Yesterday, we talked about whether or not paying for college should be the parents' responsibility. At the end of the post, I asked what you thought about cosigning a student loan. Is co-signing a great way for parents to help out their kids with the rising cost of college? Or is co-signing a slippery slope that does nothing but hinder both parties? Lots of financial experts … [Read more...] about Should Parents Co-sign a Student Loan?
private student loans
Why Not All Student Loans Are Created Equal
by Mara Strom Some of you may be wondering whether qualifying for a federal loan is really that big of a deal. You figure money is money, and debt is debt. Plus, you've heard that applying for and getting accepted for a private loan is easier and faster. While it's true that any green will pay the bills, not all loans are equally emerald. Here's a look at the major … [Read more...] about Why Not All Student Loans Are Created Equal
Getting Student Loans When You Have Bad Credit
The credit crisis has everyone on edge. If you are planning to take out student loans to help pay for your college education, you, too, may be worrying about how this financial crisis is going to affect you. If your credit rating isn't all that good, your worry is probably pretty intense. But before you hit the panic button, take a deep breath and read this post… it's got … [Read more...] about Getting Student Loans When You Have Bad Credit
The Fate of Private Student Loans
I have never hid my opinion from our readers that, if given a choice, federal student loans are far superior to private student loans. Federal student loans have lower interest rates, more favorable terms (such as income-based loan repayment), don't require a co-signer, and freeze your repayments and interest while you're in school. All these factors, coupled with the … [Read more...] about The Fate of Private Student Loans
Private Loan vs. the Parent Plus
If you've been listening to the news you might have heard that there are historically low interest rates. With that good news, it might come as a surprise to you when you look at interest rates for federal student loans. Starting July 1, interest rates for the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans are going to 6.8% and the Direct Parent Plus Loan is going to … [Read more...] about Private Loan vs. the Parent Plus