To finance your studies abroad, you may need a student loan, but you don’t know how or where to apply for one; sit back and let us take you step by step through the procedures. This is how to apply for a student loan for your studies abroad.
Two forms of student loans are available; federal and private. Your application method depends on the kind of loan and the kind of student. You can’t apply in the same way as a part-time student if you are a full-time student.
Here is how to apply for a federal student loan if you are a full-time student
- You need to estimate how much you will need to complete your studies
- Check to be sure if your school is eligible for such funding
- Fill the free application for federal student aid ( FAFSA ) form
- You need to select the school you want to attend and your study period
- Complete an entrance counselling so as to make sure you understand that you must repay the loan with interest
- You must sign the terms of loan agreement form
- Contact your school’s financial aid office so as to know their specific procedure
- You can receive up to $510 per week if you have kids your are taking care of, if not, you may be eligible for $320 per week maximum loan amount
If you are applying as a part-time student follow these steps
- Get admission first into your school of choice
- Fill the part-time FAFSA loan form
- Take it to your school to fill your study information section
- They will now forward it back to the loan organization
- In some loans you can be required to provide proof of residency
- You must present evidence of admission
- The part-time loan does not limit you on the number of weeks you need to apply before your program ends. It can continue over extended period but your principal and interest may not exceed $10,000 at any given time.
Eligibility for federal student loan
- You must be enrolled in a school depending on the type of federal student loan
- You must meet certain income level or credit score if you have dependent children
- You do not need a cosigner
- You must present all required documents
Application deadlines
You need to apply 6 weeks before the end of your study program as long as all conditions are met.
Before you resume studies, you may also apply.
Note; Before you can apply for a student loan, you do not need an acceptance letter, but you will need one before the money can be deposited into your account.
- Suggested; Types of student loans for all students
What happens after application
- Your application will be assessed
- You will be notified how much you are eligible to get if you fulfill all requirements.
- You can track your application status online
- If you don’t receive funding, you can appeal your assessment.
How to apply for a private student loan
- You need to fulfill all requirements
- Fill the online application form with or without a cosigner
- Provide required documents
- You will need to sign the slf-certification form; your school can also be required to sign inorder to
- verify the amount you need to complete your studies.
- You and your cosigner must sign the consumer credit agreement.
- If you are eligible, your student loan will be sent to your school’s financial aid office before it can get to you.
- Allow yourself enough time to apply
- Private student loans can cover tuition, living expenses, accommodation etc.
- You can track your progress online using the company loan tracker platform.
Requirements for private student loans
- School information / admission status
- Social security number
- Permanent resident address
- Employment and income information of the borrower or cosigner if application.
- Cost of attending the school and studying and how much funding you need.
- You will need a cosigner if; You are a minority- age limitation; You have temporary residency in the country ; You can’t meet the income requirement for private student loan applicants
