<p>I also posted this on the financial aid board.</p>
<p>" The Associated Press collected advice from published resources and some independent experts on borrowing for college.</p>
<p>In question-and-answer form, this is their advice.</p>
<p>Question: Where should I look for a loan first?</p>
<p>Answer: That one’s easy: Uncle Sam.</p>
<p>The federal government helps students borrow in several ways: through direct loans, by subsidizing interest payments, and by encouraging private lenders to lend to students. Which of these programs you qualify for depends on your school and level of need.</p>
<p>In virtually all cases, government loans are a better deal than private loans, so max them out before borrowing elsewhere.</p>
<p>Q: How do I get started?</p>
<p>A: Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form at the Department of Education Web site. It’s kind of a pain, but it’s worth it. If you plan to attend next fall and haven’t yet filled out the FAFSA, you may have missed some deadlines for state aid or aid from your college. But it’s not too late to get federal aid. If you’re planning for college further down the line, the Education Department’s Web site has a new FAFSA calculator that will estimate what kind of federal aid you’re eligible for…" <a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/05/13/student.loans.q.a.ap/index.html[/url]”>http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/05/13/student.loans.q.a.ap/index.html</a></p>