- For active duty, must have no prior military experience
- In the Air Force and Navy active duty, must enlist for a minimum of four years. For the Army active duty, must enlist for a minimum of three years.
- For the Army and Navy Reserves, and Army and Air National Guard, must enlist for a minimum of six years
- For the Army, must have a high school diploma, and must have an overall score of 50 or higher on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
- For the Army active duty, Army Reserves, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard, must enlist in a specific shortage MOS/AFSC (job) that qualifies for the program (Note: MOS's/AFSC's that qualify can change overnight, depending on the current needs of the service. See your local Recruiter for the latest information about jobs that qualify).
- For the Army Reserves/Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, the maximum amount repayable (up to $20,000) varies according to the MOS/AFSC (job) and unit assigned to.
- Active Duty must give up Montgomery GI Bill Eligibility (but, see info on the next page about this)
- For the Army and Navy Reserves, those with prior military service are eligible.
- The CLRP must be annotated on the enlistment contract.
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Saturday, September 5, 2009
Eligibility for College Loan Repayment Program
The College Loan Repayment Program
The College Loan Repayment Program is an enlistment incentive. Like other enlistment incentives authorized by Congress, each of the services are free to offer the program, or not, as they see fit, in order to meet their established recruiting goals. Under the program, the military will repay a portion of eligible college loans for non-prior service military members. This program is for non-prior service enlisted personnel, only. Officers are not eligible.
Note: For a couple of years, the Army offered CLRP benefits to non-prior service OCS officer candidates as a "test" program. The Army has since decided not to continue the program. Between 2008, and 2011, the Marine Corps is conducting their own "test" program and offers college loan repayment of up to $30,000 for some officer candidates in exchange for extending their service commitment by six months.
Congress has limited the maximum amount of payment by federal law to $65,000. However, within these limits, each of the services have applied their own maximums. At present, the Army and Navy will repay the maximum allowed by law for non-prior service active duty enlistments. The Army will pay up to $20,000 for Reserve enlistments (including the Army National Guard). The Air Force will repay up to $10,000 for non-prior service, active duty enlistments. Additionally, the Navy Reserves will repay up to $10,000 for Navy Reserve enlistments. The Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force Reserves do not offer the College Loan Repayment Program. However, the Air National Guard offers CLRP of up to $20,000, for designated shortage AFSCs (jobs).
Note: For a couple of years, the Army offered CLRP benefits to non-prior service OCS officer candidates as a "test" program. The Army has since decided not to continue the program. Between 2008, and 2011, the Marine Corps is conducting their own "test" program and offers college loan repayment of up to $30,000 for some officer candidates in exchange for extending their service commitment by six months.
Congress has limited the maximum amount of payment by federal law to $65,000. However, within these limits, each of the services have applied their own maximums. At present, the Army and Navy will repay the maximum allowed by law for non-prior service active duty enlistments. The Army will pay up to $20,000 for Reserve enlistments (including the Army National Guard). The Air Force will repay up to $10,000 for non-prior service, active duty enlistments. Additionally, the Navy Reserves will repay up to $10,000 for Navy Reserve enlistments. The Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force Reserves do not offer the College Loan Repayment Program. However, the Air National Guard offers CLRP of up to $20,000, for designated shortage AFSCs (jobs).
Thursday, August 20, 2009
COLLEGE LOANS CONSOLIDATION
A student should always, once through college, initiate steps to consolidate their student loans. This article details the benefits available to graduates, parents or students who take those steps.
The Consolidation of Student Loans Brings Reduced Payments
When a student gets all his or her loans under the same Social Security number, then the government will agree to consolidate those student loans. The student's individual loans are paid off, giving the student one large loan.
Moreover, when the government takes steps to consolidate student loans, it also takes two other important steps: It extends the loan and it lowers the loan rate.
There is not set way by which a loan provider can bring down the rate on a consolidated loan. A reputable loan provider carefully examines all the possible ways that a student's rate might be made lower.
The loan provider then establishes that low rate as the rate for a consolidated and extended loan.
The government's willingness to both extend the loan and to lower the rate can save students considerable money. Although the payment schedule has been extended, the person with the consolidated loan can feel free to pay the loan off ahead of schedule.
In other words, there is no prepayment penalty levied on those who make an early pay-off after choosing to consolidate student loans.
Two More Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
It was mentioned above that the rate on a consolidated loan is lower than the rate on each of the original loans. Besides being lower, that rate is also fixed. The rate on a Stafford or Perkins Loan is variable.
The rate on a consolidated loan does not change during the course of the loan.
A student with a consolidated loan does not need to spend time keeping track of the payment schedule for two, three or more loans. That student loan recipient can just make a single monthly payment.
