Alternative to Grad PLUS loans Forum

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priv_ryan

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Alternative to Grad PLUS loans

Post by priv_ryan » Sun Dec 31, 2017 12:08 pm

Hi everyone - we are a team of grads from top law schools building an organization called LearnFund (https://www.learnfund.org/), which aims to help families afford higher ed via alternatives to Grad PLUS and Private loans that may offer better terms and more flexibility.

This is NOT a post to advertise our social venture. Rather, I'd love any feedback on whether our concept resonates. Given how quickly the economy can change, we were scared to take out loans in law school, despite going to top schools. We are aiming to solve this problem. For those of you taking out Grad Plus or private loans, how do you feel about them? Are you concerned about taking out too much debt for law school?

Any feedback on Grad PLUS // private loans or on this initiative would be much appreciated!

Nebby

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Re: Alternative to Grad PLUS loans

Post by Nebby » Sun Dec 31, 2017 12:24 pm

How would these differ from private loans?

priv_ryan

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Re: Alternative to Grad PLUS loans

Post by priv_ryan » Sun Dec 31, 2017 1:32 pm

These differ from private loans in a few ways:
- there are no interest rates, payments or accrued interest during school
- the repayments are based on your income, not fixed
- there is no obligation to pay a certain principal + interest back if god forbid you can't afford it
- you get free career & salary counseling

Does any of that resonate with you?

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UVA2B

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Re: Alternative to Grad PLUS loans

Post by UVA2B » Sun Dec 31, 2017 1:49 pm

Is there a cap at which payments aren’t tied to income? For instance, if the person exceeds a set income level that would cause their payments to exceed the principal on the loan, could it be capped?

priv_ryan

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Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:41 am

Re: Alternative to Grad PLUS loans

Post by priv_ryan » Sun Dec 31, 2017 2:08 pm

Yes, payments would be capped at 2.25x principal maximum (just like any other financing service, we would need a cap that's higher than the principal offered). This means that you'll never pay more than a certain amount even if you make your millions soon after graduating.

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