Advice on paying for school - US (non-stafford/perkins loans)

In My Humble Opinion
1

Has anyone taken outside loans (like the Signature Student loan through Sallie Mae)? If so, has your experience been good/bad/neutral?

I’d be looking at a maximum of maybe $4,000 taken to cover expenses for this summer - this would be combined with my minimal summer financial aid (staffords were maxed out for fall/spring) and would let me fully cover my tuition expenses and rent/living expenses. I am hoping for a GA that would begin next fall - technically, it could begin this summer, but the tuition waiver does not kick in until fall 2003. Being able to take two classes this summer would make a huge difference in my workload for fall and spring next year or allow me to finish this master’s next spring instead of next August.

Help.

2

Sallie mae has been known not to ever, ever, ever let go of a loan, so if you look to consolidate later, it will have to be through them. Also, be sure to get you in school deferment asap. If you can, pay something, even 20 dollars a month, on the loan while actually in school. You would be amazed to see how fast interest adds up when people let these loans stretch out for long periods of time.