A loan is a lump sum of money that a student receives from the federal government or a private company, which they can use to pay for tuition and other expenses.
When students borrow, they usually sign a promissory note, agreeing to repay the loan plus interest over time. That’s a lot of commitment to your future self, so it’s important to find a good loan that works for you and your situation.
Cost of Attendance
Cost of attendance is a number that colleges use to determine your eligibility for financial aid. It includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees and other expenses.
It also includes any costs related to studying abroad or other special programs. Colleges may also include costs for childcare or other dependent care, depending on your needs and the state laws that govern this issue.
The COA can be helpful for students who need to budget their money for a specific degree program, because it gives them an estimate of how much they will need to pay. It can also help you understand how to compare the costs of different academic programs, so that you can find one that works within your budget.
Schools typically share their COA figures on their website, but some may require you to fill out a form directly with them to get your estimate. This is because a school’s COA is usually based on the average cost for all full-time students attending that school during that year.
This is why it is important to understand what a COA means for you before you apply for a student loan. It can help you decide whether a particular academic program is right for you and your family, and it can also make it easier to determine if your loans will cover the cost of tuition.
While the COA may not be accurate, it is an important starting point for calculating your overall budget and determining how much you will need to borrow to cover the cost of your education. This is because federal law limits the amount of a student loan you can borrow to cover your cost of attendance, and private student loans often have similar restrictions.
While it’s important to know what a COA means for your financial situation, it isn’t always easy to find. However, it’s always a good idea to start a conversation with your college about how to calculate it so that you can understand what you can expect to spend on your education.
Subsidized
The subsidized loan is a federal loan that helps students cover the cost of their education. It’s typically offered to undergraduate students and can help lower their overall student debt load.
Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need, as determined by the information you provide on your FAFSA. They’re usually offered along with other types of federal student aid.
A subsidized loan typically doesn’t accrue interest while you’re in school at least half-time, during deferment periods and for six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. After that time, you must start making regular loan payments or interest will continue to accrue.
You can also take advantage of a subsidized deferment or forbearance, which allows you to postpone payment for up to three years without paying interest during that period. Unsubsidized loans also allow for deferment, but interest will still accrue during that time.
To get a subsidized loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receive an award letter from your school. This letter outlines your financial aid offer, including the amount of your subsidized loan.
Your school will determine how much you can borrow each year and in total, based on the amount of your financial need, your federal loan limits and your years in school. Your school also sets your loan repayment terms, which include graduated-, extended- or income-based repayment options.
The maximum loan amount you can borrow is generally the same as your Cost of Attendance plus your expected family contribution. This can vary by school, so it’s important to check with your school’s financial aid office.
When you’re ready to borrow, you’ll submit a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete entrance counseling with the school’s financial aid office. Once this process is completed, your student loan funds are disbursed to cover your tuition, room and board and other fees.
