<p>Ok so if I get an unsub. Stafford loan for the max. amount of 3500, can anyone tell me how much interest I will need to pay each year to keep it from accumulating???? Will they send me statements monthly/quarterly/yearly to let me know or hope I'll forget about it until 4 yrs. later??</p>
<p>I have been doing this for my son. I paid about 25.00 last semester and 45.00 this semester to keep it about even....I paid a little more this month by about 10.00. His loan was 2625.00 though although next year it will be more. I'm hoping for a subsidized loan though, but if not, I will try to keep doing the same thing. Sallie Mae has a feature where you can do it online, they don't send you anything because you don't have to pay it back yet. I found it easy though to keep track of it this way though and you can pay whatever you want. I don't like the bare-bones NJClass loan we got for parents, the interest rate is great, but you can't do anything online but apply. I really like the convenience of doing it this way.</p>
<p>If you request to make the interest payments while in school, the lender will send you the necessary information to make your payments. If you find that the interest payments are more than you can afford, you can always contact the lender and change your mind. Interest payments on unsubsidized loans does not have to be paid while enrolled in school.</p>
<p>Nikkiil, that is what they told me but then I never got anything from Sallie Mae. I called twice and then finally in January, was told to must go online and do it. This worker said although I read that and checked the appropriate box, she never heard of them doing it. Either way, if you can do it online, you can readily see what is owed, pay on principle or interest and keep tabs that the payments are accurate. Although your loans are "on hold" until graduation, if you ever had a little extra money you wanted to put on it, it doesn't hurt.</p>
<p>That is part of the problem with Sallie Mae....they never process loans the way they are supposed to. Sallie Mae tries to make everything happen through online processes...even when a student prefers offline. I have Sallie Mae Loans and it took me three screaming fits and two threats to turn them into the Department of Education to get them to mail me my paper vouchers.</p>
<p>I have many students who choose to pay the interest while they are in school and every one of them who uses a lender other than Sallie Mae has received vouchers for those payments. I have also spoken with many lenders at conferences and their offices and all, except Sallie Mae, agree that this is supposed to be an automatic process IF the student completes the Master Promissory Note indicating that they want to make the interest payments.</p>
<p>I agree with you and realize now I wasn't an isolated case. I was angry too, because they kept putting me off intially, saying November, then December, then the new loan period....please, I just want to pay the interest! Then it was higher by 20.00 than the quote they intially gave me. It took me a while to find the "make a payment" button on their site, (seems like they'd rather have the loan sit) but I'm glad I was able to start payments.</p>
<p>Sallie Mae's website is a bit twisted....Even as a Financial Aid Counselor with experience in Financial Aid, I had a hard time figuring out how to make my regular monthly payments...and then to find out they only take electronic check payments...really makes me wish I had been able to use someone besides Sallie Mae.</p>
<p>Debruns-
We set up a NJClass parent loan on line and then authorized direct debit monthly of required interest and principal.
I chose them because it's only 5.9% fixed I think when you allow autodebit.
They send a statement each month and you can send old fashioned paper check for additional principle payment anytime you want.
I haven't figured out if I can do this online.
But the terms are very good and I'm satisfied.</p>
<p>Musicmom, I am very satisfied with the interest rate, couldn't beat that anywhere although I didn't see the auto-debit. when I filled it out the first time..I will do that this year. I just got my bill today and don't see the option on it, but hey I don't get a return envelope either. : ) What ever keeps costs down......
I wanted to be able to pay more when I could and was told I would have to keep track of it myself (which I will) but it would of been nice to see it online the way I do my credit card bills, etc. Did you take out one yearly or consolidate at all?</p>
<p>Debruns-
I agree that tracking it online would be bettter.
The autodebit thing was a separate step (online) from the actual application.
No so easy to find it and it did take a few weeks to get confirmation in the mail of the autodebit account and amount. But worth the reduction in rate.</p>
<p>We took one loan for son's third year....plan on applying for another soon for his fourth (final?) year.</p>