Private Student Loans - Summary of the True Cost of Borrowing
To help consumers understand the true cost of a loan, Federal law requires that lenders provide a Truth in Lending Act disclosure showing key terms of the lending arrangement and all costs. All Truth in Lending disclosures must follow a uniform format, making it easier for the consumer to compare loans.
Lenders are required to show an annual percentage rate, or APR, on the disclosure. The APR includes the rate of interest being charged and all fees collected at the time the loan is made.
While the APR may not always include all costs, it is a reasonable indicator of the cost of your loan. In Truth in Lending Act disclosures, the APR and the finance charge stand out.
For example, in the illustration below the APR is shown in the disclosure’s Federal Box, which appears near the top of the Truth in Lending Act disclosure.
