Como el costo de la universidad aumenta año tras año, los estudiantes y sus padres están buscando otras formas de pagar la matrícula y otros gastos relacionados con la educación universitaria.
Some of the best sources of college funding are scholarships and grants, which usually do not have to be repaid. Students can begin applying for scholarships while they are still in high school and can continue to do so throughout their college careers.
There are millions of dollars worth of scholarship aid available every year, and many scholarships can be attained by students even if they do not have the highest grades and test scores. El uso de un servicio de búsqueda de becas por Internet es una buena forma de encontrar y enviar solicitudes.
FAFSA, Grants, and Federal Loans
FAFSA y subsidios
Grants are given to students who demonstrate a financial need, based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Criteria for federal and state aid change from year to year, so students should aim to fill out the FAFSA form every year, even if they think they may not qualify. Puede completarse por Internet y la presentación es gratuita.
Préstamos federales para estudiantes
Even if they do not qualify for scholarships or grant aid, many college students are eligible to take out student loans through various federal programs. It's important to try and maximize the use of these loans before considering other lending sources, as many federal loan programs are subsidized, meaning the government pays the interest on the loan as long as the student is enrolled at an accredited school. En general, el reembolso de estos préstamos se inicia seis meses después de que el estudiante deja de asistir a clase con, al menos, un régimen de tiempo parcial.
Even federal loans that are not subsidized can be a better alternative to private loans. With unsubsidized loans, payment is also deferred until after graduation or until the student drops below part-time enrollment at a recognized institution. Repayment plans for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans are usually easier to meet, and these loans can generally be consolidated upon entering repayment.
Drawbacks of Private Loans and Home Equity Loans
If free money and federal loans cannot fully meet a student's financial needs, there are also private student loans available, but these loans have a few drawbacks.
Here are some important things to know about private student loans:
- Los préstamos privados generalmente se obtienen a través de un banco o compañía prestamista y requieren de un cosignatario. This means that parents—or whoever co-signs—will be liable for the loans if the loan defaults at any point.
- Generalmente, los intereses de los préstamos privados son más altos que los de los de préstamos federales y, a veces, el reembolso debe iniciarse de inmediato, incluso si el prestatario todavía asiste a la facultad.
Otra alternativa que se debe considerar para la financiación universitaria son los préstamos sobre el valor neto de la vivienda. Con esta opción, los padres piden un préstamo sobre el valor neto que tiene la vivienda para pagar los gastos universitarios de su hijo. However, these loans do come with certain drawbacks.
Here are some of them:
- Las tasas de interés son generalmente más bajas que las de los préstamos privados para estudiantes, pero existen riesgos al pedir un préstamo de este tipo.
- El reembolso comenzará de inmediato y, si no tiene la capacidad para pagar el préstamo, corre el riesgo de perder la vivienda.
- If major repairs are needed on the home, you may not have the equity for additional borrowing.
While a college education is expensive, there are various means to pay for it. Be sure to consider all the free money first, and then take a look at your options if additional funding is needed. Simplemente, asegúrese de que podrá disponer el reembolso.
Originally posted on iGrad.com. Used with permission.
