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Why You Need a Private Student Loan

For most of people, it is natural instinct to stay away from debt as much as possible. Then again, there are certain situations wherein everything else is present except for money. Getting into postsecondary school or achieving a college degree is a perfect example.

Education CostsContrary to popular belief, today’s students are very much aware of the horror stories related to private student loans. However, many experts now agree that being scared to take out a private student loan debt can hinder the realization of a person’s full potential and can wreak greater financial havoc than staying out of debt. This is glaringly based on how much a college graduate can earn versus a non-degree holder. In a lifetime, someone with a Bachelor’s degree make $2.1 million which dwarfs the $1.2 million lifetime earnings of a high school graduate.
Of course, there are federal aids and scholarship grants available to students, which have been, still are, and shall remain as first options for college education financing. Unfortunately, the cost of postsecondary education has skyrocketed over the recent years. In the last decade, the cost of a four-year course at a public institution rose by 112.5%. Not to mention the fact that government funding for higher education has significantly declined.
Given these circumstances, it appears that a private student loan is the best mean for students to pursue postsecondary education. The negative things associated with private student loans are not really inherent faults of the financial mechanism itself, but on how people handle their debt. If managed properly, taking out a private student loan can be your golden ticket to financial success.
There are student loan experts which can offer a well thought out roadmap on how you can write off your student loan debts. Cedar Education Lending, for instance, can offer private student loan consolidation. It is very common for students to get more than one loan and tracking them can be a headache. Private loan consolidations collapse all these into a single loan which can bring down interest and prolong the payment terms.
Clearly, getting a college degree has become more financially challenging than ever before. Thankfully, there are private student loans which students can avail of. If handled properly, student loan debts need not to be financially debilitating and can in fact be a catalyst for long-term financial success.
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Private Student Loans, Early Bird Gets the Worm

Early Bird

College scholarships and financial aid programs are scarce. Students who are eyeing to land one are in a tight race against each other. In as much as applying for a college grant is a competition based on merits, it’s also an assessment of promptness.
High school students who are really determined to get into college and obtain a Bachelor’s degree should start their hunt for scholarships one year before their intended entry into a university or college, whether it is the summer term, fall term or spring term. For those who really want to get ahead, experts recommend to begin scouting as early as their junior year. It is important to note that deadlines for federal aids, private scholarships, university-given grants and scholarships awarded by organizations vary. Given this, it is very important for aspiring college students to know all the scholarship options available to them in advance and carefully note their cutoff dates. Remember, preference is given to applications received before the deadline and anything that comes in beyond this date will likely be fed to the paper shredder.
Depending on the school or university that you are planning to enter, federal financial assistance and college scholarships may or may not suffice. In the event that the grant cannot cover the entire cost of your college education, one of the most viable solutions is to take out a private student loan. There are a number of private student loans in the market today with varying interest rates and repayment schemes. Students should be discerning enough to scrutinize these options. One way of ensuring that you are getting the best private funding for your college education is by tapping into lending experts such as Cedar Education Learning.
Through this expert advice, prospective college students are presented with the best private student loan possibilities. Additionally, these educational lending experts can also create an effective repayment strategy so student loan debts do not linger that long. An example of a repayment option that Cedar Education offers is private student loan consolidation. Basically, private student loan consolidations merge several private student loans to one. If done properly, private student loan consolidations can bring down interest rates and extend payment terms.
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How To Avoid Private Student Loan Bankruptcy

 

Student Loan Bankruptcy
With the current economic crisis that all of us are experiencing, certain problems like unpaid debts are not uncommon. Unlike before, the cost of living has skyrocketed into heights that left us all uncertain and struggling. One commonly unpaid debt is private student loan. Almost 50% of students who graduated from college owe money to private loan companies, and with the increase in the unemployment rate, some are having a hard time paying off their student loans, and some have no other choice but to file for a private student loan bankruptcy.
What is private student loan bankruptcy?
A student who fails to pay their debts after the usual grace period (which is usually six months) has elapsed. One can file for a student loan bankruptcy if he or she can prove that they are not capable of paying their debt, or that paying off the debt can cause them to live without even the bare necessities. One must prove that his or her income is not enough to pay off the loan. You can also request for an easier payment term from the court, which still shows that you are willing to settle your debts.
Tips to avoid private student loan bankruptcy:
  • be more responsible when it comes to borrowing money. Know all the fees, the rates and the conditions attached to the loan before pushing through with your application. Seek the help of your guidance counselor or the school personnel assigned to explain student loans.
  • find a resolution as early as possible. If you feel that you are not that successful when it comes to managing your finances, seek help as early as possible. Consider doing a private student loan consolidation, to make it easier for you to pay off your debts. Seek help from your guidance counselor, or even your parents. You should not let things get worse for you and your debts.
  • live frugally and within your means. It may be a heady feeling to be able to spend your first paycheck, but it is also more practical to pay off your debts first before splurging. Manage your finances well, and make sure that you pay your monthly dues religiously, since this can also help you build a good credit score, which could be of great help for you in the future. 
Starting off after graduating from college can be really exciting, especially when it comes to sacking that first job. But it also opens you up to the reality of life, which is clearly represented by the private student loan that you have to pay off.

