Federal Direct Loans
Subsidized and unsubsidized loans are federal student loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. The U.S. Department of Education offers eligible students at participating schools Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. (Some people refer to these loans as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans.)
FAFSA on the Web
The FAFSA is the application for the Federal Direct Loan. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid electronically.
Parent PLUS Loan
The Parent PLUS Loan is a Federal loan a parent takes on behalf of a dependent undergraduate student. For more information about the Parent PLUS Loan or to apply, go to https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/parent/landing.
Grad PLUS Loan
The Grad PLUS Loan is a Federal loan a Graduate student can take. For more information about the Grad PLUS Loan or to apply, go to https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing.
Federal Student Loans
If you are one of the many students that utilize federal student loans to finance their educational expenses, you likely have questions about your loans. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Who is my loan servicer?
To find out who your federal student loan servicer is, visit your account dashboard at www.studentaid.gov and scroll down to the "My Loan Servicers" section or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800.433.3243.
How much do I owe?
You can access your federal student loan information - including your loan amounts, outstanding balances, loan statuses, disbursements and servicer information - by logging in to your account at www.studentaid.gov. You can also contact your servicer directly with questions regarding your federal student loans.
What is the interest rate?
The interest rate varies depending on the loan type and the first disbursement of the loan. For more information regarding federal student loan interest rates, go to https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates.
When do I need to make payments?
For most federal student loan types, after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a six-month grace period before you begin making payments. Not all federal student loans have a grace period. Note that for most loans, interest accrues during your grace period.
How to make a payment?
Contact your federal student loan servicer. If you don't know who your federal student loan servicer is, call 800.433.3243.
Private Loan Information
FASTChoice helps you request the loan you determine is right for you by providing detailed information for various loans, as well as the terms and benefits offered by different lenders.