Education Loans are a blessing in disguise, what with the costs of College for four years almost as high as the purchase of a nice car or half a house in Suburbia. In addition, Education Loans are not just for high-end Super Achievers who need only one alternative or supplement to their jobs.

I tout the benefits of going the government student loan route, because I have seen hundreds of needful students benefit — Students who have only one living parent have been granted monies for finishing College/ Students with elder or aging parents have been awarded loans to continue their excellent work/ Students who are on their own have been loaned government money that helped them get through the rigors of College programs when the money was important enough to distract them when they didn’t have it.

There are varieties of venues from which to acquire loan money for school. Below are the first four sources from which you can obtain a College loan.
Federal Loans —
Come in two kinds, Need-Based (like the Stafford Loan, with affordable low interest rates, deductions and discounts) and Non-Need-Based (like the Federal Plus Loan, a loan for parents with undergraduate student children with borrowing allowances up to 100% of the total College costs; with discounts, and with tax-deductible features) are probably the most affordable Education Loans.

Consolidation Loans —
These are loans that are available after College: they help the Borrower/ Graduate reduces payments on Education Loans by enabling him/ her to combine all of the Educational Loans together using one Loan Institution. Even better, for those who have already consolidated, some loan sources enable the borrower to refinance the loan bundle at the more current and more affordable rate(s). Be sure to ask for it!

Teen Esteem Loans —
These are those of a program started by the Teen Esteem Foundation to reduce teenage drug abuse, pregnancy, and suicide. Offered by the primary Loan Institutions who also emphasize involved, concerned support of families and who offer a smooth-going financial aid process.

Private Loans —
These are student loans for students going to private K-12 Schools or private Colleges, loans that can take the place of or supplement Federal Aid. With deferred interest while students are still in school, budget-friendly repayment options, and smooth application processes, private Education Loans make for a viable option.

That is, once you wrap your brain around the numbers, percentages, statistics, and requirements, and once you have an eye on the most beneficial of Education Loans, ask as many questions as you need to before you sign on the dotted line. In addition, while you are filling out forms (of which, be forewarned, there are a lots to do), start filling out Scholarship Applications, too!