Student Loan Consolidation Info

For many years, graduate students were only given Stafford Loans as a federal loan option for funding their often costly education. The difference was made up through home equity, savings, salaries and private loans. However, the Graduate PLUS Loan is a new product that became available to graduate students in 2006. Graduate students with good credit can apply on their own signature for a loan up to the cost of education, minus any other aid received. The Graduate PLUS Loan can be applied to tuition, room and board, education supplies, lab and travel expenses. The interest rate is fixed and payments are not required while enrolled in school. Upon graduation, borrower benefits kick in to help students save money during repayment. Or a student may save even more by consolidating this loan using the federal loan consolidation program. The Graduate PLUS Loan truly provides graduate students with a great option to making their graduate education dreams a reality.

Differ from  other loans, a federal loan consolidation program should be for more than $7500 and has very few background checks. The student should not worry about the eligibility requirement as the lender will verify everything with their own resources.

Named for Senator Claiborne Pell, the Pell Grant was established to provide funds that don't need to be repaid directly to the neediest students. This is because it is a grant and not a federal student loan. However, like the Stafford and Perkins Loan, eligibility is based on need, as determined by the cost of attendance and expected family contribution. Since 2003, the maximum Pell Grant award has been $4,050 per academic year. However, due to the rising cost of education, many question why the Pell Grant award has not also increased. The Pell Grant covers, on average, one-third of the yearly cost of education at a public four-year institution. However, twenty years ago, it covered close to 60%. On February 15, 2007, in an attempt to slowly combat this issue, President Bush signed legislation into law that would increase the Pell Grant to $4,310 for the 2007-08 academic year. The following year, the grant will increase to $4,600 and up to $5,400 by the year 2012. These advances are certainly helping students and families fund the cost of education, especially as tuition costs continue to rise

For graduate students who are considered independent or have families of their own to support, or no living parents to assist with educational funding can apply for PLUS loans. PLUS loans are low interest loans for graduate students and parents. These loans are under the same criteria as the Stafford loans, you're required to complete and submit FAFSA and a MPN. Typically direct student loans have a limit on the total amount. Most students manage to get by with loans of $8,000. Direct student loans have a fixed interest rate that is set every July 1st. There is also a loan fee that can be up to 4%. This fee is usually used to offset the cost of the programs or services.