Often the student elects to make that single payment through an automatic debit. That can decrease the loan rate by another 0.25%.
Still Other Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
Gradate students who consolidate student loans can learn then about fellowships and graduate school loans. Parents who consolidate their loans can search for free money or private loans. Those benefits come on top of the loan's lower interest rate.
When you consolidate student loans, you provide yourself with a chance to improve your credit score. No graduate wants to face credit problems that have been caused by his or her need to take out loans in order to cover college expenses.
In light of all the above benefits, students should ask this question:
Who Can Qualify for the Program to Consolidate Student Loans?
Before allowing a student to consolidate student loans, the government looks to see if the student or graduate owes $10,500 or more.
The government also checks to see if the loan recipient has any loans in default.
The Consolidation of Student Loans Brings Reduced Payments
When a student gets all his or her loans under the same Social Security number, then the government will agree to consolidate those student loans. The student's individual loans are paid off, giving the student one large loan.
Moreover, when the government takes steps to consolidate student loans, it also takes two other important steps: It extends the loan and it lowers the loan rate.
There is not set way by which a loan provider can bring down the rate on a consolidated loan. A reputable loan provider carefully examines all the possible ways that a student's rate might be made lower.
The loan provider then establishes that low rate as the rate for a consolidated and extended loan.
The government's willingness to both extend the loan and to lower the rate can save students considerable money. Although the payment schedule has been extended, the person with the consolidated loan can feel free to pay the loan off ahead of schedule.
In other words, there is no prepayment penalty levied on those who make an early pay-off after choosing to consolidate student loans.
Two More Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
It was mentioned above that the rate on a consolidated loan is lower than the rate on each of the original loans. Besides being lower, that rate is also fixed. The rate on a Stafford or Perkins Loan is variable.
The rate on a consolidated loan does not change during the course of the loan.
A student with a consolidated loan does not need to spend time keeping track of the payment schedule for two, three or more loans. That student loan recipient can just make a single monthly payment.
Often the student elects to make that single payment through an automatic debit. That can decrease the loan rate by another 0.25%.
Still Other Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
Gradate students who consolidate student loans can learn then about fellowships and graduate school loans. Parents who consolidate their loans can search for free money or private loans. Those benefits come on top of the loan's lower interest rate.
When you consolidate student loans, you provide yourself with a chance to improve your credit score. No graduate wants to face credit problems that have been caused by his or her need to take out loans in order to cover college expenses.
In light of all the above benefits, students should ask this question:
Who Can Qualify for the Program to Consolidate Student Loans?
Before allowing a student to consolidate student loans, the government looks to see if the student or graduate owes $10,500 or more.
The government also checks to see if the loan recipient has any loans in default.
COLLEGE LOANS CONSOLIDATION
A student should always, once through college, initiate steps to consolidate their student loans. This article details the benefits available to graduates, parents or students who take those steps.
The Consolidation of Student Loans Brings Reduced Payments
When a student gets all his or her loans under the same Social Security number, then the government will agree to consolidate those student loans. The student's individual loans are paid off, giving the student one large loan.
Moreover, when the government takes steps to consolidate student loans, it also takes two other important steps: It extends the loan and it lowers the loan rate.
There is not set way by which a loan provider can bring down the rate on a consolidated loan. A reputable loan provider carefully examines all the possible ways that a student's rate might be made lower.
The loan provider then establishes that low rate as the rate for a consolidated and extended loan.
The government's willingness to both extend the loan and to lower the rate can save students considerable money. Although the payment schedule has been extended, the person with the consolidated loan can feel free to pay the loan off ahead of schedule.
In other words, there is no prepayment penalty levied on those who make an early pay-off after choosing to consolidate student loans.
Two More Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
It was mentioned above that the rate on a consolidated loan is lower than the rate on each of the original loans. Besides being lower, that rate is also fixed. The rate on a Stafford or Perkins Loan is variable.
The rate on a consolidated loan does not change during the course of the loan.
A student with a consolidated loan does not need to spend time keeping track of the payment schedule for two, three or more loans. That student loan recipient can just make a single monthly payment.
Often the student elects to make that single payment through an automatic debit. That can decrease the loan rate by another 0.25%.
Still Other Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
Gradate students who consolidate student loans can learn then about fellowships and graduate school loans. Parents who consolidate their loans can search for free money or private loans. Those benefits come on top of the loan's lower interest rate.
When you consolidate student loans, you provide yourself with a chance to improve your credit score. No graduate wants to face credit problems that have been caused by his or her need to take out loans in order to cover college expenses.
In light of all the above benefits, students should ask this question:
Who Can Qualify for the Program to Consolidate Student Loans?
Before allowing a student to consolidate student loans, the government looks to see if the student or graduate owes $10,500 or more.
