 TITLE: How to Pay for Grad School CONTENT: Look Into Private Student Loans\n-------------------------------\nPrivate student loans, available through banks and credit unions, are another way to pay for graduate school. Unlike federal student loans, private student loans take your creditworthiness into account, so the higher your credit score, the better chance you have of getting approved at a lower interest rate. If you're considering getting a private student loan, be sure to check your credit report and credit score to get an idea of the types of loan terms you may qualify for.\nWhile federal student loans follow standardized guidelines, every private lender sets its own rules and terms. Repayment terms, loan limits and interest rates will vary depending on your lender. The interest rates you'll pay on your loans may be fixed or variable, and some lenders may even grant you a lower interest rate than you'd get from the government. Private student loans, however, aren't eligible for forgiveness or income-driven repayment plans available for federal student loans, so be sure you fully understand the costs involved in a private student loan before you agree to borrow. END