Searching for student loans begins with the FAFSA4caster, an online tool to determine eligibility for federal school loans, grants and scholarships. Students and parents can use the FAFSA4caster at   http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/complete01.htm” www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/complete01.htm.

A good time to begin a search for financial aid for college is during your junior year of high school. There are many different ways to find loans for school. Completing and submitting the FAFSA application will lead you to financial aid offers from the colleges you listed in the application

Following review of your data, you receive notification of the federal student loans, grants and scholarships you are eligible to receive. You receive a Federal Aid PIN, used when applying for federal student loans. The Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) contains the data from the FAFSA4caster when you request federal school loans.

Federal Stafford loans (FFELP/Direct) are subsidized federal student loans, meaning the government pays the interest while you are in school at least half time. Other loans are unsubsidized, meaning you pay the interest in the present or defer payment until after graduation.

Other federal school loans include Perkins loans with amount limits and fixed interest rates. The federal Grad PLUS loans for postgraduate students and the Federal PLUS loan for parents have a time limit on loans under $30,000. Some states also offer government school loans, grants and scholarships for eligible students.

There are also federal and state work/study programs and private loans from local banks and credit unions.  Private student loans require a cosigner and good credit.