What is a federal Direct Loan? Everything you need to know

A federal Direct Loan is a type of student loan issued by the U.S. Department of Education that both undergraduates and graduates can use to cover the cost of education. Because of their low interest rates and additional benefits, these are usually the best starting point if you’re considering taking out loans for school.

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What is a federal Direct Loan?

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which issues Direct Loans, is the U.S. government’s student loan program. These federal loans are available to undergraduate students, graduate students, professional students and parents of undergraduate students. There are four types of federal Direct Loans, each with their own interest rate.

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How does a federal Direct Loan work?

To see whether you’re eligible for Direct Loan financial aid, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens on Oct. 1 every year. Once your school reviews your FAFSA, it determines which types of aid you’re eligible for based on your expected family contribution, financial need and other factors. If you’re eligible for federal Direct Loans, you’ll see the offer in your award letter.

You can choose to take some or all of the Direct Loan aid offered to you. You’ll need to complete entrance counseling, which reminds you of your responsibility upon accepting federal Direct Loans. Borrowers are also required to sign a Master Promissory Note. This outlines the details of your loan, including important information about repayment.

At this point, the Department of Education will disburse the funds directly to your school. The school will apply funds toward tuition and fees and other costs that you owe. If there are any remaining loan funds, the school will disburse it to you or your parent, if they received parent PLUS loans.

Types of Direct Loans

There are a few different Direct Loans; the type you choose depends on your financial need and academic level.

Direct Subsidized Loan

A Direct Subsidized Loan is available only to undergraduate students who’ve demonstrated financial need. It offers the biggest advantage for student borrowers, since interest is subsidized by the federal government during certain time periods. This means that the Department of Education pays for accruing interest during the following scenarios:

• When the student is enrolled at least half time in school.
• During the first six months after graduating or leaving school.
• When the loan is in deferment.

By default, Direct Subsidized Loans are placed on a Standard Repayment Plan. This plan divides your federal student loans into fixed, equal payments over a 10-year term. But you can change your repayment plan for free at any time.

Currently, the interest rate on Direct Subsidized Loans is 3.73 percent, and a small loan fee based on a percentage of your loan amount will be deducted before funds are disbursed.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

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Eligible undergraduate, graduate and professional students have access to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are like Direct Subsidized Loans, but they don’t subsidize interest.

Instead, interest accrues, and students are responsible for any interest as soon as funds are disbursed. However, while a student is enrolled at least half time in school, or in deferment or forbearance, they can choose to not make interest payments. This will cause the accrued interest to capitalize – in other words, be added to the total loan balance.

The interest rate on Direct Unsubsidized Loans is 3.73 percent for undergraduate borrowers and 5.28 percent for graduate and professional borrowers. An origination fee applies prior to loan disbursal.

Direct PLUS Loan

A Direct PLUS Loan is available to eligible graduate or professional students or eligible parents of an undergraduate student. Depending on the borrower, it’s commonly referred to as either a “grad PLUS loan” or a “parent PLUS loan.”

Direct PLUS Loans are not need-baed. They require a credit check, and you must meet the Department of Education’s borrower requirements to be approved. However, applicants who don’t have strong credit might still be awarded funding if they can provide an endorser for the loan. An endorser is similar to a co-signer, since they guarantee that they’ll repay the loan if you can’t. You might also be awarded a PLUS Loan despite poor credit history if you have proof of an extenuating circumstance that led to your adverse credit.

The interest rate on grad PLUS and parent PLUS loans is currently 6.28 percent, and an origination fee will be deducted from the total loan amount.

Direct Consolidation Loan

Borrowers who’ve taken out multiple federal student loans can simplify their repayment experience through a Direct Consolidation Loan. This type of loan combines all of your eligible outstanding federal loans into one loan, with one monthly payment and one fixed interest rate. To consolidate your loans, you’ll need to be in repayment already.

It’s free to apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan, and you have the option of extending your loan term up to 30 years. This reduces your monthly payment, but it also means that it’ll take you longer to pay off your loans, meaning you’ll pay more in interest over the total life of the loan.

There are other downsides to a Direct Consolidation Loan. Your fixed interest rate is determined based on the weighted average of all loans being consolidated, so you won’t necessarily save on interest costs using this method. Consolidation also adds any outstanding interest on your original loans to the new principal balance.

Finally, if you’re working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, taking out a Direct Consolidation Loan will erase any credit you’ve made toward the 120 payments required for forgiveness. You’ll need to start the process over again.

How to get a federal Direct Loan

Direct Loans are the best choice for many student loan borrowers. To get started, follow these steps:

1. Complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA uses tax returns, pay stubs and other official documents to determine your expected family contribution and what financial aid you qualify for.
2. Finish requirements for acceptance. Since taking out a loan requires entrance counseling, you’ll need to finish this before you receive your loans.
3. Take only what you need. Just because you could get approved for the full loan amount doesn’t mean you should take it. Only borrow what you need for school, since you’ll eventually have to pay it back with interest.
4. Sign your Master Promissory Note. Your Master Promissory Note is essentially your lender agreement; it outlines your obligations to repay the loans and the consequences should you fail to do so. You can’t get your loan without signing this.
5. Your school gets the funds. Once you’ve completed the paperwork, the Department of Education will disburse the funds directly to your school. If there’s anything left over, it’ll go to you (or your parent, if they took out the loan).

How much money can I borrow in a federal Direct Loan?

Federal Direct Loan borrowing limits vary depending on the Direct Loan type and student status.

• Dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to $31,000 total in Direct Loans, $23,000 of which may be subsidized.
• Independent undergraduate students may borrow up to $57,500 total in Direct Loans, $23,000 of which may be subsidized.
• Independent graduate or professional students may borrow up to $138,500 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans and up to the total cost of attendance with grad PLUS loans.

Final considerations

It’s best to avoid student loan debt, if possible. But as college costs continue to rise, it might be necessary to take out student loans to cover the cost of your education. If you must borrow money for school, use federal Direct Loans first. You’ll secure borrower protections, like income-driven repayment plans, loan forgiveness and extended deferment or forbearance, that private student loans don’t typically offer.

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