Worst of all, a defaulted student loan can haunt you later, because it will be recorded as part of your credit history for a minimum of seven years. On a 30-year deal, you might pay 6.36 percent. More than ever, students are now relying on loans to help pay for college. To make smart decisions about borrowing, you need to plan ahead and understand what your options will be when it comes time for repayment. The best way to do this is to use a budgeting calculator available on the website of a major lender, such as Bank of America or Chela Financial. Calculators let you estimate monthly expenses--rent, utilities, food, clothes, car payments, insurance, etc. But if you can't make a monthly installment, you will need to contact your lender or servicer.

School loans

Reid Meets With Education Leaders

KTNV - A recent report shows the average college student graduates with $13,000 in school loan debt. Nevada also has the highest default rate in the nation when it comes to the repayment of school loans after graduation. Keep it tuned to Channel 13 Action ... Read more...


Businesses crying ouch as customers pinch pennies

Detroit Free Press - I got my daughter a cap and gown, but I couldn't order high school graduation photos." The Hebrew Free Loan Association, which offers emergency financial assistance to Jewish people, is providing more short-term loans than ever before to help doctors ... Read more...


School loans

Archived - Student Guide 2002-2003, Federal Perkins Loans
Low-interest, federally backed loans for both undergraduate and graduate students with financial need.

Sallie Mae - Private Student Loans, Stafford, PLUS, Student Loan Consolidation
Provider of federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.Sallie Mae offers comprehensive information and resources to assist students, parents, and guidance professionals with the financial aid process.

eStudentLoan.com - Compare Student Loans and Apply Online!
Offers comparisons of alternative student loans, scholarship search, financial aid information, and more.

Direct Loan Home Page
One of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs provided by the Department of Education that provides students with a way to borrow money to pay for education after high school.

Stafford Loans
Offering subsidized and unsubsidized student loans.

National Student Loan Data System for Students
Department of Education's central database for student aid.It receives data from schools, agencies that guaranty loans, the Direct Loan program, the Pell Grant program, and other U.S.Department of Education programs.U.S. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and Pell grants that are tracked through their entire cycle; from aid approval through closure.

FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Includes an online submission form with necessary documents, deadlines, eligibility, and general student aid information for college students..Official site for the Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

PLUS Loans
Federal loans for parents with good credit histories.

Student Loans, Student Loan Consolidation - Consolidate College Loans with NextStudent
Offering student loans, federal student loan consolidation services, scholarship search engine, and information about FAFSA, Stafford loans, and Federal PLUS loans.

American Education Services
National full-service financial aid organization committed to creating affordable access to education for students and their families.