Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Everything You Need to Know About Borrowing Money for College

photo

SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) College-related costs are at an all-time high, and while many parents harbor concerns about the expense, they value the education their child is receiving.

That’s according to the April 2024 College Ave survey. The survey found that while 89% of parents of four-year college students believe a college degree is important for their child’s future, 78% agree that paying for college is stressful.

“Families today are relying on a mix of sources to fund college, including scholarships, federal aid and grants, income and savings, and in some cases, private student loans,” says Angela Colatriano, chief marketing officer, College Ave.

According to Colatriano, it’s critical to understand the ins and outs of borrowing for college before taking out a loan. If you believe your family will take this path, here’s everything you need to know:

1. Exhaust other options. Many experts agree that private loans only make sense once other financial aid options are exhausted. After filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you’ll receive a financial aid package from each school, which may include scholarships, grants and federal student loans. If your selected school is one of the 400 institutions that requires the CSS profile, submit that application, too to qualify for institutional aid. And of course, don’t forget to apply to private scholarships to access funds that don’t need to be repaid.

2. Do the math. Federal student loans in the student’s name offer unique benefits, so if you do need to borrow, start there. If you decide that a private student loan or private parent loan is also right for your family, borrow only the minimum amount needed to save over the life of the loan. This is a good time to explore additional avenues for reducing your financing needs, such as renting textbooks, and buying groceries versus paying into the school meal plan.

3. Understand loan costs. Unlike federal loans, which have fixed interest rates for all borrowers, private student loans offer a choice of fixed or variable interest rates. Shop around for a lender that doesn’t charge origination fees, and learn the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Use CollegeAve.com’s student loan calculator to get a sense of the overall cost of a given loan and its monthly loan payments.

4. Compare lender repayment options. Another factor to consider when shopping for a lender is repayment terms. Some lenders, like College Ave, let borrowers choose how long they want to repay their loan, and whether to start making payments immediately or defer until after graduation. The important thing is to select a loan with budget-friendly terms and a monthly payment you can live with.

5. Apply with a cosigner. Private student loan lenders look at income and credit history to determine a student’s ability to repay the loan. If approved, their credit history also impacts the interest rate they’re offered. Many college students don’t have an established credit history or sufficient income and may not get approved for a private loan on their own. Your student can improve their chances of getting approved and securing a lower interest rate by adding a cosigner to their loan application. The cosigner should understand that they share equal responsibility for repayment if the student falls behind on payments.

Bottom line? Researching financial aid options, applying for scholarships and being a strategic borrower can help your family get on with what matters most: preparing for a bright future.

Photo Credit: (c) monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.