Designed by the federal government to assist people with the education payment, Stafford student loan are widely appreciated across the United States. Low income is the main criterion of eligibility for Stafford student loans. The payment deferment options, the low interest rate and the chance to consolidate education loans represent the main advantages of Stafford student loans. There are nevertheless limitations to this kind of loan and they are first and foremost noticed in the amount of money provided. Sometimes, the loan will not be enough to pay for the entire education costs and you may need to find financial support elsewhere.
Fill in a First Aid for Students Agreement or FAFSA and based on it, you’ll be able to access not only federal loans but grants and scholarships too. This additional sums of money could in fact provide the alternative financing sources when you lack the means to pay out of the pocket. The repayment for the Stafford student loans starts six months after graduation or school withdrawal. This period during which no payment occurs, bears the name of grace period.
Stafford student loans can be classified in two categories: subsidized and unsubsidized. Based on demonstrated financial need, the government pays for the interest rates while you are studying. In the case of unsubsidized Stafford student loans, the interest rate corresponding to the years of study, accrues and capitalizes to the initial debt.Most loans have the rate set at 6.8% which is considered a fixed value for most loan providers in this federal government system. Even lower rates are possible with some other programs.
A better alternative to Stafford student loans are Perkins loans that have a 5% interest rate and are granted to students with the direst financial situation. Yet, neither of these two federal loan systems will be able to cover all the undergraduate, graduate and post graduate degrees. Therefore, other sources become necessary for financing either from personal income and savings or from study-work conditions. Some families go as far as making home equity loans when their children do not qualify for unsubsidized stafford student loans.