The government also checks to see if the loan recipient has any loans in default.
The Consolidation of Student Loans Brings Reduced Payments
When a student gets all his or her loans under the same Social Security number, then the government will agree to consolidate those student loans. The student's individual loans are paid off, giving the student one large loan.
Moreover, when the government takes steps to consolidate student loans, it also takes two other important steps: It extends the loan and it lowers the loan rate.
There is not set way by which a loan provider can bring down the rate on a consolidated loan. A reputable loan provider carefully examines all the possible ways that a student's rate might be made lower.
The loan provider then establishes that low rate as the rate for a consolidated and extended loan.
The government's willingness to both extend the loan and to lower the rate can save students considerable money. Although the payment schedule has been extended, the person with the consolidated loan can feel free to pay the loan off ahead of schedule.
In other words, there is no prepayment penalty levied on those who make an early pay-off after choosing to consolidate student loans.
Two More Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
It was mentioned above that the rate on a consolidated loan is lower than the rate on each of the original loans. Besides being lower, that rate is also fixed. The rate on a Stafford or Perkins Loan is variable.
The rate on a consolidated loan does not change during the course of the loan.
A student with a consolidated loan does not need to spend time keeping track of the payment schedule for two, three or more loans. That student loan recipient can just make a single monthly payment.
Often the student elects to make that single payment through an automatic debit. That can decrease the loan rate by another 0.25%.
Still Other Reasons to Consolidate Student Loans
Gradate students who consolidate student loans can learn then about fellowships and graduate school loans. Parents who consolidate their loans can search for free money or private loans. Those benefits come on top of the loan's lower interest rate.
When you consolidate student loans, you provide yourself with a chance to improve your credit score. No graduate wants to face credit problems that have been caused by his or her need to take out loans in order to cover college expenses.
In light of all the above benefits, students should ask this question:
Who Can Qualify for the Program to Consolidate Student Loans?
Before allowing a student to consolidate student loans, the government looks to see if the student or graduate owes $10,500 or more.
The government also checks to see if the loan recipient has any loans in default.
COLLEGE LOANS CONSOLIDATION (advantages & disadvantages)
There are benefits and disadvantages when you consolidate college loans. Now that you're a graduate, and after the celebration has passed, you have to take some serious steps in meeting your obligations - that is, to repay your student loans. By consolidating your student loans, you combine multiple loans into one.
How Student Loan Consolidation Works
It's actually very simple. When you borrow a number of student loans from different lenders when you're in school, you might have a hard time keeping up with all the payments. By consolidating loans, all your student loans are combined into one new loan from one lender, at a lower interest rate, and even longer time to repay. Although this might sound enticing, it is best if you consider the benefits as well as the drawbacks so you can make a good decision.
Consolidation During Grace Period
There are two sides to this issue. The good thing about this is that you can receiver a lower consolidation loan interest rate if you consolidate variable-rate Stafford loans during your grace period (six months after you leave school before you start making payments). However, the bad side is that when you start consolidating your loans during grace period, you forfeit the remaining grace period and have to begin making payments on your consolidation loan within 60 days. To solve this, you can consolidate your loans during the later part of your grace period.
Repayment Period Extension
You can extend your repayment period of up to 30 years basing on your total education loan debt. This means that your monthly payments will dramatically decrease. If you're having a hard time coming up with the monthly payments, then this will be good for you. However, by stretching your debt over a longer time, you will be paying more interest over the life of your loan. In the end, you'll be paying more for your loan in the long run. That's why it is better if you settle your accounts with the shortest repayment period possible that you can afford. And, there's no penalty for prepayment so you can pay even before the payment is due.
One Payment From One Lender
On the good side, consolidation will really simplify your life. You only have to deal with payments to one lender, and is thus less hassling to you. On the downside, you could be giving up some benefits that your current loans provide such as loan cancellation and deferment eligibility.
Think about these things. Those are just some of the things you have to consider before you consolidate college loans. It's up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, or the other way around.
How Student Loan Consolidation Works
It's actually very simple. When you borrow a number of student loans from different lenders when you're in school, you might have a hard time keeping up with all the payments. By consolidating loans, all your student loans are combined into one new loan from one lender, at a lower interest rate, and even longer time to repay. Although this might sound enticing, it is best if you consider the benefits as well as the drawbacks so you can make a good decision.
Consolidation During Grace Period
There are two sides to this issue. The good thing about this is that you can receiver a lower consolidation loan interest rate if you consolidate variable-rate Stafford loans during your grace period (six months after you leave school before you start making payments). However, the bad side is that when you start consolidating your loans during grace period, you forfeit the remaining grace period and have to begin making payments on your consolidation loan within 60 days. To solve this, you can consolidate your loans during the later part of your grace period.
