Corollary Axis pointing the way to financial success

The Controversy Surrounding Premium Bonds

01.31.2010 · Posted in investing

Premium bonds have come under fire from various groups. This government plan to give a saving opportunity to the common man allows people to buy premium bonds for a chance to win a fifty to a million pound cash prize. Unlike American lotteries, the money that you invest to buy the bonds can be used again and again during the monthly drawings. The bonds you invest in, the more you have a chance to win. The can buy up to thirty thousand premium bonds in your lifetime and the cash winnings can add up nicely if you are consistent.

Some religious groups find this is a way to gamble. Most protestant worshippers think that lottery or any other money for chance activities is prohibited by the Bible. What they do not know that you can’t lose money in the premium bond market, you only invest. If you win a cash prize fine, otherwise you can take your money and cash in the bonds with no penalty. The cash prize just adds the element of gambling to savings with the chance that you will forfeit your original investment. The random picking of the bond numbers is just making the activity fairer to all investors.

In the Bible there is no direct instruction not to gamble. In the Ten Commandments, thou shall not covet, is mentioned, but this could be interpreted as coveting another man’s wife or property.  The idea that money is coveted could be listed with the seven deadly sins of greed, but is the hope for a brighter future a sin. Premium bonds offer the saver a safe place for their money and a hope for money. There is nothing malicious about it. Even some of the money used by the government who sponsors the premium bonds goes to charitable organizations.

Even if it is not religiously oriented, there is a strong moral objection to gambling. There are some people that go over board when they are at a casino or playing the lottery, but premium bonds do not let you do that. You are not going to lose money. The money you put in will be able to be collected back anytime you want.  The winnings are an interest given out randomly with no chance of your losing the investment. It is not gambling. It is a different way to accrue your interest in a exciting way. Why get the meager interest rates offered by the traditional financial savings plan?  You have the chance of making thousand percents on your original money.

If you are now swayed from your belief that premium bonds are a system of gambling, you can purchase the bonds at your local post office and start a savings account that could make you a rich person. Even if you don’t become another Bill Gates you might get a couple of cash prizes that will be more than the three to four percent interest you receive in the traditional savings programs.

Don’t Get Hustled When Applying for a Personal Loan

01.12.2010 · Posted in personal loans

Personal loans are a great way to generate the revenue you need for a variety of needs. Such loans can be secured by banks, loan companies, private investors, and online lenders. It is important that you are aware of personal loan scams and how to avoid them. This type of scam was ranked #5 in the United States for the year 2000. On average, each person scammed lost $464. As a result, the Federal government has been working hard to educate the public about such scams.

The advanced fee personal loan scam is the most common method of taking your money and running. Most victims of such a scam never report it to the authorities because they are embarrassed that they feel for such a ruse. Victims also feel angry. They obviously needed money or they wouldn’t  have applied for a loan in the first place. They now have less money than they did to begin with. Those who do report the scam are often frustrated because the perpetrators are very seldom caught and brought to justice. It is very important that you do report any such instant of advanced fee personal loan scam. If you donít, you are further enabling the predator to do it to others.

Advanced fee personal loan scams work on those who are desperate for a loan, over trusting, uneducated, and who have bad credit. More than half of advanced fee personal loan victims are under the age of 30. The lender tells the applicant that they guarantee they can work with their situation, but that there is a loan processing fee involved. This can be a fee hundred dollars or more. With the technology available now, it is not uncommon for the operators of these scams to have websites and even 800 numbers for you to call. They will send you letters that look so official, you won’t give them a second thought.

The stories of those victimized by such advanced fee personal loan scams will break your heart. One woman had been laid off and was about to be evicted. She found another job and applied for a personal loan to get caught up on the rent. She paid the lender almost her entire first paycheck for so called processing fees on this loan they guaranteed she was eligible for. She was understandably upset when she was evicted as well as found out the lender had taken off with her hard earned money.

To protect yourself from falling victim to advanced personal fee loan scams, be careful who you attempt to borrow from. Make sure they are a reputable company. If they are an online business, check them with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure you enter there business name exactly as they list it. A well known practice of this scam is to use a name very similar to an actual reputable lending institution that applicants may be familiar with the name of.

