Student Financial Mistakes | Brazos Higher Education (2024)

1: Brazos Education Lending Corporation, a Texas non-profit managed by Brazos Higher Education, is the lender on all Brazos Loans.

2: Brazos Education Lending Corporation is a part of a group of several non-affiliated nonprofit companies that are all managed by Brazos Higher Education and are commonly referred to as the Brazos Managed Companies. The first of the Brazos Managed Companies was organized in 1975 in Waco, Texas, as a secondary market for student loans. Since that time, the Brazos Managed Companies have, on a combined basis, served an estimated 2 million student borrowers and have helped fund an estimated $30 billion in student loans.

3: AutoPay Discount. The interest rate in effect will be reduced by 0.25% if either the borrower or cosigner authorizes automated (ACH) payments from any bank account. The Auto-Pay Discount only applies when full principal and interest payments are automatically drafted from a bank account and does not apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment. Certain other terms and conditions apply.

4: Brazos Student Loan interest rate ranges are based upon the repayment term and options selected and the creditworthiness of the borrower or co-signer, and include the 0.25% Auto-Pay Discount. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. The lowest APR calculations assume the highest creditworthy borrower that selects the Immediate Repayment option and begins making payments after the loan is fully disbursed, with a 60 month repayment term. The highest APR calculation assumes the lowest creditworthy borrower that selects the Deferred Repayment option and makes no payment while in school for a period of 45 months (plus a 6 month grace period), with a 240 month repayment term.

Fixed Rates are set at the time the loan is made and will not change over the life of the loan. Variable Rates and corresponding APRs may increase over the life of the loan, but will never exceed 9.90%. The variable interest rate is based on an index of the 30-day Average SOFR plus a Margin. The lowest variable rate APR displayed is based on the current SOFR index of 5.35% plus a 0.25% margin, minus the Auto-Pay Discount. The Variable Rate will adjust monthly and the loan payment may increase or decrease monthly to provide for amortization over the selected term. The Variable Rate product is only available to Texas Residents.

AutoPay Discount. The interest rate in effect will be reduced by 0.25% if either the borrower or cosigner authorizes automated (ACH) payments from any bank account. The Auto-Pay Discount only applies when full principal and interest payments are automatically drafted from a bank account and does not apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment. Certain other terms and conditions apply.

5: The Brazos Parent Loan Rates are based upon the repayment term selected and the creditworthiness of the borrower or co-signer, and include the 0.25% Auto-Pay Discount. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate.

Brazos Parent Loan Fixed Rates are set at the time the loan is made and will not change over the life of the loan. Variable Rates and corresponding APRs may increase over the life of the loan, but will never exceed 9.90%. The variable interest rate is based on an index of the 30-day Average SOFR plus a Margin. The lowest variable rate APR displayed is based on the current SOFR index of 5.35% plus a 0.25% margin, minus the Auto-Pay Discount, for a 60 month (5 year) repayment term. The Variable Rate will adjust monthly and the loan payment may increase or decrease monthly to provide for amortization over the selected term.

AutoPay Discount. The interest rate in effect will be reduced by 0.25% if either the borrower or cosigner authorizes automated (ACH) payments from any bank account. The Auto-Pay Discount only applies when full principal and interest payments are automatically drafted from a bank account and does not apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment. Certain other terms and conditions apply.

6: The Brazos Student Loan Refinance Rates displayed are based upon the repayment term selected and the creditworthiness of the borrower or co-signer, and include the 0.25% Auto-Pay Discount. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. The lowest APR calculations assume the highest creditworthy borrower with a 60-month repayment term. The highest APR calculation assumes the lowest creditworthy borrower with a 240-month repayment term.

Fixed Rates are set at the time the loan is made and will not change over the life of the loan. Variable Rates and corresponding APRs may increase over the life of the loan, but will never exceed 9.90%. The variable interest rate is based on an index of the 30-day Average SOFR plus a Margin. The lowest variable rate APR displayed is based on the current SOFR index of 5.35% plus a 0.25% margin, minus the Auto-Pay Discount. The Variable Rate will adjust monthly and the loan payment may increase or decrease monthly to provide for amortization over the selected term. The Variable Rate product is only available to Texas Residents.

