According to MeasureOne, private student loans make up 7.89 percent or $131 billion of outstanding US student loans. Like federal loans, they are used to pay for college costs including education and living expenses. The main difference is that private loans originate with a bank, credit union or online lender that sets parameters on how much you can borrow and how you can spend the money. They also carry fewer borrower protections than federal loans and tend to be more expensive. Since their interest rates vary over the life of the loan, you could suddenly face higher monthly payments—especially as interest rates continue to climb.

Private student loans are best used to fill a payment gap after you max out federal loans. It is important that you make on-time payments since they are considered in default if they are more than 120 days past due. Most private lenders will then sell your debt to a collections agency or might even pursue a lawsuit. You are required to have excellent credit to qualify for the lowest advertised rates on private loans. Most borrowers are charged higher interest rates—sometimes double-digit. In addition, private loans are practically never forgiven.

Private Student Loans

Private student loans are nonfederal loans offered by private organizations such as banks, credit unions, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations.

Federal Student Loans

Federal student loans are funded by the federal government, with terms and conditions set by law.

• Cosigned Loans


If you take on a cosigned loan, you are accepting responsibility for the private student loan if the original borrower is unable to pay as agreed. Whatever you cosign will show up on your credit report as if the loan is yours. Depending on your credit history, this may impact your credit score.


• Sallie Mae


Sallie Mae is one of the largest private student loan lenders in the industry. It lends to borrowers who are often ineligible for student loans from other lenders, such as DACA students or foreign residents. Its loans cover:

• Undergraduate
• Graduate
• Career training
• MBA
• Medical school
• Dental school loans
• Health profession programs
• Graduates studying for the bar exam or relocating for medical and dental residencies

• Compare Private Student Loans


Not all private student loans are the same. That’s why it’s important to compare your options before deciding which one is right for you. Questions to ask yourself include:

• What is the interest rate range?
• Can you choose a variable or fixed interest rate?
• Any student loan fees, like an origination fee?
• Is there a choice of in-school repayment options, including fixed, interest only, or deferred?
• Are there benefits that help you lower your interest rate?
• Is there a program that lets you make more manageable payments ‑ like interest only- for a set amount of time after graduation?
• Are there other benefits that make the private student loan superior?
• Is the company reputable?

There are still ways to get relief from a private student loan

Even though private student loan cancellation is unlikely, there are still strategies you can take to ease your debt burden:

• Pause payments on federal student loans


Lowering or pausing the payments on federal loans and then redirecting that money to pay off your private loans quickly makes sense for two reasons. First, private student loans typically carry higher interest rates than federal loans. Second, they have fewer options to access affordable repayment plans. Your total federal student loan debt will increase due to interest accruing during this time. But you can take advantage of repayment plan forgiveness after making at least 240 qualifying payments.


• Loan Payment Assistance Programs


Many states have programs that award loan repayment assistance to borrowers who work in certain professions. Eligibility requirements vary by profession, but the most common occupations are medical professionals and lawyers. Other career paths may qualify depending on where you live.


• Refinance for a lower interest rate


If you have good credit and a clean credit history, you can refinance your private student loans at a lower interest rate. Many lenders will let you choose between a fixed and a variable rate. A fixed rate stays the same until you pay the loan in total, while a variable interest rate goes up or down depending on the market. Use a site like Credible to compare loan terms and repayment programs with multiple lenders.


• Speak with your lender about repayment options


Private student loan servicers typically offer temporary interest-only repayment terms and deferment or forbearance options, which lets you postpone payments. Deferment is usually an option if you return to school or are active-duty military. Forbearance is typically an option for borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to job loss or medical issues.


• Settle your debt


Private student loan companies accept settlements for borrowers who have missed monthly payments and defaulted on their accounts. Settlement terms vary by lender. It is not uncommon to pay 40-70% of the current loan balance in a lump sum, through monthly payments, or a combination of both.

