Are student loans subject to statute of limitations?

A statute of limitations applies to private student loans but not to federal student loans, such as Stafford, Perkins, Parent PLUS and federal consolidation loans. That time varies by state. For some, it's as few as three years for others, it's as many as 10 years.

Who qualifies for unsubsidized student loans?

Have received a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g., GED) Enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or certificate program. Not in default on any existing federal student loans. Meet general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.

How long do you have to pay back private student loans?

It depends on the lender and the terms of the agreement. Some private lenders offer a grace period after you graduate during which you don't have to make student loan payments. The length of the grace period may vary, but it's usually about six months. Be sure to check your loan agreement to see what kind of grace period you have.

What happens if you just don't pay your student loans?

If you ignore your student loans, your balance will keep growing as interest accrues, plus you'll likely owe hefty additional fees if your debt gets moved into collections. If you default on federal student loans, the government can take your tax refund or up to 15% of your wages.

Is there a time limit on collecting student loans?

Not for collection of federal loans, but there is a time limit on private loan collection. The time limits for private loans vary by state but are usually about six years after default.

How much can you borrow for student loans?

The maximum amount you can borrow depends on factors including whether they're federal or private loans and your year in school. Undergraduates can borrow up to $12,500 annually and $57,500 total in federal student loans. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 annually and $138,500 in total.

What Can Student Loans Be Used For

People with financial limitations attend college usually depending on student loans. Loans are used to pay for qualified educational expenses, student loan helps to meet the college expenses.

The qualified educational expenses include tuition and related fees, room and board, textbooks, equipment and other related supplies, transportation, child-care and more. The student loans must be used very carefully for educational expenses and not for luxury goods.

Table of contents

Can student loan funds be used for non-educational expenses?
What would happen when you use your money for non-essentials?
What are the costs covered by the FAFSA?
Distribution of student loans
How to be smart with your loan amount?
Reducing the amount to be borrowed
Result of misusing your student loans
Ways to minimize your debt
Wise ways to spend the student loan amount

Can student loan funds be used for non-educational expenses?

When you apply for student loans, you agree to use the amount for your education. If a certain amount of student loan is dispersed to you, then you need to pay for items such as living expenses and related school expenses.

Education cost is more than just the tuition fee that you need to pay. Mostly the expenses of the college include tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board, transportation and other personal expenses.

The number of on-campus, off-campus commuter, in-state and out of state students is calculated by the schools.

The unused funds are usually disbursed to the student as per the company policy. These remaining funds can then be used for living expenses, transportation, books, and supplies.

Student loans can be used for tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, off-campus housing and utilities, transportation, gas, tolls, buses, trains, books, supplies, equipment, miscellaneous personal supply, toiletries, medication, groceries, study abroad program costs and many more.

However, it is best to not use student loan funds for non-educational expenses.

Things on which the funds shouldn't be used

Never spend your student loan funds on luxury items such as -

Concert Tickets, Netflix Subscriptions, unwanted electronic items, travel, vacations, holidays, car, motorcycle or bicycle, delivery food, down payments or repairs, business expenses, debt such as personal loans, auto loans or credit cards, someone else’s education costs and more.

What would happen when you use your money for non-essentials?

If the lender finds that you have misused your student loan funds, you might face consequences. Based on your lender’s policy, the current loans and the future loan options may be terminated.

You might be asked to repay the entire amount that you have already used. Understand that you’ll have to pay your borrowed money back with interest.

Though money can be borrowed for living expenses, you should not always depend on your loan amounts during school breaks. Thus, you can make essential payments without making any more debt.

Student loans can be affected by personal circumstances. The cost of attendance can be increased by expenses such as childcare costs, personal assistance, transportation costs, equipment, supplies and more.

When money is spent on housing and food, the cost of university attendance would depend on where do you reside. You can live in a home with your parents or campus housing, an off-campus apartment or house, and more.

Reasonable expenses will be estimated for your room and board if in case you are living off-campus.

What happens if you use student loans on something that you shouldn’t?

Most families today rely on student loans to pay for college and their living expenses. It is possible that you won't be able to repay the loan amount and will be in debt.

If you use the loan amount in fulfilling your desire then you may miss paying your tuition fee and your registration can be canceled. In such situations, your loan can be canceled as the loan was not utilized appropriately.

It would be tough to figure out, why would student loans be used, and why they aren’t able to be used. Student loans should be used for education-related expenses.

What are the costs covered by the FAFSA?

There is a general tendency that the student has to borrow more than what the COA provides to them.

The amount that is charged per credit or college account depends on the type of college that the student attends.

On-Campus Costs

The cost of on-campus housing and meal plans will also be covered by student loans.

Students who live off-campus will have a portion of living expenses that are covered through student loans. Student services on campus include activities, athletics, health, counseling, health, technology, transport, student union fees and more.

As per various studies, an average of $1,298 is usually spent by students on textbooks. They might also have to purchase supplies such as papers, notepads, writing implements, folders, and more.

Equipment that the student might need includes computers, calculators, materials for classes, microwaves, refrigerators, lamps, and other related necessities.

Off-Campus Costs

Students who live off-campus use loans to cover expenses, to and from college. Additional expenses include study abroad trip expenses, childcare for dependent children, clothing and also cell phone plans.