For those of you with bad credit or no credit, donít believe something that sounds too good to be true, it likely is as the saying goes. You may have to pay a higher interest rate if you have bad credit or no credit, but you should never have to pay any fees up front to apply for a loan or to have it processed. Some personal loan scams will call the fees you pay the first month payment or a high risk deposit. Applicants need to be aware that no such things exist. As a matter of fact, any lender must allow you to have access to the funds for minimum of seven days before they can collect a first payment. You can check the legitimacy of any fees charged by a financial institution with the Federal Trade Commission. If you are facing financial difficulties, look for advice from a reputable non-profit credit counseling service rather than a lender.

Are Payday Loans Okay in the Near-term?

01.05.2010 · Posted in cash advance loans

Anything can happen at any point in our life as life is full of uncertainties. The remote of life is not in our hand, we cannot control each and every mishappening. The thing, which can be controlled, is availability of money and predominantly cash.

Payday loans are taken before salary day to meet the credit requirements and short-term cash, which are liable to happen. Due to uncertainties of life payday loans are getting more and more popular day by day. Payday loans are available in the market with a variety of names, such as check advance loans, cash advance loans, deferred deposit check loans or post-dated check loans etc.

With payday loans you can get $100 to $500. The interest rates of payday loans vary a lot, a good research and comparison of rates between local and online lenders can absolutely give you good rates.

With regard to an overall picture payday loans are taken to meet the following requirements:

-To pay grocery bills.
-To pay unanticipated large car bills.
-To compensate utility bills.
-To pay a medical bill.
-Any other kind of expenditures, which can suddenly come up.

How do payday loans work?

The procedure of getting payday loans is very simple. First of all, estimate your needs and then apply to the lender in person, generally your application will be approved and you will get the needed cash within a few hours. Before applying for a payday loan, you should be confirmed that you fit in the following standards.

-You must be a USA citizen.
-You must be at least 18 years of age.
-Your monthly earning must not be less than $2000 USD.
-You must have a current check bank account.
-You must have a valid identity proof.

After verifying the information given by you, the bank or financial institution you contact, will determine if your loan needs can be met. The repayment time will be determined during the application process.

Online banking options is also open, you can even apply via internet. While applying online, do collect the following documents:

a) Income verification certificate
b) Your bank statement, fax them to the lending institution.

After approval of your application, the requested amount will be directly transferred to your account in the next few hours. Use payday loan to meet your small needs. Once you have agreed for repayment, the amount will be deducted from your account on a predetermined date.

The Truth Surrounding Payday Loans

12.30.2009 · Posted in cash advance loans

For some people, the idea of getting a payday loan is still a strange prospect it might even be a little scary. With some of the news stories about instant loans circulating the media, warning consumers about the pitfalls of fast cash advances, applying for one may not seem like a good plan if you find yourself in a financial bind.

But in many instances, a payday loan can be an excellent way to obtain cash quickly, especially in an emergency situation. Not everything in life is planned ñ you may suddenly have to pay a large car repair bill, or any other unexpected expense. If you don’t own a credit card, or have already maxed it out, and donít want to burden friends or family with a request for money, the only option you really have left is an overnight cash advance.

A payday loan is a small short-term loan (usually in the amount of $100-$1500) that has a high interest rate. It allows you to access cash, usually overnight, before your next payday, which is much faster than a traditional loan from a bank. And itís easier to be approved for cash advance loans ñ you can even apply for one online. You don’t have to go through a credit check, the process is discreet, and the transaction is secure. And if you have no credit, or bad credit, this wont affect your ability to obtain a payday loan. Itís no wonder payday loans are growing in popularity.

Although you have to pay a fee to take out a cash advance, in some circumstances getting your hands on much needed funds, almost instantly, is worthwhile, as long as you know your next paycheck will be able to cover the loan right away.

Of course, just like with any other loan, it ís important to realize that you should only apply for a payday loan if you plan to pay it back with your next paycheck. That is the purpose of a payday loan to advance you the money you need before you get paid. Don’t go into the process with the intention of renewing the loan.

Most of the controversy surrounding payday loans is entirely unwarranted. Ultimately, a payday loan company provides a service that is needed in the community, and when used responsibly for its intended purposes, it can really help people get out of sticky situations.

If you plan on getting a cash advance, just follow a simple rule to avoid running into unwanted problems: apply for one from a reputable company that wonít gouge you for all you have (or don’t have). If you take advantage of a cash advance loan, pay the loan back by your next payday, so more interest charges won’t accumulate.

Payday loans can be an effective way to access cash quickly, at times when you need it most. As long as you plan to use the service the way it ís meant to be, and avoid companies that don’t cater well to their customer’s needs, it might just be the best thing for you.

