What are Direct Student Loans?

Direct Student Loans are funds made available to students and parents to help pay for college. Direct student loans are low-interest loans, and while the lender is the U.S. Department of Education, individuals may work with a private business who releases the funds or directly with the federal government. Direct student loans include subsidized, unsubsidized, and parent-only loans. These loans are simple to apply for, and unlike other forms of financial aid, are not based on financial need. These funds must be paid back after graduation; however, there are payment programs, opportunities to consolidate multiple loans, and loan forgiveness programs for qualifying individuals.

 A major benefit to direct student loans as opposed to private education loans is that these loans are funded through the federal government. Generally, the interest rate on direct student loans are considerably lower than privately made loans, can be easily accessible to individuals with little or no credit history and bad credit, and can be borrowed against with a single contract which makes things must less complicated after graduation. Direct student loans for qualifying individuals are also eligible for loan forgiveness programs, unlike many private loans.

Types of Direct Student Loans

Undergraduate students who apply through FASFA may be eligible for several types of direct student loans. Subsidized student loans, unsubsidized student loans, and PLUS loans for parents may all be good choices to help cover the costs of secondary education. Graduate students have additional resources when it comes to direct student loans.

Obviously, grants and scholarships (i.e. money that does not need to be repaid) is more desirable than direct student loans which must be repaid after graduation. After that, subsidized direct student loans are probably the next best type of money for college because the interest is subsidized by the federal government. This means that subsidized direct student loans do not accrue interest while the student is attending college at least half time. All subsidized direct student loans are through the U.S. Department of Education. There are no actual subsidized private student loans; however, a private lender may offer a subsidized loan because the funds are guaranteed by the federal government. Students are able to qualify for subsidized student loans based on financial need. 

Unsubsidized direct student loans are available directly from the U.S. Department of Eduction and through certain private lenders. Unsubsidized student loans from private lenders are still guaranteed by the federal government and are subject to similar rules and regulations as those made directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Unsubsidized direct student loans are not based on financial need, and are available to nearly all students who attend qualified post-secondary institutions. While unsubsidized student loans are widely available, the major drawback to these types of loans is that interest begins to accrue as soon as the loan is dispersed unlike subsidized student loans; however, you are not required to pay the interest while attending school.

PLUS loans for parents are considered direct student loans; however, these loans are for parents who wish to help cover the costs of their child’s education. Parents PLUS loans are non-need based, but a credit check is required to qualify for the loan. The interest rate on a Parents PLUS loan is slightly higher than an unsubsidized student loan, but is often lower than the interest rate from a private loan.

 Federal Direct Student Loans

Federal direct student loans are an excellent way for students and their families to help pay for college when need-based financial aid, scholarships, and grants are unavailable or are not enough to pay for the total cost of attending a qualifying college. There are several options available depending on your specific need and financial situation. It is important to remember that some federal direct loans may be dispersed through a private lender; however, the loan is still guaranteed by the federal government.

 Applying for Direct Student Loans

 Applying for direct student loans is a fairly easy process. Simply fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form by using information found on your (or your parents’) tax return from the previous year. Select which school you will be attending before submitting the form and you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few weeks. You will sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and select the amount you wish to borrow. Each year, you will be able to choose the amount you wish to borrow, up to the amount offered, but will only need to sign the MPN the first year.

Direct Student Loan Consolidation

After graduation, or if you drop below half-time in school, you may want to consider direct student loan consolidation. Direct student loan consolidation allows you to convert all your student loans, federally-backed and private loans, to a consolidated loan. In many cases, this will not only help lower your total monthly payment, but you may qualify for a lower interest rate which means you’ll repay less in the long run. The application process for student loan consolidation is straight-forward and the form can be downloaded from the direct loan website. To successfully complete the application, you will need to have all the paper work for your current loans easily accessible.

What is Student Loan Consolidation

Student loan consolidation combines all your student loans and often lowers your monthly payment. If you spent four or more years in college, you are likely to have a number of student loans from subsidized to unsubsidized, Stafford and Perkins loans, and perhaps some privately-funded student loans as well. After graduation, you enter the repayment period and each loan requires a monthly payment. Not only can keeping track of several (or more) monthly payments be difficult, each loan’s minimum payment may become a financial burden when they are added together each month.

Consolidating your student loans is a lot like consolidating any other debt. A new loan is taken out to pay off all existing student loans so that only one monthly payment is made each month to the new lender. There are many benefits and a few disadvantages to this option so be sure to consider your options carefully as student loan consolidation is not required.

