When there is no sufficient money on hand to meet the educational expenses during a college degree, there is the option of considering the federal or government students loan. Every college or university is not eligible to avail of federal student loans except for those that are part of the federal aid programs monitored by the federal government.

To qualify for a federal student loan, the student has to be enrolled at least half time in college. The unsubsidized federal loans are in fact, regular student loans issued by a private vendor who finds it appealing because it is guaranteed by the government and involves low risk, lest the borrower repays.

Again, due to this factor, the federal student loans have a slightly lower interest rate. Another attractive feature is that the repayment along with the interest can be paid after completing the graduation. If it is paid while at still in school or college, the final payment on the loan will naturally get reduced.

To avail of students loan a free application form for federal student aid has to be filled up. Along with this from, an income tax return information has to be submitted. The loans will be granted based on the academic performance of the students.

There are many federal loans that are offered to the students namely, Stafford loans which are of two types, federal family education loans and direct loans. The first type is made by banks and private lending institutions. Direct loans enable students to borrow funds directly from the U.S department of Education, which is again classified into direct Stafford loans, direct plus loans and direct consolation loans.

In all the types of Stafford loans, the students should necessary enroll themselves as at least half time in college. Federal Perkins loan is based on financial needs of the student loans and the loan is offered at a fixed interest rate of five percent and does not compel a Stafford o be enrolled half time in college.

Apart from the loans, there are many grants and scholarships available that are offered by the Department of Education of the U.S. The federal student loans are offered either as subsidized or unsubsidized student loans. Subsidized loans help a student to repay the loan along with the interest after they start repaying on accomplishing a career, whereas the unsubsidized loans require that the student has to pay the interest while still in school or college.

The other prerequisites for a federal student loan are that the student must be a U.S citizen with a social security number and must not have defaulted on pervious government student loans. Federal student loans are handled by a financial institution called Sallie Mea. Generally, federal student loans have fixed interest rates and low interest and students have the option of utilizing any one of the programs to complete their college degree.

By: Adam Boulton

Direct student loans are federal government loans provided through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. These types of loans are designed to help students who have graduated from the high school and are continuing their education in colleges, universities or trade schools.

Direct student loans are part of the federal student aid programs administered by the US Department of Education. These loans are not offered through private lenders or companies. The loan agreement is between the student and the US Department of Education, without any agencies as a middle man.

Students that want to apply for direct student loans must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) over the internet and submit all required information and documentation. In addition each student will also have to complete a Master Promissory Note (or MPN). MPN is a legal document that explains the contract between the student and the Department of Education. It also outlines how the loan will be repaid and the specific terms and conditions of the loans.

After awarded with one of the direct student loans, you should sign up and use the Service Center. It provides you all the information of your payments and allows you to view the records on the balance you owe. If you need one, you can also obtain a counselor service from a Direct Loan Servicing site.

To be eligible for direct student loans, a student needs to attend the school that is participating in the direct loan program. Also, the student must be enrolling for at least on a part-time basis.

Types of Direct Student Loans

The two most common direct student loans are: (i) subsidized Stafford loan and (ii) unsubsidized Stafford loan. The subsidized loan has an interest subsidy and paid by the Government. Students who are awarded don’t need to worry about paying interest and hence can concentrate on his or her study in full.

Not all students will receive subsidized direct loans (Stafford loan). Only those students with very few resources and with greater financial needs are qualified for subsidized loans. Students who are dependent, or have parents that are able to help pay for their schooling are usually given the unsubsidized direct loan which doesn’t have an interest subsidy.

For graduate students who are considered independent or have families of their own to support, or no living parents to assist with educational funding can apply for PLUS loans. PLUS loans are low interest loans for graduate students and parents. These loans are under the same criteria as the Stafford loans, you’re required to complete and submit FAFSA and a MPN. Typically direct student loans have a limit on the total amount. Most students manage to get by with loans of $8,000.

Direct student loans have a fixed interest rate that is set every July 1st. There is also a loan fee that can be up to 4%. This fee is usually used to offset the cost of the programs or services.

By: Yvonne Suzannah