Being Frugal In Today’s Economy

12.23.2009 · Posted in saving money

Buy everyday items you use in bulk. Buy the biggest package you can find, which gives you the most for the money.

Cut out most frozen foods. Some frozen foods make sense, like buying frozen bread dough. It is cheaper to buy three or four unbaked loaves together, than to buy one loaf of bread in the bread section. You can dress up frozen bread dough by rolling it out, brushing it with butter and spreading cinnamon-sugar. Just roll it back up and bake. Voila, you have cinnamon bread. Throw in raisins or pecans for variety.

Buy less convenience foods, and more staples like dry beans, rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, milk and butter (store brand.) Buy food in bulk when possible. Forgo the nicely packaged pre-made honey butter, mashed potatoes, or other prepared foods.

Eat out less. If you must eat restaurant food, get the whole meal as a take-out. That saves you from buying pricey mixed drinks, paying gratuities, and buying that fancy dessert you couldn’t live without but didn’t need.

Instead of going to the theater, buying popcorn and expensive tickets in prime time rent it at Blockbuster later. Maybe the movie won’t be “new” when you see it, but you will save a bunch of money. Call the museum or zoo and see if there’s any price discounts for certain days of the week If you need to buy clothes, avoid any that need to be dry cleaned only. During tough times, shy away from outfits that have special care needs. Go for anything that can be thrown in the washer and dryer.

Use the car less. This is obvious but worth mentioning. Combine trips, so you aren’t wasting gas. If your car doesn’t require high-octane gas, forget about it. Regular works fine. To save even more money, use public transportation.

What To Do When It Is Time to Purchase A Used Car

12.15.2009 · Posted in auto loans

When you are looking to buy a used car, you will want to make sure that you are able to handle the used car dealer.  Sometimes, it can be hard to take on the challenges that they throw your way.  They are sometimes a little bit pushy and over bearing when it comes to someone wanting to purchase a used car.  If you are not ready to take them on when you go to the dealership, you may end up with a bad deal.

You want to get the best deal that you can when you are looking to purchase a used car.  This means that you need to know a few things. You will want to understand what types of cars are out there and what you are looking for. You want to get the type of used car that you want so that you are happy and satisfied with your vehicle.   You should also go in there with an approximate idea of what the price should be for the car. This will help you when it comes to determine if you are getting a good deal or not.

Do not let the used car dealer talk you into anything that you do not want. You should feel comfortable buying a used car.  If you are not sure about something, you should take the time to check out the facts first and then make your decision.  If you are just buying the car because the dealer said that it is perfect for you, you may end up being disappointed in the end.  You want to use your better judgment to make the choice about the used car that you want.

You need to take the car for a test drive. You should make the used car dealer know that you are looking to check out how it runs and how comfortable you are in the drivers seat. You should take the car for as long as you need to so that you can test it out as good as you can. You want to learn as much about this particular car as you can.  You may even have to come back at a later time with another person to give you a second opinion on if you should buy that car or not.

Check out the entire car before you buy. If the used car dealer is trying to push you into just buying the car, you should move on. You need to make sure that everything is just as you want it so that you are getting a good car that will be worth the money that you are spending on it.  You so not want to be ripped off by a bad used car dealer. You can always ask for someone else to handle your deal if the sales clerk that you are with is not making you comfortable.  It is your money and your time and you deserve the best possible treatment.

What You Need To Do To Get A Cash Advance Loan

12.09.2009 · Posted in cash advance loans

There are many ways to obtain a quick cash advance loan:  one way is to apply for a cash advance loan with a cash advance company that doesn’t require a credit check.  This can speed up the process of getting a cash advance a lot and will allow the cash advance company to give you a response within a matter of days.

Other ways to apply for a cash advance loan are to apply for one either online or at the actual cash advance company; each of these ways has their advantages and both will allow for a quick response from the company.  This is due to the fact that online cash advance companies do promise, in some cases a 24-hour response so you can be sure that you will receive a response from them quickly.

All cash advance companies aim to give you a response to your application in a short amount of time.  They all pride themselves on doing this as they know that their customers need the money as quickly as possible, and they aim to meet the customerís demand for the money.

All you need to do for a cash advance loan these days is simply fill in a form and then send it to the company either through their website or by standard mailing if you got the application from their offices.  Most companies will want you to fill the form in when you are there, and you will most likely prefer that also so you know they have received the form and that they are processing it, then that’s it — you just fill in the form and you are ready to receive their reply.