Benefits to Consolidating Your Student Loans

There are several benefits to consolidating your student loans. Loan consolidation allows you to make one monthly payment instead of making several payments to various lenders each month. This may also lower your monthly payment and make your student loan repayments more affordable. By consolidating your student loans, you may also qualify for a lower interest rate which can save you money over time.

Before consolidating your student loans, be sure to consider the following. If you consolidate your student loans during your grace period following graduation, you forfeit any remaining time of your grace period. In many cases, student loan consolidation will allow you to extend your loan repayment period from 10 years to 30 years which will decrease your monthly payments and possibly make them more affordable to you; however, you will pay more in the long run because of the amount of interest that accrues over the longer repayment period. Finally, remember that any benefits you have with an individual loan will not be valid after the loan has been consolidated.

How to Consolidate Student Loans

You can choose to consolidate your student loans through an online application or submit the student loan consolidation application through the mail. Either way, before you begin the application process, you’ll want to get organized so that you can easily answer each question. You’ll need to gather all the paper work for your current student loan or loans such as monthly and quarterly statements, and if you plan to submit the application online, you’ll need your Federal Student Aid PIN. (If you don’t have a PIN for the website, it’s easy to request one.)

Using the information you have for your current student loans, simply fill out the federal student loan consolidation application. You will also have the option to choose your repayment plan. Some of the options, such as the Income Based Repayment plan, as the name suggests, is based on your income. Not everyone qualifies for this plan, and even if you do, it may not be the best plan for you. Weigh each repayment option carefully and select the option that best suits your financial situation.

Federal Student Loan Consolidation

Federal student loan consolidation is a simply and straightforward process. Each month you probably receive statements from the Department of Education. Use these statements as well as the quarterly or annual statements you should also receive to complete the loan consolidation application. While in most cases loan consolidation offers a lower interest rate, it is not guaranteed so be sure you are paying attention to the details. Likewise, any perks you may be eligible for with your current loan or loans will be unavailable once you consolidate your loans, including a six-month repayment grace period. Be sure to complete the application with honest and accurate information. Once the federal student loan consolidation application is complete, submit the form and wait for a response. While the process is meant to be streamlined, do not be surprised if you receive a notice requesting additional information, especially if you selected an income contingent repayment plan.

Private Student Loan Consolidation

All student loans are eligible to be consolidated, and private student loan consolidation is the same process as federal student loan consolidation. In fact, you should include both types of loans on the same application if you wish to consolidate any or all of your student loans. While it is possible to find a private lender to consolidate your federal and private student loans, it is unlikely to find one that has more favorable terms than the federally-backed student loan consolidation program.

Finding Scholarships for Minorities

Finding scholarships for minorities is just like finding any other scholarship, except these types of scholarships are given to individuals meeting specific conditions such as race or ethnicity. Scholarships for minorities are meant to help individuals pay for college. Since minority students are generally underrepresented in colleges today, there is a wide range of scholarships available to help offset the cost of a post-secondary education.

Take a few moments to talk with your high school guidance counselor or financial aid officer who should be able to recommend at least several minority scholarship programs. These individuals can also help you gather documentation you may need to apply for scholarships, such as letters of reference and school transcripts.

Online searches are also useful in finding scholarships for minorities. There’s a wide range of scholarships available and the dollar amounts vary from a few hundred dollars to paying for the entire cost of a four-year program. However, you should be weary of any scholarship program that requires you to pay money upfront for your application to be considered. Finally, a number of books have been written that can aid your search for minority scholarships. If you don’t want to commit to the purchase of a book, you can check with your local library for a temporary copy. Consider, however, that scholarship opportunities may change from year to year so you’ll want to get the most recent edition.

Types of Scholarships for Minorities

The types of scholarships for minorities are the same as general scholarships except race or ethnicity is one qualifier which limits the number of students who many apply for the scholarship. Some minority scholarships are merit based meaning the scholarship will be award based on grade point average, extra curricular activities, or community involvement. Athletic scholarships are also available to student athletes who are outstanding in their sports. Many scholarships are also awarded for specific programs of study, particularly as a way to recruit diversity within the field. There are also need-based scholarships which are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.

