student loans?

[revoracing247]

hey guys,

i've just been getting a lot of pressure from my dad to get student loans for this coming spring semester and i feel like he's doing it cause he feels like im not responsible and that getting the loans would make me in his eyes.

im currently trying to sell a lot of my stuff and i might be able to get enough money to make it for this quarter but if i can't then i want to stay home this semester and get more situated at my work and then go back in the fall when i will have the money for everything and will be better set rather then go in debt to go to school.

oh and im in washington and my school is in idaho so i'd have to leave my job and everything to go for spring semester.

i just wanted your opinions on what you guys would do/how you feel about student loans.

[tacomaguy1]

So your dad thinks putting yourself in debt is responsible?

Nothinkg wrong with taking a little time off if you plan to go right back

[stroupe79]

I worked for a company that did collections for Defaulted Student Loans....I have nothing really bad to say, just make sure that if you get them you stay up to date on your deferments and forbearances....if they default you get charged a 25% PENALTY and Interest applied daily, there are a couple of programs the government offers to make repaying more affordable, such as William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans Program, this program lets you pay over a 30year term...it's ideal for paying back multiple loans...

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/wdffdl/index.html

[rocking.that.eclipse]

I feel like the sooner you get to school the better. I think that if I took a year off I would have never went to college again.

[WillPwn4Food]

If you take time off and "Plan to go back" you really won't want to. Trust me. Been there. Best thing to do is go to school and take as many credits as you feel comfortable taking with a part-time job as well. I know a lot of colleges have on-campus jobs etc. where you can study at while it's slow. As you get money, keep putting it toward paying off your loans. At the end of the school year, you shouldn't have much left to pay. That way when you're out of college, you won't be half as far in debt.

[Bump4life]

if you choose to take loans try to make sure they are subsidized so there is no interest that builds up while you are in school. if you do choose loans i would highly suggest finishing school. the minute you fall under half time enrollment you have to start paying back loans. and the interest begins to build. its not a bad way to go, but make sure you have a plan of how you will pay it back and the timeframe youll pay it back or at least plans to finish school.

[revoracing247]

i definitely would go back to school in the fall if i decided to skip this semester. i love what im learning and it's gonna bug the crap out of me to no end that im not gonna be taking classes for the next few months if i stay home. and im definitely gonna finish going to school no matter what.

i guess i don't know much about student loans though either, do you take it all out at once for youre whole schooling? or do you get more for each semester?

[WillPwn4Food]

Getting a loan each semester for only what you need would be the best idea. Taking out too much would hurt you in the end.

[Need Bass]

The way I see it, 1. go right away because otherwise you'll forget what you learned recently and college will just be that much harder next year. 2. The loans will be worth it if you only borrow what you need and nothing more. Most people who borrow wisely graduate with $20-30k debt and make enough money on their after-college job that it only takes them a few years to pay off the debt. I'd say it's worth it if you're able to go this year, while you still have the motivation and knowledge.

[revoracing247]

The way I see it, 1. go right away because otherwise you'll forget what you learned recently and college will just be that much harder next year. 2. The loans will be worth it if you only borrow what you need and nothing more. Most people who borrow wisely graduate with $20-30k debt and make enough money on their after-college job that it only takes them a few years to pay off the debt. I'd say it's worth it if you're able to go this year, while you still have the motivation and knowledge.

i did just pass the last of my calculus classes and would hate to forget all that haha what if it's only gonna be like $500 in a loan that im gonna need?