Undergraduate and graduate or professional degree students may receive Stafford Loans. Graduate and professional degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students may receive PLUS Loans.
You must be enrolled at least Half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a degree or certificate.
Student loans are borrowed money that must be repaid, with interest, just like car loans and mortgages.
Student loans cannot be canceled because you didn’t get—or didn’t like—the education you paid for with the loans, didn’t get a job in your field of study or because you’re having financial difficulty.
Loans are legal obligations, so think about the amount you’ll have to repay before you take out a loan.
The maximum Stafford Loan amount you can borrow each Academic Year depends on your academic level in school and whether you are a dependent or independent student.
Students who demonstrate financial need are eligible for a subsidized Stafford Loan to cover some or all of that need.
For students who are eligible for a subsidized Stafford Loan, the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you’re in school at least Half-time, for the first six months after you leave school (your grace period) and during a deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans do not require a student to have financial need. The borrower is responsible for paying all interest on unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
If you need to find a participating lender, your school has a preferred-lender list. This list is only a starting place when looking for financing. Check the terms and fine print carefully.
U.S. Department of Education | Federal Student Aid