 

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Coping With Private Student Loan Debt

Money for College

With the current economic crisis, newly graduates either find it hard to land a job, or easily get laid off. The continuously climbing unemployment rate makes it difficult for newly grads to get the job that they want, and most often than not, ends up getting a job that is way below their par. Another burden is paying off past student loans, which usually mature six months after graduation. This can be difficult for young graduates who are struggling to establish their careers and do not have that steady job yet.
Although the current government is doing everything they can to improve and solve this problem, the fact still remains that students need to pay their student loans. Until the government finds a better solution to this problem, students may have to stick to these following tips on how to cope with private student loan debt:
  • Manage your money wisely, once you’re out of college, you will be faced with the harsh reality that you have to work in order to earn and to pay off your bills. You may have to live frugally until you find a good-paying job, but for the meantime, you have to make ends meet in order to allot a certain portion of your pay to your student loan repayment.
  • Research on more information on how you could restructure your loan. Talk with your loan specialist so that they could give you some advice on how to make your repayment easier for you.
  • Join support groups who have also struggled with private student loan debt repayment, and you will learn some tips and strategies on how to better cope with your debts. Seek help from parents and friends who can support you until you have found a steadier and better job.

Above all, the best strategy to cope with the burden of paying off a private student loan is to strive hard to earn more. Take two jobs if you must, but the best thing to remember is not to let this ruin your credit standing. Manage your resources well, budget your money wisely and most of all, be responsible enough to pay off the money which helped you through college. It is your responsibility to pay it off, and you can do it by taking responsibility not only of your debt but of your life as well.

 

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The Benefits of Having Private Student Loans

Student Loan Benefits

Tuition fees and other academic expenses can be a problem not only for parents but for students as well. With the currently dwindling economy, it is hard to determine if it is still possible to attain quality education for free. Thus, it is important to exhaust every possible avenue available in order to ensure that one will have the chance for a brighter future through good education.
One of the common lifeline’s of financially challenged families is student loans. Whether it is a federal or private student loan, students avail of these opportunities in order to continue their studies. Although federal student loans offer lower rates, they usually set a limit to the amount being borrowed, and most of the times, this amount is not sufficient in covering a student’s educational expenses.
Thus, a private student loan is a good alternative, it not a supplement to the federal student loan that students avail of. Although this type of loan mostly depends on one’s credit ratings, it is far more flexible as compared to a federal loan. So the question arises: what are the benefits of private student loans?
First, private student loans are not that strict when it comes to their requirements. Almost everyone can apply for a loan, and only minimum requirements like unofficial transcript of records or letter of acceptance from the school are needed in order for your loan to be processed. Second, private student loan companies offer better customer service assistance. They make sure that you are well-taken care of, and that they are able to answer your every concern. Lastly, with private student loans, you can easily consolidate your other private student loans into one manageable account, making it easier for you to pay off your past and existing loans.
When choosing for a private loan company, make sure that you check out all of your options by comparing their rates, their payment terms and their reputation when it comes to their services. Ask around, ask as many questions as you can when it comes to hidden fees, interest rates, and pre-cancellation penalties. It is best to know everything before applying for a loan.
Earning a degree may be hard, more so if you are financially challenged, but it is good to know that there are companies who are willing to lend a hand into ensuring that you get that degree.
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How Much Private Student Loan Debt Do You Have?

