WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

 

PRIVATE/ALTERNATIVE LOANS

 

A private educational loan requires repayment to the lender.  Most private educational loans offer deferment of payment until six months (can vary) after graduation or withdrawal from school.  During any period of deferment interest is accruing, increasing the amount of the loan.

 

Private educational loans rarely have death or severe disability cancellation provisions as the federal student loans offer. 

 

Before resorting to a private loan you should exhaust all alternatives.  Look into the following options.

 

            ALWAYS file for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA.  Apply for any available federal loans before private loans.  Federal loans provide better repayment terms and conditions than private loans.

 

Use earnings from work to help cover tuition, fees, room, or board changes.  Could you cover your room and board with earnings from work?  The majority of college students are employed in on or off-campus positions.  If you live like a college student while in college, maybe you won’t need to live like a college student after graduation.

 

Are your parents providing financial support for your college costs?  The federal government's need analysis formula calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for each student that files a FAFSA.  This EFC is comprised of a student and parent contribution.  Sit down with your parents to see if they are able and willing to provide additional funding for your college education.  CalArts offers payment plans that can be used to make payments over the course of the semester.

 

Can you reduce the educational expenses being incurred (are you living in an expensive apartment, do you need to purchase a computer, etc?)  Are you budgeting wisely, spending your money on your needs instead of wants?  These questions influence the amount of money that you have available to cover your tuition, fees, room and board.  Any amount that you can deduct from a private educational loan will benefit you in the end.

 

ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENTS AND INTEREST PAID OVER 10 YEARS

 

Loan Amount       8% interest rate    10% interest rate                  12% interest rate                  14% interest rate

 

$5,000                     $60.44                     $66.08                                     $71.74                                     $77.63

total interest          $2,279.90                $2,928.65                                $3,607.76                                $4,326.44

total paid               $7,279.90                $7,928.65                                $8,607.76                                $9,326.44

 

$10,000                   $121.33                   $132.15                                   $143.47                                   $155.27

total interest          $4,559.16                $5,858.15                                $7,216.62                                $8,631.48

total paid               $14,559.16              $15,858.15                              $17,216.62                              $18,631.48

 

Loan amount         8% interest rate    10% interest rate                  12% interest rate                  14% interest rate

 

$20,000                   $242.66                   $264.30                                   $286.94                                   $310.53

total interest          $9,118.32                $11,716.30                              $14,411.24                              $17,264.35

total paid               $29,118.32              $31,716.30                              $34,411.24                              $37,264.35

 

ESTIMATED MONTHLY PAYMENTS AND INTEREST PAID OVER 20 YEARS

 

Loan amount         8% interest rate    10% interest rate                  12% interest rate                  14% interest rate

 

$10,000                   $83.64                     $96.50                                     $110.11                                   $124.35

total interest          $10,075.89              $13,161.66                              $16,425.03                              $19,846.74

total paid               $20,075.89              $12,161.66                              $26,435.03                              $29,846.74

 

$20,000                   $167.29                   $193.00                                   $220.22                                   $248.70

total interest          $20,148.43              $26,323.31                              $32,850.06                              $39,693.48

total paid               $40,148.43              $46,323.31                              $52,850.06                              $59,693.48

 

All figures computed on www.finaid.org\