• Bankruptcy


Although the process is not without its hurdles, private student loans can be discharged if you file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. After you get a discharge, you will need to file an adversary proceeding and prove the private student loans are an undue hardship.

• Look for loans specific to your program of study or needs


Some lenders offer loans that are specialized for a major, including medical school, a business degree, or law. If this describes your degree, you might want to start with those type of loans. If you don’t have a co-signer, narrow down your search to options that don’t require one.


• Seek pre-qualification

Lenders charge varying interest rates based on your financial situation, so what you see advertised on their website might not be what you get. By prequalifying with a few lenders, you will know exactly how much you can expect to pay in interest.


• Compare terms

Once you know which loans and lenders you prequalify for, compare what each lender has to offer in terms of fees, interest rates, and repayment options. The lowest interest rate might seem like an obvious choice. But it is important to look at the big picture since the overall cost of a loan could be lower despite charging a higher rate.


• Focus on the most important features

If all your preferred private student loans are on par, delve further into each lenders’ fees and unique features. For example, one might offer a longer grace period while another doesn’t charge origination fees. In this case, the small stuff could play a large role in your decision.


• Read the fine print

When you apply for a private student loan, make sure you read the terms and conditions. This can help you compare and learn what differentiates them.


• Consider finding a cosigner

A cosigner could help you get approved if you are an undergraduate or you don’t have a steady income or long credit history. If a parent or other creditworthy individual cosigns the private student loan, it will boost your chance for approval.

• How to qualify for a private student loan


Only students who are18 years of age or older and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will qualify for a private student loan. Many student loan providers require you to show proof that you are a student enrolled in college before they will approve the loan.


• How to spend a private student loan


Private student loans are often used to cover the costs of higher education once you reach your federal limit.

• They can be useful for borrowers who:
• Don’t qualify for federal aid
• Have reached their federal student loan limits
• Want the flexibility of a variable interest rate
• Have excellent credit scores

While each private lender has their own rules on how to use the funds, you can typically only use them for educational and living expenses. These include:

• College tuition


This basic cost of enrolling in classes is typically the largest education-related expense.


• Fees


Your school might charge academic fees associated with your program that cover items like parking and using campus facilities.


• Room and board


Cover living expenses and meals while you are enrolled, like on-campus housing and a cafeteria meal plan. Off-campus housing expenses include apartment rent, utilities, and groceries.


• Books and supplies


Class supplies include textbooks, pens, notebooks, and backpacks.


• Transportation


This pays for the costs of getting to and from class, like gasoline, parking passes, bus passes and highway tolls.


• Equipment


Cover the costs of equipment needed to participate in class, including a laptop, software programs or a camera.


• Dependent care expenses


You might be able to use the money for child or adult care while you attend classes.

You will be asked to sign a loan agreement that outlines the dos and don’ts of spending. You could face serious consequences if the lender discovers that you misused the funds, including termination of the loan or blocking you from future borrowing.

Don’t spend your private student loan money on:

• Entertainment


Spending your funds on the latest streaming services or a night on the town is never a good idea.


• Nonessentials

Sprucing up your wardrobe or decorating your apartment might be considered essential to you, but it isn’t an educational expense.


• Travel


You can’t rationalize using the funds for a trip to the Caribbean because you are burnt out. But funding a trip to study abroad is a different story. Ask your lender before you tap into the funds.


• Dining out


Paying for groceries or meal plans is fine. But don’t use the money for restaurants or take-out.

• Living expenses


Your student loan should never be used to pay off credit cards or loans.


• Emergency funds


Paying the high interest student loans charge for an emergency is a big “don’t do it”. That’s why you need an emergency account that covers 3-6 months’ worth of expenses.

How to Manage Your Spending in School

There is a good reason why everyone recommends a budget to keep spending under control and build up savings: it works. The more you save, the less money you will need to borrow through student loans. Expenses like housing, transportation and even your cell phone plan can add up. But there are ways to spend less.

