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Federal Student Loan Comparison Chart

 

 

Subsidized

Stafford Loan

Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan

Parent PLUS and GradPLUS Loans

Borrower

Dependent or independent students

Dependent or independent students

Parents of dependent undergraduate students and graduate or professional students borrowing for themselves

Interest Rates

On or after July 1, 2006, but prior to July 1, 2008, 6.8% fixed rate

 

On or after July 1, 2008, 6.0% fixed rate for undergraduate students, and 6.8% fixed rate for all other students

On or after July 1, 2006, 6.8% fixed rate

On or after July 1, 2006, 8.5% fixed rate

Origination Fee For loans first disbursed prior to July 1, 2008, a 1.5% origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement

For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, a 1.0% origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement

For loans first disbursed prior to July 1, 2008, a 1.5% origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement

For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, a 1.0% origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement

 

A 3.0% origination fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement
Default Fee Unless paid by the guarantor, a 1.0% default fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement Unless paid by the guarantor, a 1.0% default fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement Unless paid by the guarantor, a 1.0% default fee is deducted from the loan proceeds upon disbursement

Eligibility

Based on financial need

No income restrictions

No income restrictions

Annual Loan Limits

For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008:

 

Year 1: $3,500

Year 2: $4,500

Years 3-5: $5,500

 

 

 

 

Graduate or professional students - $8,500

 

 

 

For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008:

 

Dependent students: same limits as subsidized Stafford plus these additional amounts up to the cost of education -

Years 1-5: $2,000

 

Independent students and dependent students whose parents cannot borrow a PLUS loan: same limits as subsidized Stafford plus these additional amounts up to the cost of education -

Years 1-2: $6,000

Years 3-5: $7,000

 

Graduate or professional students: same limits as subsidized Stafford plus $12,000 (up to the cost of education)

Cost of education less any other financial aid awarded

Aggregate Loan Limits Undergraduate dependent students: $23,000



Undergraduate independent students:
$23,000



Graduate or professional students:
$65,500

Undergraduate dependent students: $31,000 (no more than $23,000 can be subsidized)

Undergraduate independent students: $57,500 (no more than $23,000 can be subsidized)

Graduate or professional students: $138,500 (no more than $65,500 can be subsidized)

No limit; eligible borrowers can borrow up to the cost of education.

In-School Interest

Paid by federal government

Paid by the borrower*

Paid by the borrower*

Grace Period

Interest paid by federal government during the six-month grace period

Interest paid by borrower during the six-month grace period

No grace period; the parent borrower may request to postpone repayment until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.  Graduate and professional students may defer payments while enrolled and request forbearance for six months after they cease to be enrolled at least half time.

Repayment Terms

Repayment begins after the grace period.

The minimum monthly payment is $50.

The maximum repayment term is 10 to 25 years and is based on the total loan balance.

Repayment begins after the grace period.

The minimum monthly payment is $50.

The maximum repayment term is 10 to 25 years and is based on the total loan balance.

The first payment is due within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed, unless repayment has been postponed or deferred.

The minimum monthly payment is $50.

The maximum repayment term is 10 to 25 years and is based on the total loan balance.

* The borrower has the option of making interest payments while the student is in school or waiting until repayment.  Interest not paid will be capitalized (added to the principal) at the point the loan enters repayment.

 

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