American life is now dominated by student loans. A total of 45 million Americans are currently owed student loans. Nearly 90 percent of these originated from the federal governments.
It is evident that persons are more inclined to borrow federal funds than to obtain a private loan. There are several reasons why students should use federal loans first before using private ones.
Both kinds of student loans are acceptable, but they can also be used in certain situations. Let’s now compare federal student loans to private student loans.
WHAT DO FEDERAL STUDENT LEANS GET YOU?
As you already know, most student loan proceeds are federal. Federal student loans are generally more beneficial than private loans. That is why it is important for students looking for financial aid to obtain all of the federal funding available before moving to private loans.
The federal loan programs are not all the same. There are four major types of federal student loans. These include Direct Subsidized loan, Direct Unsubsidized loan, Direct PLUS loan, and Direct consolidation loan. The first three are common loans. The fourth is a consolidation loans that allows borrowers the ability to combine many federal loans into one.
One of the options is the best, and the most beneficial, over private loans. While a Direct Plus Loan might be a good option for a Student loan refinance, Later, we will discuss refinancing when talking about private loans.
These are a few advantages of federal loans that often outweigh private loans.
1. Fixed interest rates at lower rates
Federal loans will be subject to lower interest rates than those on the private marketplace, at least for Direct Subsidized Loans and some Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The interest rate on federal loans is fixed, so it won’t change over time.
Private loans often have variable interest rates. They can fluctuate depending upon market conditions. This can result in unexpectedly increasing your interest rate, potentially making the loan more costly.
2. Inherent payment benefits
Some federal loans have certain benefits for borrowers, such as income-driven payments, forgiveness options, or the ability to not pay interest until after graduation. Private loans don’t offer many of these desirable features.
3. Not dependent on credit
Federal student loans do not require you to demonstrate creditworthiness. Private loans however will not allow you to prove creditworthiness.
There are many benefits to federal loans. That is why students should max out their federal borrowing prior to taking out private loans. Private loans can still be better than federal loans, but they have less desirable federal loans like Direct PLUS Loans.
What are the advantages of private student loans for students?
Although they are not generally seen in the same light as federal student loans, private loans can have their advantages. Here are some of these benefits:
1. Refinance can be possible
Federal student loan refinances do not exist. You can refinance your student loan by taking out a private mortgage.
But is it possible to refinance It is the simple act of taking out a loan that will pay off an existing loan and then replacing it. This option is useful if you are looking to lower the interest rate, extend your repayment term, or add a cosigner.
2. Private loans can be defaulted on
One of their most unfortunate aspects is that federal student loans can’t be discharged if the borrower files to bankruptcy. Private loans may be discharged once you have filed bankruptcy.
There are distinct benefits to both federal and private student loan. The benefits of each type over the other will help you determine which one is most appropriate for your specific situation.