Being a student can be stressful, especially when you are lacking independence in the form of a vehicle. Getting to and from lectures is difficult in itself but not having your own transport can be truly exasperating. This may sound like an impossible feat but it can be done if you follow some simple steps in preparation.

Finding and buying the perfect used car takes time and effort, but you will feel even less secure about it if you know you do not have the finances to make a purchase. The steps to acquiring a car loan while studying are outlined below and should provide some much-needed insight into the issue.

Have your documents ready

The first step in any car loan application process involves readying all the pertinent documents. The documents you will need to provide with the loan application are as follows.

• A South African identification book or passport, if a foreign national
• A copy of your cosigner’s identification book, if using this option
• Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill or copy of a lease (no older than three months)
• Proof of enrolment in a university or tertiary education institution
• A copy of your driver’s licence
• Proof of income, if you are earning an income, or proof of your cosigner’s income payday loans of Eastlake (no older than three months)

Once you have gathered these documents, you can submit them along with an application form to your chosen bank or financial institution.

Calculate how much you can afford

Calculating how much you can truly afford to spend on a monthly basis is one of the most important steps in the process of applying for a car loan. Many websites provide a loan calculator, which you can use to calculate how much you can truly afford.

Using an online calculator or drawing up a budget will give you a visual representation of what your monthly expenses will look like. If you see that it is an expensive amount, recalculate and reconsider the car you have your heart set on in order to lower the amounts. Lees verder →