Loans
Loans, unlike grants or work-study, are borrowed money that must be repaid, with interest. Student loans are a serious obligation. It is important to keep track of the amount of money you borrow and remember that your repayment amount will depend on the size of your debt and the length of your repayment period. For more information, visit www.studentaid.gov/.
Know More, Borrow Less
The University System of Georgia recently launched a financial literacy initiative known as “Know More. Borrow Less.” This system wide initiative is a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing barriers to financial aid, improving students’ understanding of borrowing and reducing student debt. A goal of “Know More. Borrow Less.” is to provide students timely information about their student loans. To support this initiative, The Financial Aid Office of Middle Georgia State University will provide loan borrowers with personalized debt notifications that include the amount the student currently owes and the expected monthly payment and interest costs.
In addition, please view these helpful videos for more information and resources regarding borrowing responsibly:
Federal Direct Student Loans - Subsidized
Subsidized loans are based on financial need. The principle is deferred until six months after your last day of attendance at a half-time level. The federal government pays the interest on the loan while you are in school at least half-time, during your six months grace period, and during authorized periods of deferment.
Federal Direct Student Loans - Unsubsidized
This loan is a non-need based loan. While the principle is deferred until six months after your last day of attendance at a half-time level, you are responsible for the interest that accrues from date of first disbursement forward. Interest can either be paid while you are in school, or it can be postponed until you enter repayment. If you postpone paying interest, once you enter repayment it will be capitalized (added to principal) thereby increasing the outstanding balance on which interest accrues daily.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans
Parents can take out PLUS loans for their dependent undergraduate children. These loans are based on a credit check. The amount that can be received is based on the budget of the school minus any other financial aid the student is receiving.
Student Access Loan
The Student Access Loan (SAL) Program is a need-based, low interest loan Program administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA). The SAL Program may be funded by state general funds, proceeds from the Georgia Lottery for Education and public and/or private donations. The purpose of the program is to assist with the affordability of a college education, encourage timely persistence to the achievement of postsecondary credentials and incentivize loan recipients to work in public service. The loans or portions of the loans are forgivable for recipients who work in certain occupations.
Click here for more information about the Student Access Loan.
Alternative Loans
There are many ways to pay for higher education, and choosing the right approach requires a good understanding of your options, your responsibilities, and the various details of each lender's loan products.
Click here for more information.
Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF)
The JELF is available to assist Jewish students in the 5-state SE region of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to attain their dreams of higher education by granting them need-based, interest-free loans. These interest-free loans provide the final dollars that bridge the gap between a student's total financial resources and the cost of attending school. Additional information is available at www.jelf.org.
