Best Student Loans for Bad Credit

Lyn Ridley

When it comes to a personal student loan with bad credit or no credit rating at all, a Federal student loan is your best option and the right place to start.

Federal loans don’t look at your credit score, unlike commercial loans. With better rates and a more forgiving nature, Federal Loans are often the best choice for students.

The main drawback is that Federal Loans have limits. The ceiling for a loan is $5,500 for the first year of university and $12,500 for the last year of a bachelor’s degree. This may not be enough to cover both living expenses and school tuition.

Another problem is that Federal Loans are need-based, so you have to qualify before you can receive any money. Overall though, it’s an excellent choice to help finance your studies.

What You Should Know Before Taking a Student Loan With Bad Credit

Let’s take a look at the steps you need to keep in mind before applying for a student loan with bad credit.

Step 1 - Check Out Deferral Student Loans

Loan Deferral is an option for the periods during and after university. It allows you some time to finish your schooling and get a job while not having to make payments. A federal loan, depending on the type and how much was borrowed, will not add any interest to the loan amount. It is useful and relieving to know that you can finish university without worrying about debt.

Step 2 - Find a Co-signer With Good Credit

One of the most critical steps in getting a commercial loan is having a guarantor or someone who will co-sign. They will be equally as responsible for paying the loan as you are, should you default. Most federal loans don’t require a co-signer, which is a huge advantage to a university student with no willing or able family members or friends. Co-signers from outside your household are challenging to find.

Step 3 - Compare Loan Features

There are many different types of loans, and each product has different conditions that go along with it. A Federal Direct Subsidized loan does not accrue interest while the student is in university. An Unsubsidized loan, on the other hand, does incur interest from the time that you sign the agreement. Subsidized loans are reserved for people with an annual family income of less than $50,000 and designed to help those in the most need for financial support. Cash advances can be taken out by both graduates and parents and can be used to pay for anything. One of the benefits is that they have no limit, unlike other federal loans. The interest rate is significantly higher, and it is reserved for graduate-level students and parents.

Step 4 - Get a Fixed Interest Rate

One attractive aspect of government loans is that the interest rates are always fixed. Congress chooses the interest rates each year, meaning you never have to worry about your payments increasing. The terms never change throughout your plan.

Step 5 - Understand Bottom Line Payments

The bottom-line payments depend on your plan. Your loan can be divided into periods, like ten to twenty-five years over which your payment remains fixed. Another option you can use to vary your debt is to pay according to your salary, with a certain percentage being taken out of it each time. In other plans, your monthly pay-out slowly grows regardless of your salary. Your payment plan will depend on your career choice. It may be wise to take a slow increase in payments for a stable career. Your financial situation in the post-university years is essential to consider when looking for a good repayment plan.

Step 6 - Know that Refinancing Is a Possibility

Refinancing your debt is always an option in the future. This is combining all your small loans into one single amount with a fixed rate and one loan service provider. The advantages are not only that you are dealing with a single payment to a company, but you also have a better chance of getting a competitive interest rate. Your credit will improve over time, making companies more likely to give a better interest rate. Once you are established in your career, it may be a perfect time to look at the terms of your credit and change them if possible.

Private Student Loans

Federal loan interest payments costs are high, and they aren’t usually enough to cover all of your university expenses. Private, commercial student loans work like standard loans most of the time. Without a credit history, a student will find it difficult to get a private loan. There are ways around these impediments, however. One is to find someone to co-sign with you, as mentioned previously. Fortunately, some companies will lend to students even without a credit score FundingU, Ascent, and other banks will provide this service. They have different conditions and processes for granting loans. Consider these options, in case the federal loans don’t cover all your needs. Private loans are seldom subsidized, meaning that even if you can defer the debt, the interest owed will start growing as soon as you take the loan out. This could mean a heavy burden on you as soon as you finish college.

FAQ’s

Q: How Can I Apply for Federal Loans?

Fill out your FAFSA, which you can find here. Once that is done, send it in to see what aid you can receive.

Q: Do I Have to Repay My Student Loan?

Yes, you do. Late payments affect your credit score, and long term failure will result in legal actions being taken by the government against your salary and tax refunds. Private companies may also pursue legal action.

Q: If I Can’t Afford to Make My Payments, Can I Lower the Amount?

If the account is federal, most likely, yes. By staying up to date with paperwork, it can be adjusted each year based on your income. Private loans work on a case by case basis to offer various plans.