<p>I am new to getting and understanding loans. I need a loan for school and was wondering what company would be the best for me. Which loan companies offer the best intrest rates and offer the best repayment plans/customer assistance. I am a student and I would be the one getting the loan (not my parents). I have looked at my schools website and asked the finaid office but I haven't really gotten an answer and was hoping for some oppinions. Thanks.</p>
<p>I assume you have been offered Stafford loans? Those are the best - next to Perkins, which are few & far between. You may have to choose a lender for those, if your school is not a Direct Lender. If you need to borrow in addition to the Stafford loans, you will need to look for a private loan (another term for it is alternative loan). You can search this forum - there are plenty of posts about which FFELP Stafford lenders and which private loan lenders are good.</p>
<p>I don’t have direct experience with this, but many people have posted that they were NOT happy with customer service from Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo…but were happy with Discover. </p>
<p>Finaid.org has alot of loan info including a calculator to help you evaluate discount points and other terms:
[FinAid</a> | Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/loans/]FinAid”>Student Loans - Finaid)</p>
<p>Thank you both for the help so far. I have federal loans, but I need additional money so I will be going for a private loan. My school does list Discover as one of the loan options and it seems good from what I can tell… I read the things on this site about Wells Fargo, and have heard about SM on the news, so I will skip those. What about Chase Select Private Student Loans? Is that a good company? </p>
<p>Also, not related to the question, sk8rmom, are you an ice skater mom… just wondering because I’m an ice skater.</p>
<p>Yes, I have one figure skater and one hockey player. I haven’t heard much chatter about Chase’s loans, if your parents or relatives have experience with Chase and have been happy with them I would take that as a good sign.</p>
<p>(Yay Ice rink people! 
) I will do a bit more thinking, but I may go with discover, because I dont know about chase, but just thought I’d ask. Discover seems to get good reviews here so if I may go that route. Thanks!</p>
<p><a href=“Yay%20Ice%20rink%20people!”>quote</a>
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<p>Shhh…we don’t want everyone to know the joys of a cool rink in the middle of August! I’ve suffered through the heat and bugs of baseball season, will endure the muck and drizzles of football season, but yearn for the official start of hockey again! Even with 6 a.m. ice times I still never get tired of it and have met some of the nicest people chilling at the rink :)</p>
<p>I know exactly what you are saying… even when I’m done with my sessions in the summer I’m in no hury to leave because I know that when I leave the rink the outside temp will be way too hot.</p>