AutoPay Discount. The interest rate in effect will be reduced by 0.25% if either the borrower or cosigner authorizes automated (ACH) payments from any bank account. The Auto-Pay Discount only applies when full principal and interest payments are automatically drafted from a bank account and does not apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment. Certain other terms and conditions apply.

7: We encourage responsible borrowing. You should always exhaust all forms of grants, scholarships and other free financial aid before taking out a new loan. If you determine you need a loan, or wish to consolidate, carefully compare the federal loan program with any private loan program, including all benefits, forgiveness programs and other federal options. Not all private loan programs offer the same benefits as are available in the federal loan program. Do your shopping and find the loan that best fits your needs.

8: If you choose to apply for a Brazos Loan, we will request your full credit report. This credit pull may impact your credit score. The initial credit review is based on review of all of the information you and your cosigner (if applicable) provide during the application process and the information obtained from your credit report. If you pass the initial credit review, you will be required to provide acceptable documentation, such as your income verification, before final loan approval.

9: The APR, terms, calculated payments and total loan cost amounts are estimates only. The calculator assumes that the loan amount is disbursed to the school in two equal installments five (5) months apart. Capitalized interest is calculated during this five month period at the APR shown, except for the examples for the Interest Only Repayment Option. [Please note that the APR used in all calculations assumes the AutoPay Discount is applied. If you take out a loan, the AutoPay Discount will not actually be applicable until you enter full repayment and you sign up for automated payments (see Disclaimer 3 above).] This capitalized interest is added to the amount of the loan to arrive at the estimated balance of the loan when repayment begins. Estimated payments are based upon the projected balance at repayment, including capitalized interest. Calculated monthly payments and total payments are based on the information provided by you, assume that the interest rate remains constant throughout the life of the loan, and that loans will be repaid in equal monthly installments. Please note that the interest rate will not remain constant for a variable rate loan, although it is assumed to for purposes of this calculator. This resource also assumes that you will pay continuously throughout the repayment period with no breaks for deferment, forbearance or prepayments. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information or the Student Loan Calculator’s applicability to your specific circ*mstances.

Using the Student Loan Calculator does not constitute an offer to receive a loan and does not solicit a loan offer. Any rates, terms, and calculated payments will depend on the actual months for which you are approved, the repayment option you select, the actual disbursem*nt schedule of your loan, the length of any interim period prior to start of repayment, and your specific credit score, should you choose to apply.

10: When you apply for a Brazos Student Loan, the FICO score used will be the Transunion FICO Score 9, which is based on information from Transunion. When you apply for a Brazos Parent or Brazos REFI Loan, the FICO score used will be the Transunion FICO Score 9. In addition to these different FICO Score models used at Transunion, there are still other FICO score models used among and between credit reporting agencies which could result in an individual having a higher or lower credit score depending on the model utilized. FICO is a registered trademark of the Fair Issac Corporation.

11: The displayed APR includes the AutoPay Discount.
AutoPay Discount: The interest rate in effect will be reduced by 0.25% if either the borrower or cosigner authorizes automated (ACH) payments from any bank account. The Auto-Pay Discount only applies when full principal and interest payments are automatically drafted from a bank account and does not apply during periods of approved forbearance or deferment. Certain other terms and conditions apply.

12. The APR, terms, calculated payments and total loan cost amounts are estimates only. The calculator assumes that the loan amount is disbursed to the school in two equal installments five (5) months apart. Capitalized interest is calculated during this five month period at the APR shown. [Please note that the APR used in all calculations assumes the AutoPay Discount is applied. If you take out a loan, the AutoPay Discount will not actually be applicable until you enter full repayment and you sign up for automated payments (see Disclaimer 3 above)]. This capitalized interest is added to the amount of the loan to arrive at the estimated balance of the loan when repayment begins. Estimated payments are based upon the projected balance at repayment, including capitalized interest. Calculated monthly payments and total payments are based on the information provided by you, assume that the interest rate remains constant throughout the life of the loan, and that loans will be repaid in equal monthly installments. Please note that the interest rate will not remain constant for a variable rate loan, although it is assumed to for purposes of this calculator. This resource also assumes that you will pay continuously throughout the repayment period with no breaks for deferment, forbearance or prepayments. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information or the Parent Loan Calculator’s applicability to your specific circ*mstances.