 

Student Debt
More and more students turn to federal and private student loans to pay off their tuition fees and other school expenses. This has even earned the attention of major lawmakers, since the numbers are continuously climbing up, which proves that more and more families are finding it difficult to send their children to college.
Since more students are depending on these private student loans, more and more students ask themselves how much private student loan debt they currently have. Why is this so? One reason is that most students borrow from different student loan companies without even realizing that they are borrowing more than they can pay. Idealistically, they are counting on the fact that they can land their dream job which pays more than enough for them to pay the loan off. However, after graduation, they are faced with the harsh reality that it is not that easy to get a job that would pay them enough. Thus, they end up with an overhead of debts.
So, how do you prevent this from happening? First, know more. Know more about the terms and conditions, fees and interests of different student loans being offered to you. Talk to your guidance counselor of whoever is in charge of explaining the details of private student loans in your school. It is best to be armed with knowledge rather than fall into a trap. Next, talk to your loan officer. Ask as many questions as you can. Are their interests fixed or variable? Do they charge other fees aside from the interest? What are their payment terms? What are actions that result to penalties? Make sure that you know everything you need to know before you go ahead with the application.
Lastly, manage your budget wisely. If your schedule permits it, get a part-time job and save some money so that after you graduate, you have enough bread to get you through until you find a really steady and good paying job. Be wise when it comes to spending your money, and make sure you pay your monthly repayment dues on time. A good credit standing can earn you lower interest rates and even discounts.
Applying for a student loan is not bad, as long as you know the ins and outs of the situation. Be wise enough to plan ahead on how you are going to pay it after you graduate, so that you will not be surprised with the sudden responsibility of paying off debts after you graduated. Be matured enough to take responsibility.
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Saving Money Consolidating your Student Loans

Once you have graduated from college, it is now time to face a new world and start paving your own career path. However, it is also important to look back and pay off the private student loan companies who assisted and helped you through college expenses and tuition fees. Paying off several student loans can be very stressful, and it is very hard to budget your finances if you have to pay for them on different dates of the month. A great solution to this problem is via private student loan consolidation. Managing your monthly loan payments into one account can be a great help, and can better enable you to effectively budget your money and even lower your monthly repayment fees.

Although you cannot consolidate your federal and private student loans, it is best to consolidate them separately, in order to enjoy the benefits from both of them. Federal student loans will definitely give you lower rates once consolidated, so it will be far easier than consolidating your private student loans. Thus, it is best to be wise when it comes to private student loan consolidation.
Here are some helpful tips to save money with private student loan consolidation:
  • Scour the internet for a list of companies who offer the most competitive rates and repayment schemes. Make a list and narrow it down to three to four companies, before finally contacting them.
  • Once you have contacted these companies, make sure to ask questions. Some of the most important questions that you can ask are: Are your interest rates fixed or variable? Are there any other fees involved? Are there any pre-payment or cancellation penalties? It is best to be clear, so that you won’t be surprised if there are other additional fees you are being charged with.
  • Maintain a good credit rating. Borrowers with a good credit rating will of course have lower monthly payment rates, so be sure that you have a good credit rating.
  • Lower your monthly repayment fees by extending your repayment period. Some companies offer up to 25 years when it comes to repaying their loans. Choose which scheme is best for you, so that you can plan your finances ahead.
Choosing the best private student loan consolidation company can really be a tough decision to make, and it is best to choose a company with a known reputation when it comes to transparency and integrity. Choose a company who will offer you the best rates and repayment terms, to help you repay all your loans the easier and most convenient way possible.
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The Student Loan Debt Bomb Bill: What You Should Know

Concerns about the continuously ballooning percentage of unpaid student loans have prompted several lawmakers to pen a bill that would help lessen the number of students who have flunked out from paying their loans. The initially idealistic plan of letting students borrow money to sustain their education, then pay later once they are capable enough to earn has turned into something of a major economic concern.
Although there has been several restructuring that have been done with the payment and interest scheme, but it seems like it has been tainted with the current economic crisis that has affected not only the United States but some of the power countries as well. Thus, a bill called The Student Loan Debt Bomb Bill was created. Also known as The Know Before You Owe Act, this bill aims to:
  •  Impose schools to educate their students and their parents about the available federal student aids that they can avail, before resorting to applying to private student loans.
  •  It also requires schools to be stricter when it comes to confirming vital information related to private student loans.
  •  More awareness when it comes to the different terms and conditions both of federal and private student loans
  •  Their awareness about their awareness to reject or cancel a private student loan under the legal laws.
Apart from these main points, students and lenders are also required to meet several requirements like double-checking the current status and the amount needed by the student from the school, a quarterly update to borrowers about their payables, and a report a certain student loans standing to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This is to ensure that both parties are doing their responsibilities with each other.
This is a good bill, since it both protects the students and private student loan providers from unwanted situations like unpaid loans. Students are more aware of their benefits, and may very well exhaust all available resources offered by the government before turning to private student loan companies. If they do, they will be assisted by their schools in getting a loan that would be easier for them to pay. Private student loan providers, on the other hand, can partner with schools in getting borrowers who are good payers and are capable of paying what they borrow.
This bill is designed to help both the borrower and the lender, and let us hope that it will also help the economy put off another debt bomb in the form of student loans.
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Is Private Loan Consolidation Right For You?

