You’re going to find that college isn’t cheap and since you’re going to need money to attend, it’s really hard for many out there to pay in full when they simply don’t have the cash.

To make it easier, I have created a simple guide showcasing all of the ways that you can use in order to get a loan.  Granted, some of these loans are designated for certain income levels / people only.

Private Loans

These are the loans that are going to be issued by private banks such as Citi, Discover, and more.  Make sure that you research these, as you’re going to find that each bank is going to offer different terms and rates.  A great resource to use for this research is SimpleTuition.

Federal Stafford Loans

These are awarded to those that are in financial need.   You’re going to have to meet certain requirements in order to be approved for one.  These are regulated by the United States government and can be obtained through a bank, or directly through the government.

Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan

This is a Stafford Loan that generally has a longer term with a lower interest rate compared to most loans on the market.  The reason it is called, “Subsidized” is based on the fact that the government will pay the interest on the loan while the student is attending school.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

This loan is fairly comparable with the Subsidized one.  The only difference that you’re going to want to note is that the government won’t assist you with the interest rate payment.

Federal Perkins Loans

These loans are for those that are in the most desperate needs.  These type of loans are fairly limited, so it’s going to take a lot to get approved for one.  Your interest on the loan won’t start up until 9 months after graduation, or if you become part time, rather than full.  The best way to figure out if you’re going to be approved for a loan such as this one is to directly speak with a financial advisor.

Parent PLUS Loan

If you’re a parent and you’re looking to pay for your child’s education, you may want to think about a loan such as this one.  These loans are available to help parents make college more affordable by spreading out all of the education costs that they accrue over 10 years.

GradPLUS Loans

These loans are designed for college students attending a graduate or professional program.    These are fairly comparable to a Stafford based loan, but designed for those in graduate programs.