The volume of students opting for private student loans is increasing rapidly as compared to federal student loan volume. If the increase continues with the same rate than private education loan volume may surpass federal loans within a decade. So keeping this in mind it is necessary that a student has a right tool that they can use to compare different private loans. After maxing out the Federal Stafford Loan a student should consider obtaining a private education loan. Along this they should also file a free application for federal student aid so that they may qualify for grants, work-study and other form of student aids. Undergraduate students should also consider other aspects like better repayment terms.

So undergraduate students should file for Federal Plus loan as they give a better repayment options and are usually much less expensive. Fee charged by the lenders also play an important factor in increasing the amount of the loan. Fee charged by some lenders can significantly increase the cost of the loan. A loan with a relatively low interest rate but a very high fee can cost more than a loan as compared to a higher interest rate with no fee charged. Be wary of comparing loans with different repayment terms as longer repayment terms reduces the APR despite of increasing the total amount of interest paid. Best private student loans will always have a lower interest rate and no fee charged. Such loans can be compared to Federal Plus loan. But such loan offers will only be available to those borrowers who have great credit and also have a creditworthy consigner. Over the long term a loan with interest rates based on LIBOR is less expensive as compared to a loan that is based on the Prime Lending Rate. Some lenders use the Libor rate as it also reflects the cost of capital. It is often that the interest rates, fees and the loan amount limits would usually depend upon the credit history of the borrower and co-signer. Most lenders would also cap the annual loan amount at cost of education less aid received. Many lenders would rarely give the complete details of the terms of the private loan until after the submission of the application by the student in order to prevent comparisons based on the cost. So many lenders would only advertise the lower interest rates charged by them. but when we speak of borrows with bad credit they can expect higher interest rates like 6%, and loan fees that are as high as 9% keeping the loan limits as low as two-thirds lower than the advertised figures.

All lenders are atleast expected to provide a statement of annual percentage rate for the loan before signing a promissory note. This rate would also include any fee charged and can also be thought of as the effective interest rate including actual fee and interest.