Pay for College with Student Loans from the State of Georgia

Here’s Your “Best-Bet” Finaid Strategy

How can you keep up with the changes that have taken place in the world of student loans? You can find one of the best resources for information and financial aid programs right in your own backyard. GAcollege411, an adjunct of the Georgia Student Finance Commission, should be one of your first pit-stops on the way to college student loans and other types of aid.

How to Find Federal Loans for Georgia Students

The first type of student loan you should apply for are the federal loans. The Stafford Loans and the PLUS Loans all fall under the heading of Federal Family Education Loan program (FFELP). These loans do a much better job of providing you with low-cost loans that feature low fees and manageable repayment terms.

  • Stafford Loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students as residents of Georgia and/or U.S. citizens. You’ll find two versions of the Stafford: subsidized are for students with significant financial need and the unsubsidized are not. In many cases students have both.
  • Parents with undergraduate students in college have the benefit of the Parent PLUS Loan. This is a much less costly and risky option than taking out a second mortgage or a line of credit. The Parent PLUS Loans require borrowers to have good credit or to borrow with a co-borrower. Good news is you can finance any outstanding balance on your child’s education costs. Repayment begins as soon as the loan is paid out, or disbursed to the college or university.
  • Georgia graduate students may be racking up a big debt particularly in fields that demand many years of graduate and post graduate education. In an effort to make education more affordable for grads, the FFEL program also includes the PLUS Loan for Graduates and Professionals. This is well-suited to students that have hit the maximum allowed loan limit on their Staffords, but still need to borrow money for college.

If you’re a Georgia resident seeking college education as an undergraduate, graduate, part-time student, or adult learner visit the GAcollege411 site for loan applications, calculators, planning resources and much more.