Community Question: I plan to pay our student loans in full while my student is in college. If we can get a lower interest rate through private loans, should my student still consider borrowing federal loans?

Answer: If you plan to repay the full loan while your student is still in school, your student doesn't qualify for a Subsidized federal loan (the one that doesn't accrue interest), and you can get a lower interest rate through a private lender, you may be better off using private loans in this specific case.

Be aware that if you don't pay the loans off in full while your student is enrolled, you won't have the same repayment protections that federal student loans offer.

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