Students from almost all sections of the society can avail this loan from lenders or banks that are willing to help students. Student loans usually are given at low interests, as the motive is somewhat noble. Many student loan providers offer low cost government and private loans with high quality servicing and flexible repayment terms . Most of the students do not take student loan to finance their whole period of study, but take whatever amount is required and they feel they would be able to practically payback.

There are primarily four sources of getting student loans:

1. Government Student Loans – They are the issued by the Department of Education. They are granted directly to the students who must repay them with interest when they are through with their studies. They act as an option to scholarships, grants, or personal savings. They usually have a lesser interest rates. The amount of money one can borrow is decided by the lender here.

2. Parent Loans – They are issued to the parents of dependent students. So the parent has to pay the loan back with interest on the completion of his child's study.

3. Private Student Loans – They are issued by private institutions like banks, lenders, etc. They are also known as ‘Alternative Loans'. Like other student loans they also finance the studies of the student by granting a loan, which is to be paid at the completion of the student's studies. However, loan seekers can expect a higher rate of interest in private student loans as compared to government student loans.

4. Other Loans - There are other sources to take loan from. For example, one may take a home equity loan, which offers tax benefits.

Over 70% of students today receive financial aid through student loans and other sources to help themselves to complete their studies. Student loans have unsurprisingly become the most popular method of financing one's studies.