Using the Parent Loan Calculator does not constitute an offer to receive a loan and does not solicit a loan offer. Any rates, terms, and calculated payments will depend on the actual months for which you are approved, the repayment option you select, the actual disbursem*nt schedule of your loan, the length of any interim period prior to start of repayment, and your specific credit score, should you choose to apply.

13. Direct PLUS interest rate is the interest rate for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 and on or before June 30, 2025. The rate assumes a 0.25% interest rate reduction for borrowers that authorize automated payments from a bank account. The calculator also assumes a 4.228% origination fee for Direct Plus loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2022 and before October 1, 2023. These amounts may vary depending upon when the first disbursem*nt of your loan occurred or will occur. Direct PLUS interest rates and fees are subject to change by the Federal Government. Always visit www.studentaid.gov for the most current information about federal loan programs.

14: The Brazos Refinance Loan APRs, terms, calculated payments, total interest, and total savings amounts are estimates only. Calculated monthly payments and total payments based on information provided by you and assume that the interest rates remains constant throughout the life of the loans and that the loans will be repaid in equal monthly installments. Total remaining interest on your loan is an estimate of the amount of interest you will pay in the future on your existing loan, and excludes previous interest payments. This resource also assumes that you will pay continuously throughout the repayment period with no breaks for forbearance or prepayments. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information or the Refinance Calculator resources' applicability to your circ*mstances.

The interest rate for your loan may be based, in part, on whether you have a creditworthy cosigner. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may help you qualify and/or receive a lower interest rate. Your interest rate may be higher without a creditworthy cosigner.

15: Source of all statistics in this paragraph: Education Data Initiative, data as of August 20, 2023. Here is a link to the article

16: Savings that may be achieved are dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the following: loan amount, repayment term, repayment option, and interest rate.

If you have federal student loans that you are looking to refinance or consolidate, do your homework before you decide on a federal consolidation loan or refinancing with a private lender. If you consolidate your existing federal loan into a private refinance loan, you may lose valuable benefits, such as income driven repayment plans and potential loan forgiveness options that may be valuable to you in the long run.

Student Financial Mistakes | Brazos Higher Education (2024)

FAQs

What are common mistakes college students make with finances? ›

Not Taking Advantage of Various Financial Aid Options

Many students take out far more loans than they have to because they search for other options. Instead of taking the time to research and apply for scholarships, they take the easy route and apply for easy student loans.

What are the financial problems with higher education? ›

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, dozens of colleges and universities around the nation started the 2019-2020 academic year under some level of financial stress. These institutions had already spent the prior decade struggling with declining enrollments and weakening support from state governments.

Why overspending is a common mistake among college students? ›

Overspending is one of the most common money mistakes that students make. It's easy to fall into the trap of spending more than you can afford, especially when there are so many temptations around. But overspending can have serious consequences, such as debt and financial instability.

What are the financial challenges of college students? ›

Over Half of Americans Believe Tuition Is the Biggest Financial Barrier to College. The financial challenges posed by the rising cost of tuition (54%), student debt (48%), and living expenses (30%) top the list of main reasons Americans believe people are choosing not to pursue a college degree.