Scholarships for minorities is actually a subset of all scholarships similar to athletic, merit, and need-based scholarships. A scholarship may have several qualifiers, such as a minority student-athlete with an excellent GPA. These types of scholarships that are very specific greatly reduce the number of applicants who are eligible, so if you do qualify for a scholarship it’s a great idea to apply. You may be competing against hundreds versus thousands of applicants.

Scholarships for Minority Women

Since women and minorities are both considered underrepresented populations within colleges, it makes sense that there are a number of scholarships for minority women. These scholarships are meant to offset or completely cover the cost of college for minority female students. There are a number of resources available, both online and in print, to help students search for scholarships for minority women. Like any type of scholarship search, it’s always a good idea to talk with a guidance counselor or financial aid adviser to assist you in finding scholarships and submitting the applications.

Examples of Scholarships for Minority Students

Examples of scholarships for minority students, often referred to as student-specific scholarships, include any money available to minority students to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other course-related materials. Scholarships for minorities may be given solely based on race, religion, or ethnicity, or may have additional qualifiers to further reduce the field of applications. For example, a Hispanic student who helped to organize an after-school program for elementary school students may be encouraged to apply for scholarships for minorities with a community service component.

Minority scholarships for undergraduate Students

Minority scholarships for undergraduate students are plentiful and simply require a little bit of searching to find one (or more) that you could apply for. The application procedure varies from a quick form to fill out to more in-depth requirements, such as essays, video submissions, or other projects that help highlight your strengths. Generally speaking, the higher the dollar amount of the scholarship award, the more that is required prior to submitting the scholarship application.

Graduate Scholarships for Minorities

Like undergraduate scholarship opportunities, there are also a number of graduate scholarships for minorities. These opportunities can be found in the same way that undergraduate and vocational scholarships are found. The major distinction between undergraduate and graduate scholarships for minorities is that the scholarship applicant must have already completed a four-year degree. Graduate scholarships can be awarded based on merit, athleticism, field of study, or financial need.

Scholarships for Nursing Students

Nursing is one of the fastest growing industries in the country as advanced technology and an aging population has created a huge demand for nurses, and in an effort to attract more qualified nurses to the field, scholarships for nursing students are plentiful. Scholarships for nursing students may be generalized or specific in order to attract minority students or those interested in a specialized field. No matter what, you should be able to find multiple nursing scholarships that match your needs.

Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships

Graduate Nursing Scholarships

Undergraduate nursing scholarships are available from a variety of sources, and will likely continue to increase for as long as the nursing shortage is existent. These scholarships may come from a specific school, private organization, and even the federal government. Each type of scholarship has it’s own unique qualifications and application process so it’s important to read the application instructions carefully before submitting the document. While it is not a hard and fast rule, small awards typically have less paperwork to submit while the high-dollar awards often require more work. Remember that you may be applying for thousands of dollars so it’s important to take your time and do the best you can to make sure your application stands out among the hundreds of others the scholarship committee has received.

Graduate nursing scholarships are very similar to undergraduate nursing scholarships in that there’s a large number of scholarships available. As there are generally fewer graduate nursing students than undergraduate nursing students, it may be easier to get graduate nursing scholarships.

Johnson and Johnson Nursing Scholarship

The importance of nurses has caused many private companies to offer incentives to nursing students. These programs began well before the current nursing shortage; however, the increased demand for nurses has led these companies to begin additional programs to attract and retain nursing students. One such opportunity is the Johnson and Johnson Nursing Scholarship which has many different opportunities offered by Johnson and Johnson. The company has partnered with several schools across the country to offer educational prospects crucial to nurses and specialized programs from management courses to school nurse programs. Since the nursing shortage, Johnson and Johnson has also started an awareness campaign which includes many scholarships for nurses.

Tylenol Nursing Scholarship

The Tylenol Nursing Scholarship, much like awards from Johnson and Johnson, offers money to nursing students. Qualified applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program at an approved 2 year or 4 year school and have shown leadership skills within their community. The dollar amount varies depending on the particular award. If you are interested in applying for the Tylenol Nursing Scholarship, visit the organization’s website for specific details and application forms. Be sure to read the directions carefully as many award committees will discard any submissions that do not adhere to the application process even if the student is very well qualified for the award.

Air Force Nursing scholarship

The Air Force nursing scholarship is a unique scholarship because it is awarded on a non-competitive basis. This means that if you meet the requirements for the scholarship, you get the money for college. Some of the criteria for the Air Force nursing scholarship is passing the Air Force Qualifying and Physical Fitness Tests, being a U.S. Citizen by the time the award is activated, and have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Additionally, you must be a sophomore or junior enrolled in a nursing program at a qualified university.

