If you’re still in high school, you can reach out to your high school career planning or guidance counselor office for information about both private and federal student loans.
Federal student loans
Reach out to your college’s or university’s financial aid office for information about your federal student loan options. Additionally, you can call the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Private student loans
For private student loans, you can shop around at different lenders, including banks, credit unions, or other student loan providers. A good practice is to get quotes from at least three different providers. You might first consult your local credit union or bank, if you or your family hold an account there. Your college financial aid office may also provide you with a list of possible lenders and answer your questions.