Student loans can certainly be tricky, particularly if you're going back to school. You really have to wonder many times exactly how the process can be so confusing and what you can do to make it easier. Well, the process will probably remain a little murky, but here are a few consideration when you're returning to school.
Stick With Your Old Lender
Whenever possible, just stick with your old lender. It's easier. They have all your information, and it's easy to get approved. If they are offering you a bad deal, though, go shopping for a new lender. Look around until you find someone who's offering you a reasonable deal that fits your needs.
Don't Let It Change
You'll also want to make sure that you only take out loans whose lenders say that they won't change their terms later. It might cost you an extra half a percent in interest later, but this clause is worth thousands of dollars. Unless it's there, a lender can change its terms anytime for any reason.
Avoid Private Loans
Whenever possible avoid private loans. Although they may seem like a good deal, they usually get you into trouble. First of all, most of them cannot be consolidated later, so you're stuck at the same interest rate forever. Second, some of them are just sketchy. The private party may not be trustworthy, and you could find yourself in a lot of trouble.
Professional Loans
There are some loans that are focused solely on your profession. Those these make take a little research to find, they can be a gold mine. If you are having trouble finding these types of loans, talk to your career center or financial aid center, and they may be able to point you in the right direction.
Miscellaneous Government Loans and Grants
You would be amazed at the number of random government loans and grants that are available. Most people never even know about these options. Do some thorough research on government loans to see exactly what is available - you might be surprised to find a great deal that meets your needs. | 
