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With College Come Financial ResponsibilitiesBetween homework, tests, class schedules, a part-time job, and the pressure to maintain acceptable grades, college thrusts students into a world of increased responsibilities. And financial responsibility, the one that could most affect you in the long run, often gets lost in the crazy shuffle of your college life.
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These federal student loans carry no application fees, no prepayment penalties, and student borrowers can postpone making payments as long as they’re enrolled at least half time. If, even after scholarships and federal financial aid, you still have school-related expenses to cover, a private student loan could make up the difference. NextStudent Private Student Loans are available year-round, so you can apply at any time throughout the year, and there’s no cost to apply. Federal student loans typically offer more attractive terms than private student loans, so always take advantage of your federal student loan options before turning to private student loans. Ask the Money Questions Whichever student loans you’re considering, make sure you get all the information you’ll need to decide which type of student loan is best for you and your financial situation:
Keep the Credit Cards Under Control Don’t get conned by slick advertising and “free” or “zero-interest” offers—there’s almost always a catch, and that catch can involve interest rates of 20% or more. Here are the basic rules that’ll keep you from digging yourself into a pit of credit card debt: Use your credit cards for emergencies only, or for small regular purchases like gas for your car, when you don’t have $40 in cash on you. Don’t spend more than you have. If it’s not in your budget and you can’t pay for it with your spending money allowance, don’t buy it. Want that new iPod that costs more than your monthly entertainment budget? Save up a few months’ spending money, and keep it off the card. Remember that credit cards aren’t like your student loans. You can’t put off making payments just because you’re still in school, and if you’re experiencing financial difficulties or having trouble making your monthly payments, a credit card doesn’t come with deferment or forbearance options that allow you to temporarily postpone making payments. � Don’t Shirk Your Repayment Responsibilities Here at NextStudent, we know that life can throw you a few curveballs. We also know that money isn’t always easy to come by. As a student lender we understand that if you’re having trouble making your monthly payments, you might be embarrassed or just not want to deal with it. But, for the sake of your credit score, it’s absolutely imperative that you communicate with your lenders if you find yourself unemployed or going through a period of financial difficulty. Federal student loans offer extended, income-sensitive and graduated repayment plans that could lower your monthly payment and help make repayment more affordable. You also have deferment and forbearance options in case you need to temporarily postpone making payments altogether. If you have private student loans without these federal benefits, you may still be able to work out a workable payment plan with your lender. The main thing is to contact your lender. Most lenders will want to work with you. Don’t just stop making payments, waiting for your situation to get better. After enough missed consecutive payments, your student loans could go into default. If you default on a federal student loan, the government can decide to garnish your wages. Having a defaulted student loan could also keep you from being able to take out most other kinds of loans, whether you’re looking to finance a new car, a house or another semester at school. Consolidate Your Student Loans Once you’ve left school or dropped below half-time enrollment, a Federal student loan consolidation allows you to bundle all your eligible federal student loans into one easy-to-manage loan with a fixed interest rate. By consolidating your student loans, you could cut your payments nearly in half and get up to 20 more years to repay. With no credit check, no fees and no cost to apply, a student consolidation loan is one of the smartest moves a responsible student loan borrower can make. NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and we’re dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.
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Article Tags: Student Loan Consolidation, Student Loans, Student Debt Consolidation, Federal Student Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Student Loan, Federal Loan Consolidation, Student Loan Information, Educational Financing, Educational Loans, College Funding, Next Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/with-college-come-financial-responsibilities-227405.html About the Author:
Jeff Mictabor is an enthusiast on the topic of student loan issues in the news. He has been writing for the past 10 years for a variety of education publications. He now offers his writing services on a freelance basis.
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