifetime limits Undergraduate dependent lifetime limit $31,000 (up to $23,000 may be subsidized)



Undergraduate independent lifetime limit $57,500 (between subsidized and unsubsidized)

Graduate or professional lifetime limit $138,500 (up to $65,000 may be subsidized) or $224,000

(for health professions) for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008.



Annual limits, which include both the subsidized and the unsubsidized Stafford Loan are as

follows: $3,500 in the first year $4,500 in the second year $5,500 in the third year $5,500 in the

fourth year.



Consolidation of your Stafford loans



In some cases it may be beneficial for you to consolidate one or more of your FFEL Stafford Loans

into a Consolidation Loan. Consolidating loans can be a great way to simplify repayment and

lower monthly payments, and Direct Loans can be consolidated with other student loans. When

you consolidate your Stafford loans, you are locking in today's low rates, combining multiple

payments into one and lowering your monthly payment.



Final Things To Consider



Stafford Loans carry a low, fixed interest rate, which is set by the Federal government. Stafford

Loans are federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students. Stafford Loans are the

most widely used, low-cost education loans available from the United States Federal government.

A Stafford Loan is a great way for you to secure the extra financial aid you require in order to meet

your needs for college, university or trade school.



Most college or university students can secure a Federal Stafford Loan to assist with their financial

needs. Getting started as early as possible can be the difference between finding financing or not.



Dont delay; your future depends on it. Prepare your college finances for a bright future.



==== ====



Find more Informations here

http://idproducts.us/



==== ====


Shared by: Ana Khabibati
Other docs by Ana Khabibati
Related docs
By registering with docstoc.com you agree to our
privacy policy

You are almost ready to download!

You are almost ready to download!