<p>I am beginning a masters program this fall, and my financial aid package, when it was provided to me by the school, consisted of subsidized and unsubsidized stafford loans, and mainly the Grad PLUS loan to cover full cost of attendance (~$60k/yr). I’m considering taking out a Home Equity Line of Credit because the rate right now is 4% as opposed to the abysmal 7.9% plus 2.5 points of the Grad PLUS loan. I have to close on the HELOC while I still have a job (I’ll be a full-time student), i.e. now. But I am only just beginning to apply for my other loans. If I take out the HELOC now, will it affect my ability to borrow Stafford and/or Grad PLUS money? And if so, will how it affects my ability to borrow depend on the entire line, or only the amount I am actually disbursed? Thanks!</p>
<p>No, not that I could see.</p>