Stafford Loan
Are you in need of immediate financial aid? Stafford loans are definitely a blessing in disguise for all those, who would like to go for their higher education. It mainly focuses to provide loans for the students who would wish to go for their higher studies. Stafford loans are guaranteed by the US government and they offer lower rate of interest compared to other loans. Stafford loans are available both as subsidized and unsubsidized loans. These loans are provided to the students based on their requirements. This type of loans will help you to lessen the burden of your financial problems. This will give you satisfaction and joy of opting for Stafford loans. Then whom are you waiting for? There should be readiness in you and make avail of this offer as early as possible.
Features
Students are allowed to experience the benefits of Stafford loans and gives an opportunity to fulfil their dreams. Every student would definitely dream of achieving something in his academics or in his career and so on. Stafford loans are the most popular student loans available today. The repayment of the amount of the loans will be up to six months period. There will be no prepayment penalty involved and there is no need of credit score. The rate of interest will be low when compared to other forms of financial aid. It is not based on your credit history. The interest for the loan may be deferred while in school and the interest that is paid may be tax deductible. The interest rate of this type of loan is fixed at 6.8%.
Benefits
Stafford loans will enable you to have the following benefits:
- It is available to students either directly from the US department of education or from a financial intermediary.
- Stafford loans are given to the students in their own name and thus do not allow to have any confusion in the process.
- It provides you with the lower rate of interest compared to other forms of financial aid.
- Stafford loans are guaranteed by the federal government and thus will have a fixed rate of interest.
Types of Stafford loans
Stafford loans are classified into:
- Subsidized loans
- Unsubsidized loans
- Direct loans
- Federal family education loan program
Subsidized loans refer to the loans offered to the students based on their financial need. The rate of interest on this type of loan is paid by the federal government while the student is in school.
Unsubsidized loans refer to the loans in which the students are responsible for all the interest that accrues while the student is enrolled in school. The interest rate for this type of loan is charged right from the moment the loan is disbursed, till the amount of the loan is paid.
Direct loans are the loans administered directly to the students and their parents. There will be no scope of confusion during the process of the loan.
Federal family education loan program refers to the private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and loan associations etc., that offer this type of loan. It can be used for the expenses such as tuition and college fees, books, transportation etc.
Pros and Cons
Opting for Stafford loan will have its own benefits. Nevertheless, it is important for you to know the merits and the demerits of Stafford loans:
Pros
This type of loan will help you to get the benefits such as accommodation, books, meals, recreation etc.
Stafford loan is a type of student loan which will provide you required financial aid for higher education.
It is known for its flexibility, quick processing, and the shortest time period that it takes to provide the loan to the borrowers.
It is not required for you to pay the loan back as long as you are attending college.
Cons
Stafford loans are not devoid of its demerits:
In the Stafford loans, the interest payments are added to the loan balance which leads to an increase in the cost of the loan. With this the paying period will be extended.
The interest rates of the bad credit student loans are higher than a normal student loan because of the increased credit risk. You have to make sure that you only borrow the required amount of the loan.