Preparing for college can be one of the most exciting and challenging times of a person’s life. Deciding on how you’ll finance your education is certainly one of a student’s larger challenges. Obviously, you should exhaust such options as savings, grants, and scholarships first. But when those options fall short of your needs, a student education loan is a logical choice to fill in the gap.

Student loans come in a variety of flavors, with loans tailored for students with exceptional need, and loans for the needs of average students. There are even loans specifically designed for medical students. There are also federal and private versions of these loans.

It is easy to understand how a student would feel overwhelmed with so many education financing options. But like most things in life, there’s a method to the madness. And with just a little insight into the pros and cons of each loan type, students and their parents can see more clearly the options that are best suited for an individual student’s needs.

Of all student education loan options, the one with the most attractive terms is the Perkins Loan. Perkins Loans have an incredibly low, fixed interest rate of 5 percent. These loans also have a longer “grace period” - the time allowed after leaving school before payment is required. Perkins Loans offer a 9-month grace period, as opposed to 6 months with a Stafford Loan. Another huge benefit of Perkins Loans is that they don’t begin to accrue interest until after you have left school.

Your Perkins Loan may also qualify for Loan Cancellation, which could pay back a portion, or all, of your student loan. Federal Loan Cancellation is offered to graduates who agree to work in high-need areas, such as agreeing to teach in a designated low-income school. The downside of Perkins Loans is that they’re not available for everybody - these loans are designed for students with “exceptional need.”health insurance quotes-To save money on insurance, compare health insurance quotes online.

If Perkins Loans are not an option for you, then Stafford Loans are the next best thing. Stafford Loans offer benefits similar to Perkins Loans, with interest rates currently running in the 5 to 7 percent neighborhood - still very reasonable, as loans go these days. Like Perkins Loans, Stafford loans don’t require repayment until after you leave school or drop below half-time student. They also feature a “grace period” of six months before payments must begin.

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