tion. This credit-based loan allows parents to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, college fees and more, minus any other aid received. Once the loan has been put into the student's account at the school, repayment begins shortly thereafter, at which time the student loan consolidation process can be performed. At a fixed interest rate, the Parent PLUS Loan is an easy and cost effective Students and families are often confused with the variety of options available when it comes to financing a college education. There are a myriad of options, from college scholarships and grants to federal and private student loans.

As part of the Higher Education Act of 1965, President Lyndon Johnson created this law which was intended "to strengthen the education resources of our college and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in postsecondary and higher education." This increased all sources of federal funding provided to universities and added in grants and other forms of financial aid.

The Federal Stafford Loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time at a college or university accepting federal aid. This is a need-based program in which undergraduates may borrow up to $5,500 per year in subsidized funds based on academic level and graduate level students may borrow up to $18,500 per year (up to $8,500 in subsidized funds and the remainder in unsubsidized funds). The funds are sent directly to the school and are applied to the student's account. To ease the financial burden, payments are not required until six months after the student graduates. When looking to apply for a Stafford Loan, students should see what types of borrower benefits each lender is offering. As these student loans are all fixed at the same interest rate set by the U.S. Government, lenders are offering incentives to borrow by way of discounts, such as waived fees, rate reductions for early payment and cash back.

While a Federal Stafford Loan is certainly a necessary start, it doesn't always cover the entire cost of education. A Parent PLUS Loan is a common way that parents contribute to their child's education. This credit-based loan allows parents to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, college fees and more, minus any other aid received. Once the loan has been put into the student's account at the school, repayment begins shortly thereafter, at which time the student loan consolidation process can be performed. At a fixed interest rate, the Parent PLUS Loan is an easy and cost effective s

nce for students in postsecondary and higher education." This increased all sources of federal funding provided to universities and added in grants and other forms of financial aid.

The Federal Stafford Loan is available to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time at a college or university accepting federal aid. This is a need-based program in which undergraduates may borrow up to $5,500 per year in subsidized funds based on academic level and graduate level students may borrow up to $18,500 per year (up to $8,500 in subsidized funds and the remainder in unsubsidized funds). The funds are sent directly to the school and are applied to the student's account. To ease the financial burden, payments are not required until six months after the student graduates. When looking to apply for a Stafford Loan, students should see what types of borrower benefits each lender is offering. As these student loans are all fixed at the same interest rate set by the U.S. Government, lenders are offering incentives to borrow by way of discounts, such as waived fees, rate reductions for early payment and cash back.

While a Federal Stafford Loan is certainly a necessary start, it doesn't always cover the entire cost of education. A Parent PLUS Loan is a common way that parents contribute to their child's education. This credit-based loan allows parents to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, college fees and more, minus any other aid received. Once the loan has been put into the student's account at the school, repayment begins shortly thereafter, at which time the student loan consolidation process can be performed. At a fixed interest rate, the Parent PLUS Loan is an easy and cost effective

unds based on academic level and graduate level students may borrow up to $18,500 per year (up to $8,500 in subsidized funds and the remainder in unsubsidized funds). The funds are sent directly to the school and are applied to the student's account. To ease the financial burden, payments are not required until six months after the student graduates. When looking to apply for a Stafford Loan, students should see what types of borrower benefits each lender is offering. As these student loans are all fixed at the same interest rate set by the U.S. Government, lenders are offering incentives to borrow by way of discounts, such as waived fees, rate reductions for early payment and cash back.

While a Federal Stafford Loan is certainly a necessary start, it doesn't always cover the entire cost of education. A Parent PLUS Loan is a common way that parents contribute to their child's education. This credit-based loan allows parents to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, college fees and more, minus any other aid received. Once the loan has been put into the student's account at the school, repayment begins shortly thereafter, at which time the student loan consolidation process can be performed. At a fixed interest rate, the Parent PLUS Loan is an easy and cost effective

ch lender is offering. As these student loans are all fixed at the same interest rate set by the U.S. Government, lenders are offering incentives to borrow by way of discounts, such as waived fees, rate reductions for early payment and cash back.

While a Federal Stafford Loan is certainly a necessary start, it doesn't always cover the entire cost of education. A Parent PLUS Loan is a common way that parents contribute to their child's education. This credit-based loan allows parents to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, college fees and more, minus any other aid received. Once the loan has been put into the student's account at the school, repayment begins shortly thereafter, at which time the student loan consolidation process can be performed. At a fixed interest rate, the Parent PLUS Loan is an easy and cost effective

tion. This credit-based loan allows parents to borrow the total cost of undergraduate education including tuition, room and board, supplies, college fees and more, minus any other aid received. Once the loan has been put into the student's account at the school, repayment begins shortly thereafter, at which time the student loan consolidation process can be performed. At a fixed interest rate, the Parent PLUS Loan is an easy and cost effective solution to help bridge the gap between Stafford Loan funding and the cost of education.

For many years, graduate students were only given Stafford Loans as a federal loan option for funding their often costly education. The difference was made up through home equity, savings, salaries and private loans. However, the Graduate PLUS Loan is a new product that became available to graduate students in 2006. Graduate students with good credit can apply on their own signature for a loan up to the cost of education, minus any other aid received. The Graduate PLUS Loan can be applied to tuition, room and board, education supplies, lab and travel expenses. The interest rate is fixed and payments are not required while enrolled in school. Upon graduation, borrower benefits kick in to help students save money during repayment. Or a student may save even more by consolidating this loan using the federal loan consolidation program. The Graduate PLUS Loan truly provides graduate students with a great option to making their graduate education dreams a reality.

The Perkins Loan is another federal loan available to both undergraduate and graduate students offered on the basis of financial need, other aid received and availability of funds at each school. The federal government lends schools funds for distribution to its neediest students. The school, therefore, is the lender, and undergraduates may be awarded up to $4,000/year and graduates may be awarded up to $6,000/year. These loans need to be repaid directly to the school and have a fixed 5% interest rate since the program was started. Students can take advantage of a nine-month grace period and a ten-year repayment term. However, if consolidated with any existing federal student loan, including Stafford or Gr