Nicole Said:

Can I get federal loans for my personal trip during college?

We Answered:

1 year I took part of my "loan" money to go to KY.. Once you get that money it is yours to do as you please. Just remember that money MUST be paid back. You can only borrow so much each year and a max per lifetime (until you pay some back). Also be sure you keep enough money to the side in case of car trouble, problems at home (something breaks). you hve an accident and total your car and have to pay for a way to school, computer breaks, etc. Lots of possibilities.. So plan wisely

Claire Said:

If kids from large families take out bigger federal loans for college, who is subsidizing large families?

We Answered:

Technically where I am, the Lottery is subsidising it. And the Lottery is just a tax on people who can't do math. I'm ok with that. Our Universities are primarily state funded.

As for other grants and loans, I'm not going to complain about anything that get a child through school.

Craig Said:

are federal loans for college a good idea?

We Answered:

Sweetie,
I hate to break it to you, but unless you or your parents have about.... $36,500 laying around... a total of $146,000 over the the next FOUR years... you can't afford that private school.

The loans you are being offered are not "small" for someone who doesn't likely make above minimum wage (you). You need to consider a few other schools that are more within your and your parents budget.

Good luck.

And Yes, federal loans for college ARE a good idea if you have no other way to pay for school like scholarships, grants or parents help. Private student loans on the other hand are a very bad idea.

Jennifer Said:

College loans. Cant pay them and being sued.

We Answered:

What company did he take out a loan with? I've never heard of a student being sued because he didn't make his payments. I know MANY students who don't make their payments and if anything, they are defaulting on their student loans and that does go on your credit record for a while. But usually, if a student is able to make payments, they make some arrangements with you. Frankly, the guy your son talked with was an a$$hole and I would ask to speak with someone else because it is never too late to make payments. Also, if your son defaulted and it goes on his credit record, it will be hard for him to get loans in the future or buy a car or house for some years but he'll survive. He DEFINITELY won't be able to take out any other student loans until he gets that one cleared up or comes to some agreement with the agency. But if he has nothing, they can't take anything, but if they really are suing, he could end up having his wages garnished.

Johnny Said:

Where should I borrow college loans from? Federal or private?

We Answered:

Note that the schools published "Cost of Attendance" is not how much you have to pay directly to the school. THere are other expenses factored in that are indirect costs that you may not need to buy... certainly not BORROW for (shampoo, toiletries, pens, pencils - This is what your Work Study job, if you find one, will be for).

So, when determining how much you need to borrow, figure out EXACTLY how much you are going to have to pay the school... tuition, fees, books, room and board and forget about the cost of attendance. I'm saying this because your school has an INCREDIBLY high cost quoted and I'll bet if you look closely, your 8,000 is not necessary.

But, if it is... you (as a dependent freshman) can borrow UP TO 5500 in federal Stafford loans... and they are only offering you 3,500 (Federal direct Sub loan).... so you CAN get 2,000 more if you need it. Another option is to ask the parents to do a federal parent PLUS loan. This is a loan that THEY repay.

PS: If I were you I'd make sure that 36,700 scholarship and grant is renewable (and possibly guaranteed) every year.... most extremely expensive schools such as this LURE students in and give them huge amounts of (institutional-school) scholarships their first two years and then their last two years (jr and sr) year the students don't get hardly ANYTHING because they know it's too late for the student to transfer to a cheaper school by then. So you may need to pay say... 8,000 this year, and perhaps 12,000 next year... but when you are a jr and sr you'll have to pay the full 50K each year. Unless you have that kind of money stashed away I wouldn't want to risk it... you aren't GUARANTEED any scholarships those last two years and you certainly won't be able to borrow that on your own... you'd have to ask the parents to do a PLUS loan for you.

PSS: Private loans are evil and you should avoid them at all costs. You would need a cosigner anyway.

Clifford Said:

Federal loans for college?

We Answered:

You can take out a private loan (you don't want to do that). My college offers some loans (some need cosigners, some don't. All of them have higher interest and they all need to be paid back in 6 months or otherwise people will be hunting you down).

It is not even June yet, apply for jobs, hopefully you will get one, and save up money for books and laptop. (And you don't NEED a laptop, the school will have plenty of computers. You won't like using their computers all the time, but if you can't afford a new laptop then you have no other choice. Me, I have a laptop (hand me down and over 5 years old, doesn't work well) and I cannot use the internet on it. I only can use it to type papers. I had a ton of online assignments, especially last semester, so I was forced to spend hours each week in the library. Did I like it? No, not at all. Did I get through the semester fine? Oh yes, and got a good grade in my classes too. Point? YOU'LL LIVE.)