After exhausting all forms of “free money” for college, such as scholarships and federal grants, the next best thing for students are federal student loans (http://www.nextstudent.com) to help them pay for school. Federal Stafford student loans have low interest rates and are more appealing when they feature benefits and incentives, according to NextStudent, the Phoenix-based premier education funding company.

It is becoming much more difficult for some students to imagine their dream of a higher education, as college costs increasingly are on the rise along with the cost of tuition and other expenses. NextStudent believes that student loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/student-loans/student-loans.asp) should not be an extra burden to already cash-strapped college students, so the company offers incentives to make payments easier and more manageable.

. Federal Stafford loans do not require collateral or a credit check and payment is postponed until after graduation. There are no guarantee fees and students do not need a co-signer, these student loans have a low interest rate of 6.8 percent and are secured by the government.

NextStudent’s Stafford Student Loan Incentives

NextStudent has professionally trained Education Finance Advisers who know all the ins and outs of the numerous student loan programs offered. They are available to assist student borrowers with all their questions about the Federal Stafford Student Loan program. Through NextStudent’s Student Loan program, student borrowers receive:

· A .375 percent reduction on their interest rate when they make payments through Auto-Debit · A 2 percent interest rate reduction: 1 percent after the first 12 months of consecutive on-time payments, with an additional 1 percent rate reduction after 24 months of consecutive on-time payments · A 2 percent upfront cash rebate, whereby borrowers receive the full amount they qualify for at disbursement. Borrowers must participate in Auto-Debit and make one on-time monthly payment to qualify.

Types of Stafford Student Loans

There are two types of Stafford student loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. To qualify for a subsidized Stafford student loan a student must show financial need. The government pays the interest while a student is in school and during grace periods and deferment. With unsubsidized Stafford student loans, students are responsible for the interest; however, payment is deferred until after graduation. All students are eligible for unsubsidized Stafford loans.