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National Student Loans
Student Loan Network is the best resource for finding the right national student loan for borrowers from coast to coast. Here we provide student resource pages complete with financial aid tips, free downloads and the answers to your financial aid and student loan questions.
What national student loans are available to you?
Federal Stafford Student Loans
Stafford Student Loans are federal loans made to college and university students to supplement personal and family resources, scholarships, grants, and work-study. They may be subsidized by the U.S. Government or may be unsubsidized depending on the student's financial need.
Request Stafford Loan Information
Parent PLUS Student Loans
The Parent PLUS Student Loan is available to parents of students enrolled at least part-time. Unlike other federal student loans like the Stafford and Perkins, PLUS loans can cover a larger amount of the cost of education, have a higher interest rate and the commitment is undertaken by the parent, rather than the student. PLUS Loans are also available for graduate and professional students.
Request Parent PLUS Loan Information
Graduate PLUS Loans
The Graduate PLUS Loan, like the Parent PLUS Loan, is an unsubsidized, federally guaranteed loan that can cover up to the cost of education. This loan is taken out in the graduate student's name, on their own signature and credit rating. Federal loan deferment and forbearance options are the same as the Stafford Loan so graduate and professional students can postpone repayment while enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program.
Request Graduate PLUS Loan Information
Federal Perkins Loan
The Perkins Loan is a low-interest federal student loan for undergraduate and graduate students. In the case of Perkins Loans, the college acts as the lender, drawing funds from a small pool of money provided by the federal government. Perkins Loans are awarded based on exceptional financial need.
Alternative Student Loans
Alternative student loans are specialized college student loans designed to provide supplemental funding to cover unmet need.
Alternative student loans can be used for any education-related expenses including tuition, books, transportation and room and board. You may apply for a loan at any time. Approval is based on your and your cosigner's credit and should be considered after all federal student loans, grants and scholarships have been exhausted.
To gain a clearer picture of the strengths and weaknesses of various lenders, check out our alternative loan comparison tool.
Apply for an Alternative Student Loan
Federal Student Loan Consolidation
After graduation, many students have a series of federal student loans (and payments), through the Stafford, PLUS or Perkins programs. When you consolidate federal student loans into one single loan you realize a reduced monthly payment (up to 53% less), a longer repayment term, and a fixed interest rate. To consolidate federal student loans, visit: federal or private student loan consolidation.
Request Federal Consolidation Information
National Scholarships
There are scholarships from Maine to California that can help you cover the cost of college, and best of all, they're free and don't need to be paid back. Search for scholarships for yourself and feel free to submit links to those that you find on your own. Visit Student Scholarship Search for more information.
