Many Maine families use a combination of savings, financial aid, and loans to afford higher education. Before you borrow, be informed of your options including borrowing less, using forgivable loan options, and knowing the differences between federal, private, and Maine student loans.

Consider Before You Borrow

Before you consider borrowing to pay for college, here are six steps to help you try to reduce the amount you need to borrow.

Getting Ready to Borrow

You’ve decided that borrowing will be part of the way you pay for higher education. This section explains what types of loans are available and what you can expect.

Student Loan Programs

Most families pay for college using a variety of sources. Borrowing is often one of the sources of funds. There are different types of student loans that you can use. This section explains more about each one.