Just remember that they do not have to accept you so it is best to have a back up plan, but if they do grant you the cash advance loan, then you will see that it is quick and easy.

Getting a Low-Cost Debt Consolidation Loan

11.30.2009 · Posted in debt

If you are searching for cheap debt consolidation loans, you may want to go online and check out the guides, terms, conditions, and other information provided by various resources online. You will find out quickly that few lenders offer refinancing for mortgages with 1% interest rates.

So what options do you have? Secured loans are an excellent way to consolidate your debt at a low rate of interest. Secured loans may also include a plan for consolidating your current debts, including credit cards. These loans will roll your bills into the mortgage, including the interest rates on your credit cards and other loans. Some may offer similar loans, but will put you deeper in debt later; therefore make sure you read all information available before agreeing to any conditions.

It’s amazing how many debt consolidation lenders will work to help homeowners to get a loan to repay their debts, while few offer help to those families and individuals that are not homeowner. The companies that offer help to individuals and families that do not own a home are some of the better sources, since they are not seeking collateral. In other words, these people are probably working hard to help families and individuals get out of debt.

Don’t be misled! Some companies will claim to help get you a loan at the cheapest rates. However, once you land the loan, you might find high rates of interest attached, coupled with hidden fees that the reps failed to tell you about. Therefore, if makes sense to stay alert when you are searching for debt relief. If you do not read the fine print, you could sign yourself over to even larger debts.

If you are searching for a way to get out of debt, you may want to cutback on some of your spending before you do anything else. Sometimes when we make small sacrifices and apply the money cutback to paying off debts, we find a source of relief. Once you have tightened your belt, you should then seek a loan with the cheapest interest rates.

Locating a Good Home Equity Loan Lender

11.22.2009 · Posted in home loans

Various companies online are offering equity loans to homeowners. It depends on the lender, but some offer equity loans at rates as low as 1% rates. These rates may seem appealing, but homeowners are encouraged to read on to find out how much the 1% will cost them over time. If you are considering home equity loans, you might want to go online and use the various calculators to determine your goal in home equity loan.

Some calculators are for first time buyers and will help them determine cost of rentals versus the cost of buying a home, while other calculators will help the homeowner decide if his choice of home equity loan is valid. In other words, the calculators can help you review your decision to
take out a second loan on your home–whether or not you have already done so.

Homeowners considering second equity mortgage loans are advised to review their first loan terms and conditions, searching for clauses or penalties. If the first loan has clauses and penalties, you want to make sure you understand the agreement to avoid financial burden. Few lenders offer loans that stipulate that if the borrower opts for another loan during the term of the mortgage that he/she must repay the first mortgage in full before the second loan is optional. Thus, this means that you will apply for an equity loan that will repay the first mortgage in full at the same time covering the cost of the second mortgage.

Thus, various companies online offer generous loan amounts, including lower repayments on mortgage and interest; therefore, learn all you can about mortgages and equity loans and use that equity loan education to make the best possible decision. Being careful and picky when selecting a equity loan can only help you in the long run, as you will have to commit to long term payment fees and interest rates.

Saving Money When Making a Gift Basket

11.15.2009 · Posted in saving money

Holidays and birthdays come around whether you are living a frugally or not.  You don’t have to break your budget in order to give a gift that will not only be loved by its recipient, but also used often.

Gift boxes or baskets make wonderful, thoughtful gifts for everyone and are only limited by your imagination.  Once you start making these up, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner.  They are fun to make and give, can be worked into nearly every budget and can be tailored for the pickiest on your list.  Below are a few ideas to get you started.

Frugal Food Basket: Mix up some master baking mix, pancake mix, cookie mix, or muffin mix. Pick and choose or give them all in tightly sealed containers or jars and attach recipes for using and the mix recipe. Specialty rice and rice mixes, bean mixes, bean and rice mixes, oatmeal, and couscous. All these can be put in mason jars and decorated appealing.  Don’t forget instructions on how to use the mixes. A pack of herb seeds or starter plants for indoor herb gardening.

Treat Gift Basket: Now this one is great to give the frugal person food items that his or her budget, or frugal mind, just won’t allow. Everyone has favorite gourmet items that they love but rarely treat themselves to. If you don’t know exactly what the person likes most, it won’t take much investigating to find out.

Coffee or Tea Gift Basket: Pack this basket with several different brands of gourmet or specialty coffee or a lot of the one brand you know she loves. Include a permanent coffee filter to fit the brand of coffeemaker she uses to show you haven’t forgotten her practical side! You can easily adapt the contents to fit the tea lover instead. Top it off with a nice coffee cup.