 
One of the most common problems of college graduates nowadays is paying off their private student loans. It is a very stressful thought, especially if you have a loan with different companies, and all of them are maturing at the same time. Obviously, a fresh graduate who is just starting out with his or her job cannot pay off the loans in full, thus, a good strategy is to consolidate all your existing loans into one manageable account.
 
You might think that either they are multiple accounts or just one big account, the end result is still the same: you still have to pay your debts. So ask yourself: is private loan consolidation right for you? If you are unsure of your answer, try listing down the benefits of consolidating your private student loans, and then weigh them down. Surely this can help you decide whether or not this is the right choice for you.
 
Benefits of Private Student Loan Consolidation
 
  • Better budget management- having one manageable account is better rather than juggling multiple accounts with your two hands. This can also let you schedule your payments easier, rather than having multiple payment periods in one month.
  • Ease of mind- having one monthly loan payment to think of is healthier for your state of mind, rather than thinking of multiple payment dues in one month.
  • Lower rates- having consolidated your debts, the consolidated rate will be more minimal than what you were paying before, since your loans will be under one interest rate only.
  • Fixed interest rates- most often than not, your loan company will give you a fixed interest rate for your consolidated debt, so it will be easier for you to budget your money and prepare for your monthly payment rates.
  • Flexible payment terms- you can choose whether to pay for it within 10, 15 or even 25 years. It all depends on which is most convenient for you. However, try to compute if paying for it long term will save you money, rather than paying for it at a shorter amount of time.

When looking for a good private student loan consolidation company, look for one that provides you with all the information you need. Ask your loan specialist if their rates are fixed or variable, if there are any other fees (beware of hidden fees), and their available payment terms. It is possible to easily pay off student loans. All it takes is good money management and strategy.

 

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Colleges are listening?

A growing number of colleges are taking smart measures to attract more students by cutting tuition or speeding up the rate at which they graduate.

While some private colleges are introducing double-digit percentage cuts in tuition or freezing prices altogether, other schools are offering three-year degree programs or four-year graduation guarantees.

In part, these schools are responding to consumers’ concerns about the rising cost of college.However, one has to be careful that all is not what it appears. Tuition cuts and freezes are usually accompanied by reduction in financial aid.The University of Charleston, for example, may be slashing tuition but it’s also reducing the amount of financial assistance that’s available to students to $10 million from $15 million. Instead of making cuts, other schools are freezing tuition at current levels or giving students four-year tuition guarantees. This still means students need to take out student loans and they need to continue to be smart about shopping around for private student loans.

While making school more affordable for students has become more common, it’s still far from a widespread trend. Many more schools continue to hike tuition, he said. Overall, tuition at private colleges has been increasing more than 4% each year for the past three years, according to the National

At least 14 additional colleges have frozen tuition for the upcoming school year — the highest number of tuition freezes on record.

A degree in four years or less: With average tuition at four-year private colleges costing $28,500 a year, according to the College Board, failing to graduate on time is a costly proposition. As a result, some colleges are reducing the time it takes to graduate or guaranteeing that students will get their degree in four years.

Beginning next year, Ashland University in Ohio is granting bachelor’s degrees that can be completed in three years instead of four — saving students an estimated $34,000 in tuition costs and giving them a year’s head start in the work force.

Ohio’s Baldwin-Wallace College is introducing a “Four-Year Graduation Guarantee” program this fall. Under the program, the school guarantees that students who meet certain requirements, like maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher, will graduate in four years. If not, the college will pay for the extra time.

Some colleges are taking it a step further by offering joint-degree programs that allow students to graduate with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in four years. Simmons College in Boston is offering joint-degrees in areas including social work and public policy, while Wilson College in Pennsylvania is launching a program that lets students graduate with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in humanities.

Meanwhile, Lipscomb University in Tennessee is reducing the number of credits students need to take to graduate on time from 132 hours to 126 hours for the 2012 school year — the equivalent of about two classes.