Private student loans- SallieMae- advice?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello CC! A financially illiterate college freshman in dire need of help here D:</p>

<p>I am enrolled full-time in an american institution abroad - the American University of Paris. I received a grant from AUP, yet still- there remains a massive amount of $ that I need to come up with. I have been looking into private student loans and have come to the realization that my school is pretty much non-existant. The only company willing to work with me is SallieMae. Over the last month I have been researching them, and.. well.. I got the impression that this is something that I should stay away from. However, I am afraid that this is my only option as of right now.</p>

<p>Are there any other companies out there that are willing to fund international education for an American student?
Is anyone familiar with a step-by-step sort of guide on dealing with SallieMae? Any tips on securing a low and fixed interest rate? What would be the financially educated/convenient choice of repayment plan?
Is there a way to apply for a Perkins Loan if my school has no mention of it? Are there any other federal loan programs that I could apply for other than stafford loans?
Also, my parent has been rejected for a direct PLUS loan, and I've read that this makes me eligible for a larger Stafford loan- but my school capped my eligibility at $2.750- is there a way to go around this and (being straight forward here)- borrow more?</p>

<p>I think this is it for now, thank you!
I greatly appreciate any help or advice,
-Dasha</p>

2

<p>Average % of need met at AUP is 43%
Average package is $14,000.
Did your circumstances change after you enrolled?
I don’t understand why you chose this school without having finances in place.</p>

3

<p>My award package is €3,000, which is approximately 25% of the first semesters tuition.
I do not come from a wealthy family, no matter which school I go to- I would have to go in-debt. i believe that this school is right for me, and if everything works out the way I will strive for- then I won’t have difficulties repaying the loans after graduation</p>

<p>I am concerned about paying back during my enrollment</p>

4

<p>I don’t see how you can borrow 75% of your costs–unlikely a lender would do this, and even if you could make it happen, it would be an insane burden to put on yourself. You need approximately $12,000 just for the first semester–that’s $96,000 in debt over four years, assuming tuition doesn’t rise! You don’t have a realistic grasp of your situation.</p>