If your savings, grants, and scholarships still fall short of what you need to pay for college, you and your family should consider these college loan options:

Federal Loans
Federal loans are the largest source of student loans. You and your family can get these loans through the Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP).

These loans have more favorable terms than private loans. So, get all the federal loans you can before looking into private loans.

Private Loans
Private loans are designed to supplement federal loan programs. You can get these from your school or from private financial institutions.

Depending on the lender, private loan terms can vary considerably based on your credit history.

Learn more about Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan^®.