Repayment Period Extension
You can extend your repayment period of up to 30 years basing on your total education loan debt. This means that your monthly payments will dramatically decrease. If you're having a hard time coming up with the monthly payments, then this will be good for you. However, by stretching your debt over a longer time, you will be paying more interest over the life of your loan. In the end, you'll be paying more for your loan in the long run. That's why it is better if you settle your accounts with the shortest repayment period possible that you can afford. And, there's no penalty for prepayment so you can pay even before the payment is due.
One Payment From One Lender
On the good side, consolidation will really simplify your life. You only have to deal with payments to one lender, and is thus less hassling to you. On the downside, you could be giving up some benefits that your current loans provide such as loan cancellation and deferment eligibility.
Think about these things. Those are just some of the things you have to consider before you consolidate college loans. It's up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons, or the other way around.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
COLLEGE LOANS CONSOLIDATION
Student-Loan Consolidation Programs
Convenience and Cost Savings Are Key Benefits
While interest rates on education loans are currently at low levels, they may begin to rise again. For students with several federal education loans, a federal consolidation loan can provide a way to continue benefiting from today's low rates. A federal consolidation loan pays off the student's other federal education loans and allows him to lock in a low fixed rate. The program also offers the convenience of making only one loan payment per month, instead of several payments.
What to Look for in a Loan
How do you go about choosing a federal consolidation loan? The key terms for federal consolidation loans are the same, regardless of the lender. No lender may charge any extra fees to the borrower, such as origination or application fees, or a prepayment penalty. Lenders are all subject to the same interest-rate formula, although they may charge less than the maximum allowed. Federal law also establishes the payback period.
When comparing federal consolidation loans, find out what benefits, such as a lower interest rate, are available from each lender. Ask the lender to estimate how much its particular benefits will reduce the total amount of all payments for the loan if payments are made on time. For example, if a lender offers a five-year loan with monthly payments of $100, then the total amount of all payments for this loan would be $6,000 (5 years × 12 months per year × $100 per month). Then find out the total amount of all payments for other lenders and compare those to the $6,000 figure offered by this particular lender. If another lender offers a number of less than $6,000, then that would be a cost savings. A figure higher than $6,000 means an additional cost. If payments are not made on time, then penalties may be charged, and this would increase the total amount of all payments on the loan.
Watch Out for Private Loans
While private consolidation loans are also available, be aware that private lenders are not subject to the terms stipulated for federal consolidation loans. Private loans may involve fees, variable rates, or prepayment penalties. Furthermore, certain benefits are not available on a private consolidation loan. These include benefits such as federal interest subsidies during a deferment period, in which the federal government pays the interest on a loan during the period in which payments are deferred. Federal consolidation loans are therefore the better way to go.
COLLEGE LOANS CONSOLIDATION
Student-Loan Interest May Be Tax Deductible
The price of a college education continues to climb, but a tax break may be available that could lower the total cost. Taxpayers who meet certain requirements can deduct the interest on student loans on their federal tax returns. While parents and students should consult with their tax adviser to see if this deduction is available to them, the following list of a few of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules in this area can provide a useful starting point:
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Amount of the Potential Deduction
The maximum deductible interest on a qualified student loan is $2,500. This amount is per return, not per person, and varies depending on factors such as filing status and income. -
Filing Status
Taxpayers who file their returns as "married filing separately" may not deduct student-loan interest. Those whose filing status is "married filing jointly," "single," "head of household," or "qualifying widow or widower" may be able to deduct the interest. -
Income Limitations
Certain income restrictions also apply. Taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) under a certain amount may deduct the full $2,500 of student-loan interest. The deduction is gradually reduced as MAGI rises, and no deduction is available for MAGI over a certain limit. The MAGI limits vary depending on filing status. For a definition of MAGI, contact the IRS or your tax adviser. They can also provide information on the MAGI limits used to determine the deductible of student-loan interest. -
Parent's Loan vs. Child's Loan
Children who no longer are dependents and take out student loans in their own name may be able to deduct the interest. If the loan is a taken out in a parent's name for a child's education, the interest on that loan may be deducted by the parent as long as the child was the parent's dependent when the loan was received. If both the parent and the child receive loans to finance the education, the determination of who gets the deduction depends on whether the child was a dependent. In this case, if the child was not the parent's dependent when the loans were taken out, the parent may not deduct the interest, although the child can take the deduction; if the child was a dependent, the parent can deduct the interest.
Other restrictions may apply to the deductible of student-loan interest at the federal level, and state tax laws vary. So again, make sure to check with your tax adviser before deducting student-loan interest on your return.
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