There are plenty of benefits to having a student credit card, such as enabling cardholders to pay their gas and food bills, textbooks, furniture, and more. College students need credit cards in many cases, but applicants stand a higher chance if they have a cosigner.
What should you do now? You first need to find someone close who agrees to cosign for you. This person can be your parent, guardian, relative, or just someone close to you. You do not have to be related to the person who will cosign for you; so, you can ask a colleague or a friend as well. What is important here is that this person has a very good or excellent credit score, holds a credit card, and has outstanding repayment history. Ask this person to become your cosigner but be sure to make it perfectly clear that he or she will be responsible for debt repayment in case of default. Do your best to convince your friend or relative that this will not happen. Discuss your sense of financial responsibility and maturity.
If you have a cosigner already, it is time to shop for college credit cards. Check with the big banks (CIBC, Bank of Nova Scotia) and your local bank. When checking credit card offers, look at two things - whether you meet the requirements and whether the card in question meets your needs. Important considerations are annual fees, interest rate, rewards programs, etc. In the ideal case, the credit card you choose is offered with no annual fee. Even if you do not find such a card, some credit card issuers will waive the annual fee, provided that you are charging items on the card within a period of one year. Find out what fees go with your chosen credit card. Most credit card companies impose late fees and over-the-limit fees. You should avoid cards with unfair fees like an account maintenance fee.
Keeping this in mind, back to applying. The application process for Canadian student credit card is much similar to when you apply for other credit card types. The only difference is that your cosigner should dial the number on his credit card and talk to customer service. They have to explain that they have decided to cosign for you.
Bear in mind that only some credit card companies let clients apply with a cosigner. The reason is that some issuers are unwilling to service joint accounts. Other issuers will ask that you have a cosigner, even when they have mailed you an offer. But do you really need a cosigner? You will be more responsible if you have one. Thus, you are more likely to pay off your balance knowing that a friend or relative of yours would have to pay the bill instead of you.
What else to consider? With student credit cards, it is best to start out with a lower credit limit than you would like to. This way, you will learn not to overcharge. If the credit limit is set high, you may overcharge and accumulate excessive debt.
Hesitating which Mastercard for students solution to choose? Visit student and bonuses to make informed decision.
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Showing posts with label low interest student loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label low interest student loans. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Low Interest Student Loans Summary
While many students hope to get a grant or scholarship that won't be paid back, these types of college funding are not available to everyone. Even if a scholarship is granted, the amount may not be sufficient to cover all expenses such as rent, tuition, supplies, and textbooks. Low interest student loans are an alternative type of college financing.
College loans are different from other types of debt. They can be deferred or paid at a latter date. The loan payment starts after graduation, and there is a grace period of 6 - 9 months. These loans are typically offered with a lower interest rate compared to credit cards, personal loans, and other types of debt. The interest adds up to the principal after graduation. At the same time, low interest is not equal to interest-free. The interest is paid together with the principal and is compounded interest. The student may owe a much larger amount of money than expected.
A good way to find about low interest loan offers is your university's financial aid office. Those who have been admitted already have higher chances of being approved. Depending on the lender, the repayment terms can be based on the borrower's earnings rather than on the amount borrowed. Surplus earnings can be kept in a high-yield deposit account rather than used to pay off the outstanding debt.
Some financial institutions offer extended terms of payment and low initial payments. Many students find these options attractive, but it is wise to abstain from borrowing under these terms. The loan will be more expensive to service in the long run because interest accumulates. Choosing an affordable payment plan is most important because late and missed payments will affect your credit score. If penalties apply, the loan will cost you more.
The Canada Student Loan Program provides affordable loans to students. The federal government provides financing while the provinces can run their own programs, thus providing additional financing. Students may also apply for a commercial loan with their bank of choice. Scotiabank, for example, offers personal lines of credit to students who can provide proof of enrollment. The Bank of Montreal also offers lines of credit to cover tuition, housing, textbooks, and other expenses. University/ postsecondary students can borrow up to $15,000 during their first year in college and up to $45,000 in total. Students pay interest on the amount they have borrowed while in college, plus one more year after graduation. Canadian citizens and landed immigrants can apply for funding if enrolled full-time for a period of 12 or more weeks.
Our loans guide, will assist you in finding more about student loans in Canada.
College loans are different from other types of debt. They can be deferred or paid at a latter date. The loan payment starts after graduation, and there is a grace period of 6 - 9 months. These loans are typically offered with a lower interest rate compared to credit cards, personal loans, and other types of debt. The interest adds up to the principal after graduation. At the same time, low interest is not equal to interest-free. The interest is paid together with the principal and is compounded interest. The student may owe a much larger amount of money than expected.
A good way to find about low interest loan offers is your university's financial aid office. Those who have been admitted already have higher chances of being approved. Depending on the lender, the repayment terms can be based on the borrower's earnings rather than on the amount borrowed. Surplus earnings can be kept in a high-yield deposit account rather than used to pay off the outstanding debt.
Some financial institutions offer extended terms of payment and low initial payments. Many students find these options attractive, but it is wise to abstain from borrowing under these terms. The loan will be more expensive to service in the long run because interest accumulates. Choosing an affordable payment plan is most important because late and missed payments will affect your credit score. If penalties apply, the loan will cost you more.
The Canada Student Loan Program provides affordable loans to students. The federal government provides financing while the provinces can run their own programs, thus providing additional financing. Students may also apply for a commercial loan with their bank of choice. Scotiabank, for example, offers personal lines of credit to students who can provide proof of enrollment. The Bank of Montreal also offers lines of credit to cover tuition, housing, textbooks, and other expenses. University/ postsecondary students can borrow up to $15,000 during their first year in college and up to $45,000 in total. Students pay interest on the amount they have borrowed while in college, plus one more year after graduation. Canadian citizens and landed immigrants can apply for funding if enrolled full-time for a period of 12 or more weeks.
Our loans guide, will assist you in finding more about student loans in Canada.
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