Sallie Mae offers private loans and may be able to help at a lower interest rate. You did not say what your financial aid package already includes but in addition to Stafford loans, many schools offer Perkins loans which usually average 1500/school year. Stafford loans are government loans and Perkins loans come from your school. Talk to your financial aid advisor because he/she will be able to help you avoid scams and high interest rates. Sallie Mae’s site is www.tuitionanswers.com

Good luck, I’m right there with you fighting for more money so I have more time for study. 🙂

You should NOT get a private student loan because they have interest rates.

The best thing for you to do would be to get a federal government loan. Here’s what you need to do to get one:

1) Fill out the FAFSA. This will determine if you are eligible for financial aid. Go here:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

2) Once you are eligible for aid, choose a government-based student loan. The best loan to get is a Federal Perkins Loan. These have low interest rates and the government will help you pay it back as long as you stay enrolled in school. You also don’t need a cosigner or good credit for it. For more info go here:

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/perkins_student_loans.aspx

3) The next best loan to get is a Subsidized Stafford Loan. This has many of the same benefits as a Perkins Loan. Learn more here:

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/student_loans/subsidized_stafford_loan.aspx

4) You can also try to get a grant or scholarship, which is free money that you won’t have to pay back. You can read about them here:

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/financial_aid/college_scholarship.aspx

And here are some good sites to check out:

FedMoney.org Home

http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp

http://www.freegovmoney.net/

http://www.educationplanner.com/education_planner/paying_article.asp?sponsor=2859&articleName=Grants_and_Scholarships

http://www.studentawards.com/

http://www.college-scholarships.com/

Good luck!

Loans must be paid back with added interest. Loans can be awarded based on financial need (subsidized loans) or not on financial need (unsubsidized loans). Your loan eligibility will be determined after your grants, scholarships and Federal Work-Study program(s) have been considered. Know the borrowing basics and be sure to research your loan options carefully. Keep in mind there are student loans (which are generally long-term and have low interest), parent loans (for parents to help pay for college), alternative loans (from banks and lending institutions) and consolidation loans (which combine all your eligible student loans, for one easy payment with possible lower interest). Take note that federal student loans generally have the lowest interest rates and the greatest flexibility. Alternative loans are used to supplement federal loans and are closely based on your credit history. Also, remember to borrow conservatively, accepting only the amount of money you need. Loans can be a lot of help, but the more money you borrow, the more money you will have to pay back, with interest.

There are two types of Federal Stafford Loans available: subsidized and unsubsidized. Eligibility for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans is based on financial need, and the federal government pays the interest on your behalf while you are enrolled at least half time, during your grace period, and authorized deferment periods. Eligibility for unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans is not based on financial need, but you are responsible for paying interest at all times. You may pay this interest while in school, or you can allow it to accrue and capitalize and it will be added to your principal balance to be paid off with the rest of your loan when you stop attending on at least a half-time basis.

You could try Chase Student Loans, http://www.usadegrees.com/chase/ its a division of Chase Bank and Student Loan Advisors, http://www.studentloanadvisors.com works with different lenders as a broker to find you a loan.

Both will send the money directly to you. Apply at both to see who will give you the best deal.

DONT GO THROUGH ASTRIVE!!! there are two types of student loans private and statford. do a stratford they have very low fixed apr. and are controled by the government. private student loans can change your apr and pretty much will screw you the first chance they get. if you have bad credit then you may want to look into a co-borrower. if you have to go through a private lender shop around online for your best deals.

ASTRIVE? well sure, bad idea. I found interesting information about your answer, college loans, scholarships, college grants & partime works here. http://all-student-loan-consolidation.blogspot.com/2007/07/college-loan-consolidation.html Good luck!