Loans

You are ready to go back to college or maybe you are fresh out of high school. If either applies, it is most likely that you have considered how you will pay for your tuition. During your consideration you probably have viewed numerous types of student loans, including both federal loans and private loans.

To give you an idea of the difference between the loans, lets look at what a private loan looks like.

Private Education Loans, also known as Alternative Education Loans, can be used to help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount the government allows you to borrow in.

Private loans are offered by private lenders, which means you don’t have to complete federal forms and eligibility often depends on your credit score.

Some turn to private education loans when the federal loans don’t provide enough money or when they need more flexible repayment options. For example, a parent might want to defer repayment until the student graduates, an option that is not available from the government parent loan program. (Many PLUS loan providers are starting to allow parents to defer payments on the PLUS loan while the student is in school using an administrative forbearance. Interest continues to accrue, however.)

Private education loans tend to cost more than the education loans offered by the federal government, but are less expensive than credit card debt. The federal education loans offer fixed interest rates that are lower than the variable rates offered by most private student loans. Federal education loans also offer better repayment and forgiveness options. Since federal education loans are less expensive than and offer better terms than private student loans, you should exhaust your eligibility for federal student loans before resorting to private student loans.

Private student loans typically have variable interest rates, with the interest rate pegged to an index, such as LIBOR or PRIME, plus a margin.

The interest rates and fees you pay on a private student loan are based on your credit score and the credit score of your cosigner, if any. Generally, if your credit score is less than 650 (FICO), you are unlikely to be approved for a private student loan. An increase of just 30 to 50 points in your credit score is often enough to get you better terms on your loan.

If you know somebody who can cosign your private loan, you could possibly get a lower interest rate, as such loans are not as risky for the lender. Moreover, the interest rates and fees are usually based on the higher of the two credit scores. So if your cosigner has a much better credit score than you, it could result in a much lower interest rate.

Private student loans may be used to pay for the family’s portion of college costs. While some lenders may offer private student loans in excess of the cost of attendance, any amount exceeding the difference between cost of attendance and financial aid is considered a resource. Like an outside scholarship, this will reduce need-based aid. (Some lenders offer non-school-certified private student loans to bypass this limitation by not informing the college about the loan. If the college becomes aware of the loan, federal regulations require the college to reduce need-based aid. Pending federal legislation would require lenders to tell colleges about all private student loans, eliminating this loophole.)

This cost-of-attendance limitation only applies to education loans, which are loans that make enrollment in college a condition of the loan. It does not matter where the loan proceeds are sent (e.g., direct to the borrower vs to the school) or how the loans are marketed. On the other hand, mixed-use loans, such as home equity loans and credit cards, are not considered education loans and as such are not limited by cost-of-attendance.

The pros of private loans is high, but with a little research you can find out what specifically meets your needs.

Whether you are a first-year law student or a well-established attorney, Law School Loans has a private loan program to fit your needs. Because we only deal with law students and attorneys, we have a specialized view of the financial requirements of our clients. Our private loan applications are easily completed over the phone, and you will know right away if you are approved. We are dedicated to helping you with your private education loans, private loan consolidations, bar loans, and even small business loans.

Let’s face it, completing law school may be an expensive undertaking, and federal student loans usually are not sufficient to cover all of your tuition, housing, and living expenses. Our law school tuition loans are designed to help fill in the gaps so you can concentrate on your education, instead of worrying about how to pay your rent. Our law school tuition loans are credit-based, and they have a variable interest rate. The minimum you may borrow is $3,000, and the maximum is $50,000 per year with a cumulative cap of $250,000. The money you borrow may be used for any of your financial needs, including tuition, housing, or personal living expenses as long as you provide proof of enrollment in a Title IV school (any school that receives federal funding, such as Stafford loans). There are a couple of key requirements to remember, though. First, either you or a cosigner must have at least $15,000 in verifiable annual income. The second thing to remember is that you must make the interest payments while you are in school. You may defer paying the principal for up to three years after you graduate, and we offer some of the longest repayment terms available.

Once you make it through law school, you must study for and pass the bar exam. Law School Loans offers bar loans to allow you to focus on preparing for your examination. Because this may be the most difficult test you have ever had to take, we want to eliminate the stress and distractions your financial obligations may otherwise cause. Our bar loans are also credit-based with a variable interest rate. The minimum you may borrow is $1,000, and the maximum is $20,000. You may opt to begin repaying principal and interest immediately, or you may defer paying the principal for up to six months after you graduate. In order to qualify for a bar loan, you must have attended a Title IV school, and you must be registered to take the bar exam in any state. Another way we ease your anxiety with a bar loan is by disbursing it quickly. Once we receive your signed promissory note, a check will be issued to you within 48 hours.

After you pass the bar exam and hopefully find the job of your dreams, you may realize that you are making several payments each month to different lenders. It may be hard to budget and keep track of your fluctuating interest rates, payment due dates, and many lenders. Wouldn’t life be simpler if you only had to make one payment each month for your private education loans? Law School Loans has a private consolidation program to assist you with this dilemma. Through our private loan consolidations, you may be able to lower the interest rate of your loans, decrease your monthly payments, and simplify your life! Our private consolidations are also credit-based. The minimum we may consolidate is $10,000, and the maximum is $250,000. We offer some of the longest repayment terms available. Oftentimes, increasing your loan term will decrease your monthly payment, allowing you to become established in your new career and really get on your feet. After all, you deserve a reward! With our private consolidations, you may defer paying the principal of the loan for up to three years after you graduate, and again, our application process is simple and quick and can be done entirely over the phone.

Law School Loans is excited about starting two new programs for attorneys. If you are interested in starting your own private practice, we are here to help with that too! We may also be able to assist you with purchasing a commercial building for your practice. We really want to be your only lender!

Law School Loans has private loan programs to help you through each step of your legal profession. We are knowledgeable about the financial requirements attorneys may have and the struggles you may face in the early stages of your career while establishing yourself as a prominent attorney. You do not need to endure these tough times alone. Let Law School Loans provide you with the financial support you need for success.

Author: Hardik Shah
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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