<p>I will need to take out 15K in student loans freshman year. Does Dartmouth financial aid recommend a good lender w/ the best rates and terms? When should I begin looking into this?</p>
<p>Well Dartmouth is need-blind for US citizens. So if you are one why do you have to worry about loans? ;)</p>
<p>Need-blind doesn't mean grants. Many Dartmouth students take out loans -- usually Stafford loans. You should contact the Financial Aid office for more information.</p>
<p>what I meant was Dartmouth would take care of providing loans or am I missing something?</p>
<p>Loans are considered financial aid and is part of your aid packaging.</p>
<p>galwain626 </p>
<p>Sallie mae is one of the biggest student loan lenders.</p>
<p>Aj, keep in mind that international students are not eligible for federal loans (stafford, perkins) and will hard time getting funding in the U.S. (which is why for international students your ability to pay is considered for admissions).</p>
<p>Your loan estimates sound very high. Dartmouth would not have a $15000 loan component in their financial aid package. They don't even have students use the full subsidized Stafford amounts. How did you come up with the $15000 number?</p>
<p>MD, you are right, Dartmouth would never give the student that big of a loan as 3500 is the maximum stafford loan for freshmen. </p>
<p>Sounds like G may have to borrow money to make up the EFC/student contribution, etc.</p>
<p>Right. I am looking outside Dartmouth for loans - using the financial aid guide they sent me. I was wondering who had the lowest fees and lowest rates as the suggested loan plans show a range of rates, or say as low as... or fees from 0%-4% or 0%-10%. I was hoping someone already looked into this and found an ideal lender with very low fees and a best interest rate. So far, from what I can tell - is the lowest loan is a Federal Plus - for my parents - but payments aren't deferred but begin immediately after disbursement.</p>