Private Student Loans...

kristin6727 · May 28, 2012

I would fill out the FAFSA because you may get some money. I never would have thought that I would have ever received money from the government because me and my husband do pretty well. I just wanted to get a loan. When the school told me I had to fill out the FAFSA to get the loan I remember being so annoyed because I figured it was a waste of time. Come to find out I was eligible for financial aid and I have been getting half of my tuition paid for.

jocy_anne · May 28, 2012

I just applied for a private student loan through PNC bank. I haven't gotten an answer yet, so it may not work out, but I'm hoping it will. I think if you Google private student loans, options will come up for you. Most major banks offer student loans.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 28, 2012

Always fill out FAFSA! You might get some grants and money. Even a little is helpful.

As far as personal loans, you can visit branches of your local banks and credit unions (TD Bank, Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, etc.). Sallie Mae also provides private student loans.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 29, 2012

FAFSA is for federal loans so, no, you don't need that for private loans but you should fill it out. To apply for a private student loan, go to the lender's website and fill out their application. I financed my entire education through Sallie Mae.

pat8585 · May 29, 2012

Thanks everyone!

nursetobe745 · May 30, 2012

Hello pat8585

as averyone else said, sallie mae offers private loan, I do have one with them;

but my advice is, fill out fafsa, even if you don't qualify for a grant, you can get a loan and the interest rate is way lower than a private loan.

Nolli · May 30, 2012

You can go through individual credit unions, banks, or use a comparison site. I did all three for my student loans and surprisingly the comparison site worked better(not saying it will 100% of the time). I used the simple tuition one that my school sent out listing all their preferred lenders. I even checked the general non-school associated one that had all lenders in it, but went with one of the preferred lenders after going through all the different competitors because of a better rate. Ultimately you still have to apply to find out the rates and terms, but the tool helped a little because it showed other bonus features that I didn't know loans had like graduation principal reduction or in school payments of small chunks of interest in exchange for a substantially lower interest rate.

Hope that helps

-Nolli

P.S.

Always always always fill out FAFSA even if you don't think you'll get anything it might surprise you and every little bit counts.