Now Is The Time – Apply for Student Loans

July 5th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel

The new school year is almost here and while you may know where you are planning to study abroad – and perhaps even know what classes you’ll be taking – you may soon realize that you still have to get your finances in order. After all, the amount of financial aid available to international students can be quite limited. If you have finalized your budget for school and found that you still need help covering your expenses, you can apply for student loans for your overseas adventure.

Now’s the Time

July and August are the peak months when most international students apply for their loans. While loans can be applied to year round, this allows sufficient time to process all the necessary paperwork, get approved, transfer the money from your lender to your school, and for you to receive the funds from your university or college.

Understanding the Loan Process

To apply for international student loans, you can simply compare lenders and find the one that works best to suit your needs. Most non-US citizens will need to have a US cosigner who has been in the US for the past two years with good credit. The cosigner can only be a US citizen or US permanent resident. US citizens applying for loans are not required to have a cosigner, however this can reduce the interest rate and improve the likelihood of approval. Once you have your cosigner:

  1. You and your cosigner can complete the online application
  2. Depending on your lender you can get instant approval immediately (some lenders take about 48 hours)
  3. Give yourself 6-8 weeks to process your loan information
  4. Your lender will then disburse the funds directly to your university
  5. Your university will then apply the funds to your costs and refund you the excess amount

Apply for International Student Loans

To get started, you can use our comparison tool to see what options are available at your school. You will be able to apply for the total cost of your education minus any financial aid you receive. Remember, your school will need to certify the amount of money you take out, and because of this the lender must work with the school you’ll be attending. Our loan comparison tool takes all of this into consideration and only shows those lenders that work with your school so that it makes it easy for you to apply for student loans.

>> Find and apply for student loans now

7 Comments

  1. rahman ullah says:

    want student loan For study and study abroad

  2. lilian says:

    I need student loan and to study abroad

  3. Fadumo A. Paul says:

    Dear sir/ma,

    I have always dream about going abroad to study even as I grow up in my village in Ekiti state, the dream did not die even now.
    I want others to learn from me but I need to be trained first, I know this terrain well So know I need to be Well trained to gain and earn confidence as a youth leader.
    sir, most charities that come to Africa falls into wrong hands but when you train a youth (leader) generations will be better, Train me how to fish, so as to be able to train and feed others.

    Sir, I have recently begin to study about Australia and USA via the internet on my phone. I discovered a program of interest (degree in youth work), I think that is what I need, learning or studying is most important for me for now.
    I am currently a civil servant, my salary is not even enough to pay my rent and feed me, my wife and my little sister who is living with us.
    I obviously need help in financing myself on this journey to study, success and fulfilling purpose.
    I will not even mind a study loan.
    I will stop here sir till I hear from you.
    Thanks for understanding and your time.
    Yours Sincerely,
    Fadumo Abiodun Paul.

  4. Fadumo A. Paul says:

    Hi,
    I am not looking for online program but a full time undergraduate degree abroad. I wish I could get a loan or scholarship.
    Thanks!

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