Getting Out of Credit Card Debt May Be Difficult, But It Is Still Very Possible

11.08.2009 · Posted in credit cards

Getting into debt is easy but getting out of it really a difficult task. This holds good for any kind of debt and includes credit card debt too. Credit card debt reduction needs planning and discipline in the way you spend money.

Credit card debt reduction starts with reduction in the expenditures you make using your credit card. So, the first trick for credit card reduction is to go for shopping without your credit card (carry some small amount of cash). This credit card reduction technique isnít asking you to stop shopping, instead itís just asking you to seriously evaluate the need of anything you want to purchase and not just purchase it on the spur of the moment. So, if you really-really need to buy it, you will go back to your home to fetch your credit card thus introducing a delay that is instrumental in killing spur-of-the-moment purchase (and hence helping in credit card debt reduction). It gives you time to evaluate if itís really worth going back home and getting the credit card for purchasing that item. So, in this case, credit card debt reduction is achieved by preventing the debt from building up further. Itís a very effective credit card debt reduction measure.

The other effective way of credit card debt reduction is debt consolidation i.e. consolidating debt from high APR credit cards to a low APR one. So this credit card debt reduction measure works by reducing the rate at which your credit card debt grows. Moreover, this way of credit card debt reduction also gives you a breather in the form of a short initial period when the APR is 0%. Besides credit card debt reduction, debt consolidation also brings some additional benefits which are basically in terms of rewards etc offered by the new credit card supplier. Thus this method of credit card debt reduction is really more than just a credit card debt reduction method ñ itís a benefit provider too. If you are not comfortable in taking forward this method of credit card debt reduction, you can seek the help of a credit card debt assistance company.

Besides these two credit card debt reduction measures, which are really the most important credit card debt reduction measures, there are other methods too for credit card debt reduction. Another one is to ask your current credit card supplier for help in credit card debt reduction i.e. by lowering the APR. It might work out for you (as it does for some people).

Also remember, that there are people (professionals) out there who provide advice on credit card debt reduction (just in case you need them).

Identifying a Good Home Equity Loan in Today’s Market

11.01.2009 · Posted in home loans

Finding equity loans is easier than ever nowadays, since lenders and brokers are teaming up to sell equity loans, mortgage loans, credit lines and so forth. The home equity loans are a method for paying off high rates of interest on credit cards, buying material to fix a home, and paying off school fees. The credit lines are more for getting cash extended up to ten years on a credit line, similar to a credit card. Few banks offer checks for cashing out, while others permit credit card users to use the credit line. Refinancing, in contrast, is simply releasing cash on a home to increase equity value.

Now, we can look at the rates on each type of loan to decide which option is the better choice. Some lenders offer 5.74% interest rates on home equity loans. Refinancing loan lenders, on the other hand, often offer a percentage less to help homeowners reduce the high interest rates on a pending mortgage loan. The loans are designed to change the terms of a pending loan, converting the loan to
a lower payment plan. The homeowner can use the loan to consolidate debts, or else replace an existing loan. Be careful when choosing sites that claim no credit check are needed, since under law of the lenders, these sources are obligated to review the borrower’s credit status.

Finally, credit lines are known as HELOC–otherwise called Home Equity Line of Credit. These loans have the Prime Rates of interest; however, the homeowner can elect when he wishes to utilize the credit, as well as choose when he wishes to repay the debt during an interval. As you can see, there are various options for home equity and each option has something more to offer of different things than the next.

Getting Started with Penny Stocks the Right Way

10.28.2009 · Posted in penny stocks

To see quality results when you are first getting started with trading penny stocks you are going to have put in the time to learn the theoretical aspects and other concepts that are going to have a direct affect on the success of your trading. If you are just starting out you may have some luck at first, but in all likelihood that isn’t going to last and when that happens you are gong to have to put in the effort to go back and learn all the fundamental concepts and methods to re-establish your confidence. Perhaps the best thing you can learn how to do when you are first beginning is how to perform the correct amount of penny stock research. If you want to become an independent trader that doesn’t have to rely too heavily on third parties then it is imperative that you learn how to perform the correct amount of research on your own without the help of a third party.

To make a consistent profit in this business you are going to have to learn how to pick good penny stocks, and to do this you are going to have to take into consideration all of the resources that may be at your disposal. You have probably heard about all the penny stock hot lists that are out there, and within these kinds of lists are a listing of the supposed best penny stocks to watch. The truth about these types of lists is that they can serve a purpose if you know how to utilize them correctly, and this will come down to your cumulative acumen as a trader along with the experiential knowledge to determine what works, and what doesn’t.