While your high school or college adviser may help you get in touch with the right people, you must visit an Air Force detachment office to actually apply for the Air Force nursing scholarship. Not only will they give you all the appropriate paperwork, but the officer will set up important appointments such as a time for the physical fitness test.

HRSA Nursing Scholarship

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) nursing scholarship offers a full-tuition scholarship in addition to money for living expenses in exchange for working in hard-to-staff hospitals and clinics following graduation. Typically, recipients must work at least 2 years in these locations, but are free to negotiate their salary directly with the employer. Preference is given to nursing students with the highest financial need, but many awards are given out annually. For example, in 2010, over 450 HRSA nursing scholarships were awarded.

Finding College Scholarships for Women

Despite the fact that today more women than men are entering college, there is still a gender-gap when it comes to certain professions and high-level positions. In an effort to combat this disparity, there are a number of college scholarships for women. Finding college scholarships for women can be easy! You should discuss potential opportunities with your high school guidance counselor, college adviser, or your school’s financial aid office. An internet search may also yield numerous results.

There are many types of college scholarships for women. Some are generalized awards for all women to apply, while others are major- or interest-specific. Other scholarships for women may have additional criteria, such as non-traditional students, women from minority groups, women with children, and so on. There are so many college scholarships for women that the list is nearly endless.

Graduate Scholarships for Women

Graduate scholarships for women are just one category of scholarships available. In most cases, the first and foremost criteria for these scholarships is that the applicant is a woman and entering a post-secondary plan of study. Often graduate scholarships for women are tied to a specific field of study where women are underrepresented; however, because women are less likely than their male counterparts to enroll in a graduate program, there’s no shortage of graduate scholarships for women as benefactors attempt to lessen the gender-gap.

Colleges are always trying to diversify their graduate programs, and one way schools do this is by offering scholarships to minority students to attract students to the school. College scholarships for women may come from a privately funded organization which aims to empower female students, or the scholarships may come directly from the school and aim to diversify the student population. This is true for graduate and undergraduate scholarships for women.

Scholarships for minority women

Minority women are perhaps the most underrepresented population in any field of study, and as such, there are many available high-dollar scholarships for minority women. Like other types of scholarships, the money for scholarships for minority women may come from private organizations or from a specific university. Civil rights foundations, such as the NAACP, are always looking to advance individuals from minority groups and typically invest a lot of money in education. At the same time, colleges are continually looking for students who would diversify the student body and bring additional cultural opportunities to the college campus: There are usually numerous awards for students who meet this criteria.

Students who meet the criteria should apply for as many scholarships for minority women as they want; there is no limit on how many scholarships may be awarded to one student. Also remember that  scholarships do not need to be repaid so it is possible to graduate without any student loan debt. While many scholarships are specifically for tuition and fees, there are also many that can be used for any education expense or specifically for living expenses, including room and board while living on campus.

Scholarships for women over 40

Non-traditional students, including women over 40, are a rapidly growing population on many school campus, and scholarships for women over 40 are readily available to help offset the cost of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Research indicates that non-traditional students, particularly older students, preform better in college than then younger ones because their maturity and attitudes about education is considerably different. Since most colleges want to show high graduation and employment rates to their Board of Directors and potential students, scholarships for women over 40 are plentiful.

Applying for scholarships for women over 40 is the same process as any other type of scholarship: You must read the directions carefully. If the scholarship criteria asks for a 1,000 word essay and you write a 2,000 word essay, your application could be thrown away immediately. Remember that there are usually hundreds of other applicants applying for the same scholarship, and tossing applications from those who appear to have not followed the directions is an easy way to narrow the initial pool.

Scholarships for Women with Children

College can be tough for anyone, but raising a family while pursuing a college degree can be especially difficult. Thankfully, there are plenty of scholarships for women with children to help offset the financial burden for those who are interested. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box: While there’s a lot of scholarships available to help pay for tuition and expenses paid directly to the school, there are also numerous awards available to help pay for child care and other related expenses.

Scholarships for Women in Nursing

Even though there are more women than men in nursing programs, there are still numerous scholarships for women in nursing because there’s a shortage of nurses across the country. Scholarships are plentiful in areas where there are current shortages as an incentive to enter the field and reduce the shortage. As with all categories of scholarships, there may be additional qualifiers that may further limit the pool of applicants so be sure to read the application carefully.