<p>Since Miami uses the Direct Loan program (which basically means they use the federals as the lender for federal loans - Stafford and PLUS loans) your only alternative at this point is to get a private education loan. </p>
<p>PLEASE beware of some of the private loan programs - they are credit based - their repayment terms are not very flexible - they are variable rate loans)</p>
<p>If you have completed the FAFSA then you can get a Stafford loan (everyone that completes the FAFSA can get one of these- use it if you need it!) - your next choice is to get a Parent PLUS loan to fill in the gap - there is no limit on how much you can borrow other than what the school will say you need. </p>
<p>IF you have a PLUS loan more than $10,000 right now -- the interest rates are going up in July so get that loan refinanced through the Education Consolidation program - you can get the rate locked down right now before they go up AND you can get some extra benefits on top of that - check out <a href="http://www.ohiolendingworks.org%5B/url%5D">www.ohiolendingworks.org</a> for some of the best benefit programs in Ohio.</p>
<p>Just really be careful if you have to use loans outside of the federal programs - read all the fine print and know what the terms are - if you are going to grad school (any professional degree program) you can use a new loan program GradPlus - this is just like the parent PLUS loan only it is for professional degree students and it prevents you from having to use a private loan program - much better alternative.</p>