When to Apply for Student Loans to Further Your Studies

When to Apply for Student Loans to Further Your Studies.

When to Apply for Student Loans: Student loans have become the backbone of the modern education system due to the fact that college has become more expensive and it is difficult for students without substantial parental support to afford an education.

 

Student loans have made college affordable for many, but federal student loan programs function with broad rules and regulations. These programs don’t always fit every student, leaving many people who want to pursue a college education needing to find other options.

What are the Types of Student Loans?

There are two types of student loans, i.e. the federal and the private. Federal student loans are administered by the government. They can have more forgiving interest terms and they usually don’t require a credit check, so your credit history shouldn’t matter as much. This should make it easier to get federal student loans without needing a cosigner.

The private student loans are lent and managed by private lenders such as banks, credit unions, or institutions that specialize in student loans. Private student loans are more flexible than federal student loans. They require a credit check, but this can work to your advantage if you have a strong credit score.

When to Apply for Student Loans?

In order to apply for federal student loans, you must fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during a specific time. The federal deadline for completing your FAFSA is generally very forgiving, that means that it comes very late in the school year.

For example, the deadline for the 2018-2019 school year is midnight June 30, 2019. However, the federal deadline isn’t the only one that you should be concerned about. Schools have FAFSA deadlines as well that you should be aware of.

Deadlines vary from campus to campus, so be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office if you’re not sure when you need to have your FAFSA completed. However, as a general rule, you should plan on applying for federal student loans before the beginning of the semester that you need funding for.

Can you Apply for a Student Loan during the Year?

Yes, you can! As long as you have filled out your FAFSA before the deadline, you can apply for federal student loans at any point during the school year. However, if the deadline for completing your FAFSA has passed, and you still need student loans, federal may no longer be an option for you.

Luckily, you can generally take out private student loans at any point in time. Private lenders are not restricted by things like FAFSA or semester dates, so you can apply for private student loans as you need them.

How Much Can You Get in Student Loans?

Even after filling out your FAFSA on time, you may still be unable to get federal student loans if you have reached your federal student loan limit.

Student loan limits represent the maximum amount that a student can receive in subsidized and unsubsidized loans, both per semester and over the course of a lifetime.

If you are receiving financial support from your family, then your student loan limits are:

• $5,500 per year for a first-year undergraduate
• $6,500 per year for a second-year undergraduate
• $7,500 per year for third-year and beyond undergraduate
• $31,000 in total

If you are not receiving financial support from your family, then your student loan limits are:

• $9,500 per year for a first-year undergraduate
• $10,500 per year for a second-year undergraduate
• $12,500 per year for third-year and beyond undergraduate
• $20,500 per year for graduate or professional students
• $57,500 in total for undergraduate students
• $138,500 for graduate or professional student (includes loans received during undergraduate career)

What to Do When You Reach Your Student Loan Limit?

Fortunately, private student loans usually don’t have limits, so you may be able to apply for a loan from a private lender.

If a lender is concerned about your capability to pay off the student loans that you’re applying for, see if you can find someone to co-sign. Some lenders allow co-signers to be released on private student loans after a certain period of time and when certain requirements are met.

How to Get Student Loans Mid Semester?

As long as you have not surpassed your borrowing limit (either for the semester or your maximum student loan limit) and you have completed your FAFSA on time, you can take out federal student loans mid-semester. However, if your FAFSA was not completed by the deadline or you’ve reached your student loan limit, then you can still apply for private student loans during the year.

In general, private student loans are a good option if you need more flexibility when you apply for student loans. Private lenders are indifferent when it comes to federal deadlines and limitations, making it easier to apply for them mid-semester.

What are the Documents Required for a Student Loan?

Lenders want to make sure that you are borrowing the money for a legitimate reason and that you will be able to repay what you have borrowed. That is to say that, they need to know a bit more about you before just handing over thousands of dollars. The way that lenders and banks get to know you is through personal and financial documents. Here is a list of some documents required:

1. A valid Social security card

2. Driver’s license or other official identification

3. Proof of enrollment or other school documentation

4. Completed tax return documents

5. Parent’s latest Federal Income Tax Return if the student is dependent

6. Bank statement information. This document can be requested in your bank(s).

7. Records of your recent business, investments, and related financial affairs.

8. Legal documentation of residency if you are a foreigner (e.g. permanent resident card, etc).

9. Other records of income, if any.

StudentsandScholarship Team.