How to compare student loan options

If you are in need of a loan for college, it is important that you understand how to compare your options in order to get the best deal for your family.

Students typically should borrow Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans before seeking a loan elsewhere. These loans have low fixed rates and the most flexible repayment options on the market. If your family applied for financial aid, these loans would have been included in the student's financial aid award letter.

However, federal student loan options have annual borrowing limits and unfortunately, for many families, the amounts aren't enough to cover the total amount they need to pay for college. That is where other options come in and when comparing becomes necessary.

The remaining loan types fall into three major categories: federal, state-based, and private.

Additional Federal Loan Options

The Federal PLUS Loan is for parents of undergraduate students. Graduate students in need of additional funds may also borrow a Federal PLUS Loan. The PLUS Loan has a fixed rate, which is reset every May, and an origination fee, currently over 4%. The rate on the Federal PLUS Loan is higher than the rate on the federal student loan options for undergraduates. PLUS loans have a lower credit score standard for approval than private loans which can be helpful, but again not always

State-based Education Loans

State-based loans are offered through a network of non-profit lenders. State-based loans often offer rates lower than the Federal PLUS Loan and may be in the student or parent's name, depending on the program. If the loan is in the student's name, a cosigner will likely be needed, but some programs have cosigner release options after terms of on-time payments.

Rates and fees vary from program to program. View and compare RISLA's student loan programs.

Private Student Loans

The last loan type is private education loans. These loans are offered through banks and other lending organizations. Some have fixed rates, and most also offer variable-rate loans, based on an index plus a markup. Rates are often based on your credit score.

Factors to compare on student loans

Here is a list of things you should be looking at when comparing the above loan types to ensure you get the best option for your personal circumstances.

Interest Rate

What is the interest rate on the loan? Is the rate fixed or variable? A lower rate is better, but be careful to pay attention to other factors too. For example, a low rate on a variable rate loan may not be low in a few years when you enter repayment. Assess your family's appetite for risk before taking on a variable-rate loan, and make sure you understand how the index that rates are based on can change over time. Not only affecting your rate but also your monthly payment once repayment begins.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The Annual Percentage Rate is a rate that expresses the total cost of a loan, including the interest rate, and any fees. You can use the APR to get a better side-by-side comparison of loans than looking at the interest rate alone. Federal student loans are exempt from APR disclosures.

Fees

Make sure you understand what fees are involved with the loan. Is there an upfront fee, often called an origination fee? What are the back-end fees, such as those for returned payments, late payments, and defaults? While you don't want to plan on being delinquent on your loan, it is good to know how it will affect you should unfortunate circumstances prevent you from making payments as agreed.

Deferment & Forbearance Options

These options are ways of delaying your student loan payments. First, you want to know if the loan will be deferred while the student is in school. If so, is there a maximum amount of time the loan can be deferred? Keep in mind, deferring payments while in school increases the total amount you pay over the life of your loan so if you can make payments now, do it!

Next, ask about whether the loan can be deferred again if the student re-enters school after graduation or takes a break. Lastly, find out what the forbearance procedures are and how much time you can get if you can't make payments due to your financial circumstances.

Repayment Term

How long will you have to repay your loan? A shorter term typically results in less finance charges, but a higher monthly payment. A longer repayment term will cost you more in the long run but may make your monthly payments lower and more manageable.

Monthly Payments

Ask the lender to estimate what your payments will be based on the amount you are considering borrowing. Take into account all four years of borrowing (or more) when determining if the monthly payment amount will be affordable. Also, take into account the rate type. The estimate for a variable rate loan is just that, an estimate, and as the rate changes, so will your monthly payment.

Payment Flexibility

Unlike car loans, mortgages, and credit cards, college loans usually offer a bit of repayment flexibility. Deferment and forbearance are examples of this flexibility. However, not all programs offer the vast array of options as the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, which comes as a surprise to many students after school. Life is unpredictable for new grads, so make sure you understand what options are available after graduation, such as graduated, extended, or income-based repayment plans, if any. Make sure you have a contingency plan (such as your cosigner making payments) if you are unable to afford your payments at any time so you don't damage your (and your cosigner's) credit which can take years to recover from.

Cosigners

Most non-federal loans will require a cosigner. If a cosigner is not required, the interest rate is typically higher. If you are the cosigner on a student loan, make sure you understand your obligation and read the fine print before you sign the promissory note. Cosigners are often surprised when they start getting calls from lenders looking for payments. But if the student doesn't pay, you are on the hook for the loan. Take this seriously and make sure you can afford the payments on the loan if the student cannot.

Use this list to compare your options and then make a chart of the pros and cons before deciding which is right for you. Need more information on college financing? Book an appointment with RISLA's College Planning Center .