Go online to the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. The FAFSA form will allow you to apply for both the Federal Stafford Loan as well as the Federal Perkins Loan (see Resources below).
Read the information about the Federal Stafford Loan. Stafford loans may be granted regardless of financial need and job history. After reading about the Stafford Loan, read the information regarding the Federal Perkins Loan program. Perkins loans are need-based so only those who have shown financial need will qualify.
Click on “Filling Out a FAFSA” that is located in the left-hand menu bar. This will allow you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which is required to be found eligible for either a Federal Stafford or Perkins Loans.
Follow all of the on-screen steps to complete the FAFSA. If you are not sure which college you will be attending for the upcoming school year, enter any of the schools that you are considering when prompted for school information. This way you will be sure that the school you ultimately choose will have your FAFSA on file when the loan award process is completed. If the Federal loan options are not sufficient to cover your college costs, read on to learn how to secure a private student loan.
Visit The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid (FinAid) website’s Private Student Loans information page. Read the information located on this page thoroughly (see Resources below). Private student loans will differ from the Federal student loan program so you will need to make sure that you understand the process.
Ask your parents or another trusted adult if they would be interested in co-signing on a private student loan for you. Fill out an application for a private student loan once you have secured a co-signer. You can compare rates on the FinAid website (see Resources below).