Direct Loans

Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) rather than a bank or other financial institution.

With Direct Loans, you

Borrow directly from the federal government and have a single contact—the Direct Loan Servicing Center—for everything related to the repayment of your loans, even if you receive Direct Loans at different schools.
Have online access to your Direct Loan account information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at Direct Loans on the Web.
Can choose from several repayment plans that are designed to meet the needs of almost any borrower, and you can switch repayment plans if your needs change.

Direct Loan Interest Rates

Direct Subsidized Loans for undergraduateswith
a first disbursement date between July 1, 2008,
and June 30, 2009. Interest Rate = 6.0%
Direct Subsidized Loans for graduate students
and Direct Unsubsidized Loans for all students.
Interest Rate = 6.8%
Direct PLUS Loans: Interest Rate = 7.9%

Students interested in Direct Loans should check their school to see if it participates in the Direct Loan Program.