In order, to limit the tax liability, students should borrow what is required and, hence, should cover the expenses related to a college education. The expenses that are not related to your college education should not be claimed.

Your financial assistance will stop if in case you have misused funds. The money that you have already given is to be paid back.

Distribution of student loans

The money that is received in bulk, goes directly to the school to pay for tuition, fees, and housing. The remaining funds are used for personal expenses, relevant to education. This amount is received at the beginning of a school year or semester. However, some institutions distribute these funds in installments, to encourage more responsible spending among students.

During the making of student loan applications, you agree to pay for expenses such as living or school expenses. Because ultimately you want to pay your loans back, it is best to use your resources for something really important.

Moreover, lying on the FAFSA is a federal crime that results in fines, prison or both.

How to be smart with your loan amount?

An average graduate today has $37,000 in student loan debt. Effective management of debt would mean finding ways to be aware of how much you need to borrow. Even if you get a refund check, you’ll not have to spend it.

1. Create a budget - Instead, you can return it and lower your debt collection. You can even create a budget to keep your monthly spending in check. You can also find a part-time job to cover your non-education expenses.

2. Start saving - You can even keep your student loan money in a separate bank in which you don’t have immediate access. This might give you time for a second thought before you spend money on something that you would later regret.

The main goal of taking student loans is to use them as little as possible. If you use them for non-education expenses, the longer you’ll be paying them back.

How is the allowance determined?

The allowance for each expense is determined by your school. If higher costs than specified in the allowances are documented, then an appeal can be made to the possible adjustment to the cost of attendance.

If in case you get a refund check, you’ll not have to spend it. Instead, you can return it and lower your debt obligation.

Though there are two major sources of student loans, the Federal Loans are widely accepted because of the amount of money available and the loan repayment programs. Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation loans are included in the Federal Loan Program.

Student loan regulations can be different and there are several types for which you are eligible. Federal loans that are given directly to students include Stafford loans and Perkins Loans. Federal Loans are funded with government money and are entitled to low-interest rates and favorable repayment options.

Moreover, there is no requirement of a credit check or collateral. These loans can be consolidated upon graduation and this is an important factor when it comes to time for repayment. PLUS Loans are also called Parent Loans for undergraduate students.

Reducing the amount to be borrowed

The ways to reduce the cost of college are given below.

Seeking admission in a less expensive school
Searching for more scholarships and grants
Reducing the amount that you need to spend
Looking for ways to reduce cost such as buying used books
Eating on campus instead of dining out
Working part-time can indeed increase funds for you to face college

For unsubsidized loans, you can make payments while you are still in school.

Result of misusing your student loans

Refunds are most often issued directly to students. After the loan is issued by the Department of Education, it doesn't keep any record to whom it is distributed. But most schools do not actively look for misuse.

If the financial aid office of the institution finds that student loans were inappropriately used by the students, then it can be reported to the school’s Department for those funds.

Moreover, additional income will be accrued, if the financial aid office finds that the loans were misused. If the student exhausts his funds early in the semester then he would not be able to afford the many essential needs. Whether the borrower would need the entire amount cannot be factored by the current system.

When you get your financial aid award letters, you can either accept or reject portions of the loans. This will help you to assess your exact financial needs and borrow only the exact amount that you require.

If this is your first year in college, the cost of attendance can be calculated. However, you may need less money than college expenses. You can also review your previous spending to ensure that your borrowing matches your needs.

If in case parts of your federal loans are rejected, then you’ll probably get a chance to borrow, additional amounts in the academic year. You can then be sure that the money went to an appropriate purchase. The money that you pay might be borrowed back someday with interest.

Ways to minimize your debt

Effective ways to minimize your loan debts are given below.

You can make use of scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities
Federal loans offer a low, fixed-rate interest and if in case you qualify for need-based aid, interest wouldn’t accrue until you are done with school.
If annual or lifetime limits are set on federal loans, private loans can be considered as an alternative to federal PLUS Loans. Private loans can be priced with PLUS Loans and can help in funding.
Private loans can be priced with PLUS Loans and can be comparatively priced with PLUS Loans to fill college funding gaps.

Once a student loan refund check is received from school, the money can be deposited into your bank account. The money can then be used for things such as rent, utilities, groceries, and bills.

Wise ways to spend the student loan amount

The reason why students take student loans is to afford a college education. An alternative is to use the student loan amount to improve your financial status. Some of the methods that can be used by students to spend student loan money are given below.

Investment – The interest rates on student loans are lower than the related interest rates. The average returns of stock-market investments are higher than in the previous years. Thus, with a lower interest rate, you can earn money by investing your loan amount.

Mutual funds and index funds are the safest ways to invest your money. Another economical way to spend student loan money is to begin a business. A business does not always mean a high-funded and expensive project. One idea is to set up a website and buy some related inventory.

Moreover, you can even start a business for about $100. If you have a mind-blowing then why prevent yourself from giving it a shot. You can even lend money to other college students.

Distributing the amount that you have received is another way to earn from what you already have. Moreover, your discretion can be used while loaning out cash as well. The preferred method of business these days are formal contract and judge of character.