The federal student loan volume has been consistently high since its inception. People have become very aware of the FAFSA and its purpose in helping determine the amount of student aid that a student can receive through government funded programs. This, of course does not pertain to student credit cards.
For the first time, however, private student loans are being given out more and more, almost to the point of surpassing the amount of federal student loans given. While that has not yet happened, those who watch those trends in financing and education predict that it will happen within another ten years.
Therefore, you need to take steps to learn as much as possible about the differences in the various private student loans that are available. It is still a good idea however, to get all the federal aid possible each year before turning to private loans. Grant, scholarships, and other forms of student aid such as work-study programs should be the first line of defense against the rising costs of a college education.
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