What are Student Loans?
While both the federal government and private institutions offer student loans, federal loans have benefits like fixed interest rates and income-driven repayment plans. Before looking into private loans, you should explore all your options for federal student aid. Find out how much you qualify for by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Direct Subsidized Loans (also known as Direct Stafford Loans or Stafford Loans) Students with a demonstrated financial need may qualify for subsidized student loans. In this type of loan, students do not have to pay interest on loans while enrolled or during a six month grace period after graduation.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans Regardless of financial need, all students qualify for unsubsidized loans. With this type of loan, students are responsible for making interest payments on loans while enrolled.
What loans you qualify for vary based on financial need, how many credit hours you have, and whether you are an independent or dependent student. Continuing and transfer students may apply if they have earned the required number of hours each year with a grade point average of at least 2.0. If you’re a first time borrower who has earned less than 30 hours, you won’t receive any funds until you’ve attended classes for 30 days.
You’re an Independent Student if you’re one of the following:
at least 24 years old married have legal dependents other than a spouse a graduate or professional student a veteran or a member of the armed forces an orphan a ward of the court an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
If you don’t meet the following criteria, you’re considered a dependent student, and your parents might qualify for a PLUS loan.
Qualifying for Student Loans
No matter the type of loan, you must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours to qualify for federal student loans. While you can potentially qualify for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, there are annual limits on the amount you may be eligible to receive each year. No matter your combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, the total combination of your loans won’t exceed the annual limit.
There are also limits on the total amounts that you may borrow during your education (also known as aggregate limits). https://www.paydayloan4less.com/payday-loans-il/ If you reach the aggregate limit, you won’t qualify for any more loans unless you start repaying your loans.
Remember, these numbers are the maximum amounts – the loan amount you are eligible for may be less than what’s listed here. Fill out and submit your FAFSA early to know exactly what you qualify for.
- Dependent Students
- Independent Students
PLUS Loans
PLUS loans are available to qualifying parents of undergraduate students enrolled in at least 6 semester hours, and professional or graduate students. Like with direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, the Department of Education is the lender. Unlike unsubsidized or subsidized loans, however, applicants must not have adverse credit history to qualify.
A credit check will be conducted once you apply to determine your eligibility. The maximum PLUS loan amount you can receive is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you are receiving. Find out more about PLUS loans.
You may have adverse credit history if you have:
- An outstanding balance of more than $2,085 that is more than 90 days delinquent, or that has been charged off or placed in collections in the last two years.
- A default determination in the last five years.
- A bankruptcy discharge in the last five years.
- A repossession in the last five years.
- A foreclosure in the last five years.
Fees and Interest
For most federal student loans, you’ll be charged a percentage of the loan amount as a fee, which will be deducted from each disbursement you receive. While this means the amount you receive will be slightly less than what you borrow, you’re still responsible for repaying the entire loan.
Interest on student loans is calculated based on how much you have in unpaid loans. Depending on whether your loans are subsidized or unsubsidized, you may be responsible for paying the interest on your loans while you’re enrolled. If you don’t make interest payments when you’re responsible for paying them, the amount ount of your loan.
Note: In response to the COVID-19 emergency relief period, the interest rate on all Direct Loans has been temporarily set at 0% until at least . Once the COVID-19 emergency relief period ends, the rates as described in this announcement will be in effect for loans first disbursed on or after .
Federal Perkins Student Loan Program
Federal Perkins Loans were low interest federal loans offered to students who expressed sufficient financial need. As of -18 disbursements, Federal Perkins Loans are no longer available.
Repayment:The Federal Perkins Loan program is a campus-based program, meaning McNeese State University is the lender; however, McNeese has a third party servicer, Heartland ECSI, who handles all Perkins loans for the university. Representatives are available to explain terms and conditions of the Federal Perkins Loan Program, detail repayment options, provide current loan statuses to borrowers, and assist with potential cancellations and forbearance. Heartland ECSI’s information is as follows: