<p>Loans like the Stafford Loan and Plus Loan. Do I start now, or do I do it after enrolling into a college and then do it in May/June?</p>
<p>We did our last summer - seems like it was July-ish. That's when we were directed to do it by my D's school.</p>
<p>Do you have a subsidized Stafford? My daughter did not have to apply as such. She had to fill out an online master promissory note. Not sure if unsub Staffords are the same.</p>
<p>Yes, true, we didn't actually "apply" - she signed the promissary note.</p>
<p>We got contacted to sign the promissory notes, I suppose through the uni. They will most probably let you know. I don't think you have to do anything, unless you are applying for extra loans through a private lender (god forbid :) ) or something like that.</p>
<p>I'm wondering the same thing. Our son's school has offered him an unsubsidized Stafford loan, and they have a list of preferred vendors to choose from, that don't charge a fee. Here's what it says on his financial page:
"Our records indicate you are being offered a Stafford loan for the first time at the University of Maryland. If you accept the loan, you will need to choose a lender. We have provided some suggestions of lenders who offer zero fees; however, you may choose any lender. You also will need to complete an entrance interview. You may complete this requirement by clicking on 'Entrance Interview' under the awards on this page."</p>
<p>Do we just pick one, go through the entrance interview, and that's all there is to it? We could use our own credit union, I suppose, but I don't see any advantages to doing so, and it might be more paperwork.</p>