| Once the acceptance letter from a post-secondary | | | | loan. The beauty of the pre-approved student loan is |
| school arrives, the real work of determining how to | | | | that you may never have to use it. Yet, if you do, it is |
| meet the financial obligations to the school and the | | | | instantly available. |
| financial needs of the student begins. Many students | | | | Pre-approved loans allow the borrower to tailor the |
| look to student aid for that help. Before looking at | | | | amount borrowed to their immediate need. In addition |
| private lending institutions, each student should | | | | pre-approved student loans usually allow you to fix an |
| complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal | | | | interest rate, which can be handy in today's volatile |
| Student Aid). | | | | credit market. |
| Despite generous federal grants and loans combined | | | | Sources for pre-approved student loans are as close |
| with scholarships and work-study, many students still | | | | as your bank or credit union. Most banks that offer |
| need additional help to meet their college expenses. | | | | private student loans also offer pre-approval. In |
| Federal and institutional student aid programs often | | | | addition, a number of reputable lenders offering |
| provide for tuition, books, and fees but only provide a | | | | pre-approval can be found on the Internet. |
| percentage of room and board and other living | | | | In this year's worldwide credit crunch, it makes sense |
| expenses. | | | | to get a pre-approval now, for a need that may occur |
| Even students that are well served by their financial | | | | later. The number of private institutions that are |
| aid package can incur unexpected emergencies, such | | | | offering student loans of any kind is diminishing due to |
| as unexpected travel expenses, field trip opportunities, | | | | new federal laws tightening the restrictions o student |
| or day-to day expenses. | | | | loans. |
| Both groups can benefit by a pre-approved student | | | | |