Student Loans for On-line Schools

[sunnyduck]

Hey can anyone tell me if they have had experience applying for Student Loans to attend an online college or university. I'm asking for my brother who wants to get a Game Design degree from an online university. My dad says he's going to have a hard time getting a Student Loan for that. Anyone out there have any in put on that?.
Thanks,
Sunnyduck

[Storyboard Dave]

Not wanting to disagree with your dad or anything here but isn't applying for a loan still a loan- regardless of whether it's for a bricks & mortar university as opposed to an online place?? The only thing that might come into play is whether the institution you plan on going to is accredited and recognized by the Feds & state government as a degree granting place. I've heard that a lot of these online universities that have no campuses can be diploma mills that offer some training but their degrees aren't worth anything but again your situation might be different.

Now if you were to apply for a student loan through non-governmental agencies I'm not sure how banks would look at places like that either. If I were the bank or lending institution, how would I know that place is even going to be around a year from now? How legit are they to a lending institution that could conceivably give you money to go there? Sure you're ultimately responsible in paying it back but would they feel comfortable loaning you cash for a lark is my point.

The first place I'd go check out about Financial Aid is the place you're applying to. If anyone knows the ins & outs of applying there and paying for it in some fashion, it'd be them.

[sunnyduck]

SD - Thanks, that was my thought, but what do I know :).
This is an online school that is part of a regular physical university, otherwise my parents would not even consider it. It's just that this school (actual building is in Arizona and my brother doesn't want to go there to school) the only other one close to us is in Florida (where he will be moving but the program isn't what he wants). This online program is just the right level for him sooooooo.....

Anyway anyone else have any other thoughts or experiences?
Thanks,
Sunnyduck

[Storyboard Dave]

No offense to your dad or anything but if it's a legitimate university, why doesn't he think your brother can get financial aid to this place then? Worst case scenario is they apply and get denied so why even rain on his parade before they make an attempt?

Again, my thoughts are to contact the college's Financial Aid office and talk to those folks. Your case here doesn't sound that out of the ordinary.

Good luck with it all and good luck to your brother too!

[glikster]

The deal is that the university needs to be accredited before you can get approved for a loan through FAFSA. S.D is right, contact the Financial Aid contact...

[sunnyduck]

Dave,
Well sometimes my dad is not that supportive where my brother is concerned. Me he totally supports (which is not fair but whatcha gonna do??) Anyway he doesn't think my brother will stick with the program and just sort of sees everything concerning him in a negative light.
But never even having applied for Financial Aid I thought maybe my dad was right & I felt bad for my big brother :)
Anyway, thanks Dave & everyone for your input you made me feel better :)
Sunnyduck

[Storyboard Dave]

Dave,
Well sometimes my dad is not that supportive where my brother is concerned. Me he totally supports (which is not fair but whatcha gonna do??) Anyway he doesn't think my brother will stick with the program and just sort of sees everything concerning him in a negative light.
But never even having applied for Financial Aid I thought maybe my dad was right & I felt bad for my big brother :)
Anyway, thanks Dave & everyone for your input you made me feel better :)
Sunnyduck

That's too bad about your dad not being supportive of your brother. Who knows? Maybe with a little encouragement and some positive feedback your brother could go forth and excel. I guess he'll have to do it on his own and without much support from his own dad.

Don't you alienate him now. He's still your bro. And while it might not be fair to you, you might end up being the sounding board or go-between for these two stubborn mules you have in the family.

Good luck with it all. Good luck with your family situation as well.