If you have not developed enough skill and ability to determine whether these kinds of hotlists can provide you with good information then you should simply not utilize the recommendations they provide if you don’t want to gamble your money away. This is because these kinds of lists only contain useful information a minority of the time, and they most often contain data that is only put into existence to serve the person or entity who created the list. To buy penny stock without using your own best judgment, and by not performing your own due diligence on the quality of information that is provided with these kinds of resources you are setting yourself up for failure, and in the end these lists and hot picks should only be used in conjunction with your own knowledge and ability, as well as your other avenues of data collection.

Stop the Madness! Getting Control of Your Credit Card Use

10.26.2009 · Posted in credit cards

You know your debt is rising, but still cannot stop using your credit card for purchasing items. Several people get easily dependent on credit cards for
everyday expenses and impulsive buys. The fact that you are borrowing money from the creditor for your purchase might be tempting, but the truth is: you must
be able to pay it off on time. Neglecting those bills can cause headaches in the future. You might get malicious letters from your creditors, or even receive
threatening telephone calls.

Close, Shred and Leave

If you really want to avoid those from happening all together or if you are starting to drown in your debt, you have to stop credit card usage. Fortunately, there
are several ways on how to.

Firstly, many people would agree that closing your credit card account is the best way possible. One and simple call to your cardholder is sufficient enough to inactivate your credit card. Doing so might even quiet down that nagging feeling and desire to purchase items using a credit card. Just think that there might be
one situation wherein the clerk says your credit card has been denied; the embarrassment from that situation is reason enough for you to inactivate your credit card.

Shredding is also an excellent way to break the habit completely. You can use an office shredder since it works great on plastic as it does on paper. Since your
credit card is shredded into pieces, there is no way that you can swipe it. However, if you do not have a shredder, scissors are great too. Just cut the card into small pieces and make sure that the credit card number cannot be identified by potential thieves.

Another excellent way to stop using the credit card, especially when you go out of the house, is to leave them. If closing or shredding is not your style, try taking your credit card out of your wallet when you are about to go shopping. In this way, if you have the urge to buy something you really do not need, you have to think twice before buying it since you are about to use your own money.

The Shock and What Your Can Do About It

You have been using your credit card for your expenses but have you ever thought about the total amount of cash you spend in interest alone each year? More so,
the duration of time it will take you to just pay off your credit cards might shock you. It is all about the numbers and these will put you into shock and can make you think twice before using that credit card again.

For instance, if you have a balance of $1,000 and an interest rate of 14%, it will take you about four and a half years before you can pay it off; that is, if
you are making $25 in payments every month. By the time you pay off the balance, you will have paid a total of $347.55 in interest.

Since you know what credit cards can do, you might want to stop using it once and for all. Learn how to say “no” since this kind of discipline can help you stop impulsive buys, thus stopping the use of credit cards. Always think twice about swiping that credit card for your purchases and you would not have to think about repairing your credit in the future.

Utilizing the FAFSA to apply for Student Aid

10.23.2009 · Posted in student loans

FAFSA is Free Application For Student Aid. This is the first step in all applications for establishing a person’s eligibility for federal or private loans. Federal loans are called Stafford loans and will be covered separately. There is a minimum eight-week turn around time so application must be made early. This procedure must be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once this has been completed it will generate a form called the SAR or Student Aid Report.

If you do not include an email address on your FAFSA application the SAR report will be sent to the postal address indicated. Some institutions, such as foreign country institutions require the full eight-page SAR and this must be sent to a postal address. Once the SAR has been received, the student is then free to select the financial institution to secure the loan.

To ensure a person understands the entire process of filling out a FAFSA, a trip to the library may be in order. Check with the librarian for directions to start the search. By doing the research up front many of the more common pitfalls can be avoided. As you work through the search process, you may likely discover sources heretofore-unknown companies and businesses that offer student loans. Some of the larger libraries may even have a computer section where you can file the FAFSA application.

The FAFSA process will also list the state resources and funds available. Often these sources are overlooked. There are state student loan agencies that are available but too often the prospective student doesn’t even know they exist. By using the FAFSA process, all available resources are thus listed. Because this is a lengthy process and the loan application is also at times lengthy, one should start as early as possible to ensure compliance in time for classes to begin.