Student loans: what are they and how do you apply

Heading off to college marks an incredibly exciting new chapter. If you’re a parent, it’s a huge milestone for your child. However, there’s no escaping from the fact that it is expensive. This guide to student loans takes you through what to expect when figuring out how to pay for higher education.

What is a student loan? 

Student loans have become increasingly common. This is mainly due to the high price of college tuition, which has rocketed over the last number of years – more than doubling since 2000. Today, according to Education Data Initiative, the average cost of college in the US is over $35,000 per year, including books, supplies, and living expenses. 

To combat these prices, most college attendees, or sometimes their parents, will take out a student loan.  

A student loan is an installment loan that pays for college and its related costs, including tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. You’ll eventually repay the borrowed money, alongside any interest and fees associated with them added on top. 

Like other loans, this interest, in the majority of cases, starts accruing as soon as you receive the money. So, while you’re in college, working on your degree, your loan will build interest in the background.  

While parents can start saving for college from an early age – some parents start saving straight after they’ve left the delivery room through plans such as a 529 Savings Plan, a tax-free plan that lets you put aside money regularly and invest it to help grow the tuition pot – the majority of students will need a loan. 

According to Education Data Initiative, 92.8 million Americans have had student loan debt at some point, while Forbes state 55 percent of students from public four-year institutions had student loans, and 57 percent of students from private non-profit four-year institutions took on education debt.  

Are there different types of student loans? 

Not all student loans are the same. There are two different types– a federal loan and a private loan.  

As the names suggest, federal student loans are from the government, whereas private student loans come from private entities such as banks, credit unions, online lenders, or other financial institutions. 

There are some key differences between federal and private student loans: 

Federal loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education. They are the largest provider of student aid. According to Federal Student Aid, the federal student loan portfolio totals over $1.6 trillion, owed by about 43 million borrowers.  

There are four different federal loan options available depending on your financial need: 

The amount you can borrow in federal student loans varies depending on your standing. 

According to Federal Student Aid, if you are an undergraduate student, the maximum amount you can borrow each year in Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans ranges from $5,500 to $12,500 per year. 

If you are a graduate or professional student, you can borrow up to $20,500 yearly in Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You can also use Direct PLUS loans for the remainder of your college costs. 

If you are a parent, you can receive a Direct PLUS Loan for the rest of your child’s college costs not covered by other financial aid. 

Private loans are typically more expensive than federal loans. Their terms are to the chosen provider, meaning interest rates and repayment plans vary.  

A good credit score will go a long way in securing the best terms. However, to secure a private loan, undergraduates generally need a co-signer.  

How do you apply for a student loan? 

When applying for a federal student loan, you start with the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a series of questions and documents you must fill out to see if you qualify for student aid and how much you qualify for.  

With the information you provide, the FAFSA determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which details how much student aid you are eligible to receive. It’s important to note that by the 2024-2025 school year, the EFC will be renamed to the Student Aid Index (SAI). 

Once you are accepted to colleges, the financial aid office at your college will send you an award letter detailing how much student aid you will receive. 

This is done by subtracting your EFC from their cost of attendance (COA), including tuition, fees, on-campus accommodation, and other expenses. You can then respond to your letter and accept or reject your offer.  

Private loan applications vary by your provider. However, most require your financial and school information, intended graduation date, and how much money you need.   

How do you repay your student loans? 

For federal loan recipients, you do not have to start paying back your student loans until six months after graduation. 

When you do so, there are multiple different ways to repay, including: 

Federal student loan recipients can change their repayment plan for free once every year, subject to certain circumstances.  

For private student loan recipients, repayments depend entirely on the lender, with repayment terms agreed upon when you take out the loan. 

Whether you’re wondering how to take out or repay your student loans, it’s wise to seek expert advice. 

Financial advisors are on hand to provide advice and guidance by taking the time to learn all about your situation and create a tailored plan to meet your financial goals.  We can connect you to a trusted financial advisor tailored to your needs.  

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