So... I'm going to go to DC for grad school. However, I need student loans! My school sent me a couple things (Nellie Mae and Citibank) for extra loans...

However, I don't know how much I'll get for Stafford loans. I'm 21 and don't have that much money, so should I assume that I'll get the max. amount (18,500 combined) when I apply for the alt. loan?

Hi Lady M,

I would suggest you speak with the financial aid office of the school you are attending. If you are an American citizen, and depending on the income of your parents, you will be provided a number of options regarding grants and loans. Being a female, as I assume you are, you will have more grant options available to you than those of us of the XY gender. Especially, if you have good grades. I would further suggest avoiding any non-subsidized loans unless you absolutely have no choice. The subsidized rate is about 6% per year after you graduate, so very inexpensive debt to own, but be careful that the profession you choose will provide the fundage necessary to pay back the loans. 18.5k per year for a five year Ph. D. is nearly 100k, the price of a reasonable house in most parts of the country.

For example, if you are geting a degree in pharmacy or an MBA you have nothing to worry about. If you are getting a Masters in teaching or social work, the debt load may be unreasonable. Just my two cents as a starving student, though soon I will be on the outside!

Boosch

Well, the Stafford unsubidised loans won't cover school. And I'm getting my Masters in International Affairs, Security studies so I don't anticipate having too much trouble finding a job (the stats the school provided shows that not one student who graduated last year was making less than 25,000 - and that one person was working for a non-profit org.)

Hi Lady Macbeth,
Have you got a generous Grandfather/Grandmother/Parent/relation who you can "Borrow" the money from?
I've had three at University and Grandad has financed them all (we couldn't afford it) with (to be honest) no chance of getting his money back.
If you can in any way avoid the "Banks" do it, they are only in it to make money and your loan could become a very heavy weight.

Nope, unfortunately I don't have anyone to borrow money from! So I filled out my loan application and hope to hear something within the next month or so.