Before you apply for a private student loan, see where there are places to cut expenses. Do you really need a car at school? Why spend money dining out when purchasing the meal plan also provides a social activity? And don’t forget those student discount perks for Apple products, Amazon, your cell phone plan and more.

The interest you pay on private student loans can add up over time. But if you cut costs and borrow less money, paying it off will be a lot easier and faster. If you overestimate how much money you need to borrow, you can request returning the remaining funds or cancel part of the loan. If the lender refuses, use the money to pay down part of your student loan balance.

• Check your credit score


Private student loans require a good credit score to qualify — at least in the mid-600s. Some lenders list these requirements on their websites.


• Send in an application


Once you have chosen a lender, it is time to fill out and send in your application. You will be asked for details like your Social Security number, financial history, and school information. At this stage, you can expect a hard credit check. This might temporarily drop your credit score by a few points.


• Wait for verification


After the lender processes your application and confirms your full cost, the lender will send the funds directly to your school—typically within a few weeks.


• Your school gets paid


Your school will have to certify your loan amount before it can be sent to them. After that, you will receive a Final Disclosure that spells out the details. You have the right to cancel your private student loan as described in the Final Disclosure before it is sent to your school.

• When should you apply?


Applying for a private student loan is not something to leave until the last minute. To be safe, apply about two months before tuition is due. Most school payment deadlines for the fall semester are in July or August of that academic year. So, apply in either May or June.


• Who receives the funds?


Most private student loan funds are sent directly to the school you will be attending. But private student loans called direct-to-consumer loans go directly to the student. There are pros and cons to each method:


• School-Channel private student loans


These private student loans are sent directly to the school. Once you are approved for the loan and it is processed, the lender will work directly with your school to get the funds where they need to go.

The lender will first inform the school that you have applied for a loan and ask them to verify the amount. The school will research any scholarships, grants, or federal student loans you might have already received. Your total financial aid cannot exceed the total cost of attendance. If this occurs, you will be asked to reduce the amount of the loan before the school will sign off on it.

On completing the loan process, the lender will then send the funds directly to your school. The school will allocate the funds to pay for tuition, dorm fees, and meal plans. They will then transfer the outstanding balance to you to use towards other approved expenses such as school supplies, gas, and other living costs.


• Direct to consumer private student loans


The school is not involved in these types of transactions. Instead, you work directly with the lender to get your loan approved. After it is processed, the funds will be transferred straight to your bank account. Be sure to follow spending restrictions or you could find yourself in hot water with the lender.

The advantage of direct-to-consumer loans is that the application process is simpler and faster. There is no third-party, like the school, involved. The downside is that the fees or interest rates are typically slightly higher.

Like school-channel loans, it is important that you don’t borrow more than you need. You need to set up and use an emergency fund for those type of scenarios. Since interest starts accruing the day the funds are distributed, you could end up paying hundreds more in interest.

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• Should I apply for a private student loan before or after applying for scholarships and grants?


You do not have to pay back scholarships and grants. So, find out how much you qualify for before applying for a private student loan. By subtracting the amount of this “free money” from the total amount you need, you will know the additional amount needed to fully cover your school expenses.


• How is the loan amount determined?


Private student loans range from $1,000 to $75,000 per year. The maximum total allowed by the time you graduate is $100,000 for undergraduates and $150,000 for graduates. The loan amount is based on how much you need minus any other financial aid you might qualify for.


• Am I responsible for making payments while in school?


No. Repayment does not begin until six months after the date of graduation or separation from the school. To save money on interest, you can begin making interest-only payments or principal and interest payments while you are still a student.


• Can a co-signer ever be released from the loan obligation?


Yes. After 48 months of on-time auto payments, the co-signer can be released.


• How quickly can I get a private student loan?


Most lenders will let you know if you are approved within a week of your private student loan submission. After that, getting the loan fully processed and distributed can take about 2-4 weeks.