Many college students are left with a mountain of debt to pay off after they graduate. How soon college students can pay back their loans often depends in large part on how they choose their loans and how they manage their debt. There are a few basic rules that can be followed to minimize the burden of educational debt. Before deciding to take on large loans there are some things to consider that can save money in long run.
Federal student loans can save money
One of the best ways to save money is to look for secured loans that have a flexible repayment plan. When you look for secured loans, one of the best loans to obtain is a federal Stafford loan. These loans are government-secured loans for students and they are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The interest rates are lower than most other forms of financing such as private student loans or credit cards. There is no credit check or collateral required and you can defer payments until you graduate.
The Stafford loans are awarded with or without taking financial need into consideration. This loan gives graduate and undergraduate students a way to obtain a loan that is not dependent on how much you or your parents earn. These loans are issued in students own names without a credit check and without needing a co-signer. With the Stafford loans there is a repayment plan that can fit any circumstances. Students are allowed to borrow up to $31,000 to finish their education.
Choose a good school that costs less
Investigating different colleges can potentially save thousands of dollars since schools charge different amounts for their courses. It may be desirable to go to a top school but there are many colleges that offer the same courses with same level of teaching quality. Obtaining a degree in a field of interest is an achievement that employers view favorably no matter what school you graduated from. It is better to get a degree with very little debt from a competent college than to graduate with a mountain of debt in the same field from an Ivy League college.
Another way to stay out of unnecessary debt is to research the annual salaries in the field that you are studying. This allows a look into how easily you can pay back your debt. This lets you realistically plan a student loan debt repayment plan that is manageable. Avoiding the use of credit cards to pay for student expenses can save a lot of money because credit cards carry such high interest charges. Another way to cut down on debts is to work part-time while you are studying. This allows you to still have the time to study while avoiding large student debts.
Crystal Stemberger uses Budgeting in the Fun Stuff to write about finding the balance between paying your bills, saving for your future, and budgeting in the fun stuff along the way.