National Application Center :: pay for college
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Types of Aid
Understanding Loans
You shouldn't shy away from the idea of taking out loans to help pay for college.
Most families find that loans are a necessary or helpful way to help meet college costs. When a family's demonstrated need is above what they can get in grants or work-study programs, students--and sometimes parents--take out loans.
There are many loan options. Some are subsidized by the federal government, others are offered by lenders. The good news is that most offer low interest rates, reasonable terms, and deferral of payments until after graduation. And, in some instances, some loans are forgiven (e.g., paid for by employers or agencies for which the student works after graduation).