BACKGROUND
When most people think about loans to pay for a college education, they think about federal student loans. There are other types of loans available like the Parent PLUS Loans. Unlike student loans, PLUS Loans are based on credit, and are applied for and received by the student’s parents. Parents that receive PLUS Loans can use the loan to cover their child’s tuition, housing expenses, books and other needed items.
PLUS Loans are also due to start being repaid immediately after they have been distributed, whereas student loans don’t have to be repaid until the student has been out of school for six months. PLUS Loans offer flexible payment options and do offer the availability to defer payments if you encounter a hardship.
Another advantage to PLUS Loans is a quarter-percent discount on interest when you enroll in automatic debit for your payments. PLUS Loans offer a fixed interest rate and the interest can be tax deductible.
PLUS Loans have recently been made available for those who are in graduate and professional schools as well as undergraduate programs.
PRO
– Loans parents take out to finance student’s education
– Available for undergraduate degrees as well as graduate and professional programs
– Use money for all college-related expenses
– Various repayment plan options available
– Can be combined with other forms of financial aid
CON
– Loans must be repaid by parents since they are the borrower
– Interest rates will vary based on parent’s credit history
– Repayment begins immediately after loan is dispersed
– Parents responsible for payments even if student doesn’t graduate
EXPENSE
Both the interest rate and the loan amount will vary depending on the student’s need and parent’s credit scores. All loans received will need to be paid back in full with interest.
CONCLUSION
No matter the school you choose or your area of study, most would agree that college is expensive. PLUS Loans are a way for parents to help their children obtain their education. These loans are a bit different because they do require parents to use their credit history to qualify. Even if their child doesn’t finish school, parents are responsible for the repayment of the loan. The PLUS Loan can be an additional alternative to making sure your child can get the education they desire.
Common Misspellings
pls loans, plas loans, plussed loans, pluss loans, + loans, plus parent’s loans, parent student loans