What are the top 5 mistakes some students make when choosing a college to attend? ›

Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing a College
  • Rushing the process.
  • Being a follower.
  • The legacy lure.
  • Rebellion.
  • You're a die-hard fan.
  • The temptation to party.
  • How a student body looks.
  • Assuming the worst.
Apr 5, 2024

What is the biggest problem in higher education? ›

Book a demo
  1. 1 - Enrollment Management and student retention.
  2. 2 - Students have higher standards.
  3. 3 - More competition.
  4. 4 - Focus shifting from degrees to 'experiences'
  5. 5 - Embracing technology and digital transformation.
  6. 6 - Building relationships with students.
  7. 7 - Decreased public funding.
  8. 8 - Rising costs of education.
Aug 7, 2024

What is the biggest barrier to higher education? ›

Report: The Biggest Barriers to Higher Ed Enrollment Are Cost and Lack of Financial Aid. U.S. adults who either stopped out, or never enrolled in a postsecondary education program, collectively cited the biggest barrier to accessing a degree or credential is the cost of college.

What are the challenges of the higher education budget? ›

Key Takeaways. California's higher education systems are finally starting to see a return to pre-pandemic enrollment growth levels. But the number of college-age students is projected to plateau and then decline in the coming years. And the state is currently facing a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar budget deficit.

What is the biggest financial mistake? ›

Over-relying on credit cards and financing depreciating assets can worsen financial woes.
  1. Unnecessary Spending. ...
  2. Never-Ending Payments. ...
  3. Living Large on Credit Cards. ...
  4. Buying a New Vehicle. ...
  5. Spending Too Much on Your Home. ...
  6. Misusing Home Equity. ...
  7. Not Saving. ...
  8. Not Investing in Retirement.

What is a big mistake students make while studying? ›

One of the biggest mistakes we see students make is that they'll often sit down and start “studying” without really knowing what their priorities are, what they need to focus on in that study session, or which study strategies they're going to use to master the material.

Why are most college students in debt? ›

Many students borrow to fund a portion of their college expenses. Each year, 30 to 40 percent of all undergraduate students take federal student loans; 70 percent of students who receive a bachelor's degree have education debt by the time they graduate.

What are the financial issues facing higher education? ›

U.S. colleges are facing a laundry list of challenges that affect their financial viability, from higher operating expenses and downward enrollment trends to shaky state support, shriveling endowments and a crisis in public confidence.

What are three 3 struggles commonly faced by college students? ›

5 Common College Struggles and Hacks for Success
  • Academic Overwhelm and Time Management Issues. ...
  • Emotional or Mental Health Struggles. ...
  • Financial Challenges. ...
  • Finding a New Major. ...
  • Overcoming Failure.
Jan 18, 2024

What are common budgeting pitfalls experienced by college students? ›

6 Common Money Management Mistakes College Students Make
  • Not Knowing Where Their Money is Going. Want to know a millionaire's secret? ...
  • Not Having a Plan for Their Money. ...
  • Not Determining Wants vs. ...
  • Succumbing to Peer Pressure. ...
  • Abusing Credit & Ruining Their Credit Score. ...
  • Abusing Student Loans.

What is the most common financial mistake? ›

1. Having a sloppy budget (or no budget at all) One common financial mistake is neglecting to set or maintain a realistic budget. A budget acts as your financial compass, guiding you towards achieving goals like purchasing a home, reducing debt, or even taking a much-desired trip.

What are some common mistakes students make when managing their student account and financial aid and how can these be avoided? ›

How to avoid 8 common mistakes that hurt your chances of getting federal financial aid for college
  1. Not submitting an application at all. ...
  2. Waiting until the very last minute to apply. ...
  3. Not doing the prep work. ...
  4. Not creating an FSA ID. ...
  5. Not going back to correct mistakes or make updates. ...
  6. Not using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

How do college students survive financially? ›

Sticking to a budget and opening a savings account can help you stay financially secure. If you've lost your job, consider temporary alternatives like part-time work and unemployment benefits. Campus and government resources can help students get back on their feet and maintain stability.

How to manage finances as a college student? ›

4 money management tips for college students
  1. Pay your bills on time. One financial discipline to learn early is paying your bills by the due date. ...
  2. Keep credit card balances low. Many students get their first credit card during college. ...
  3. Create a spending plan. ...
  4. Start saving. ...
  5. Find support.
Oct 10, 2023

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