What high school student do you know who truly understands the ramifications of their credit score? With all the graduating activities and festivities that are going on the condition of their credit score is the last thing on their minds. The subject of bad credit never really slaps you in your face until you are denied a student loan because of it. This is more than likely the first time in a high school students life that reality begins to set in.
Instead of getting discouraged your first line of defense should be seeking a cosigner. Approach your parents, grandparents, friends, and even loved ones. Normally when you ask someone to cosign you are immediately met with rejection. Be honest and upfront let them know that you need help, and you would like them to cosign to aide in continuing your education. Chances are theyll be more willing to cosign for a college career than a car loan. Whoever it is that you do approach make sure that you have your career plans in hand. Do not approach an individual without an action plan.
Locating a co-signer with a good credit history will be advantageous to you because the lending institution will use the credit history of your co-signer instead of yours to base their decision. This will in turn allow you to receive a student loan at an extremely low interest rate. If a young person has low or bad credit a co-signer may be their best option.
Lets say that all of your efforts to find a cosigner are futile. You gave it your best shot and know one is willing to give you a break. Wait Do not hit the panic button just yet; you still have some other options for obtaining a student loan and or a scholarship. The next thing that I would do is contact all local banks and lending institutions in my area. Sometimes these institutions have special programs such as scholarships or special loans designed for new college students. Keep in mind that if you do find a loan chances are the interest rates are going be through the roof.
Once you finally find a loan that works for your situation dont start to think about it to deeply. Thinking about those high interest rates is not where your focus needs to be at this point in your life. Look at it this way - most college courses take 4-5 years for a student to complete. This is more than enough time for you to reestablish your credit at which time you can refinance your high interest rate loan for one with a much lower rate.
A third option that you should know about is called a combination loan. If you have bad credit due to poor money management i.e. a lot of debt this option may be for you. A combination loan will allow you to consolidate your existing debt and then apply for one big loan to pay all of it off. By consolidation your loans chances are you will end up paying a lower monthly interest rate.
I almost forgot about the Stafford Loan and the Perkins Loan. These loans are geared towards those that are having financial hardships
Please realize that at first all of this may seem a bit overwhelming. The truth of the matter is its nothing more than a mere numbers game. If you go on the Internet and apply for every student loan and scholarship program that you could find you would be astounded at the numbers. The fact of the matter is if you just continue applying for several scholarships and loans, I can pretty much guaranteed that at the end of the day you will be approved for a few of them at least. Whatever you do keep the faith and dont give up, who knows you may just get a free ride regardless of your financial situation.
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