How To Get A Subsidized Loan

Direct Subsidized Loans

Summary: Direct Subsidized Loans (sometimes called Subsidized Stafford Loans) are federal student loans borrowed through the Direct Loans program that offer undergraduate students a low, fixed interest rate and flexible repayment terms. Demonstrated financial need is required to qualify, and the federal government pays the interest when you are in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during periods of authorized deferment.

Direct Subsidized Loans (sometimes called Subsidized Stafford Loans) are low-cost, fixed-rate federal student loans available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.

Since the federal government pays the interest while you are in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during periods of authorized deferment,Direct Subsidized Loans are the least expensive federal student loans available.

Key benefits:

Fixed interest rate of 3.73% for the 2021-2022 academic year
Eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need, as determined by the FAFSA
The federal government pays the interest when you are in school at least half-time, during the grace period, and during periods of authorized deferment.
No payments while you are enrolled in school at least half time
Multiple repayment plans (including income-based) available

How to Apply for a Direct Subsidized Loan (aka Subsidized Stafford Loan)

You need to file theFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) before you can take out federal student loans from the Direct Loans program.

Complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA (for returning students) at StudentAid.gov.
Receive a financial aid award letter by mail or email from your school's financial aid office. This letter will summarize your available financial aid, including Direct Subsidized Loans (if eligible).
Contact your school's financial aid office to accept the financial aid and including student loans.
Sign any associated paperwork such as the Master Promissory Note (MPN).

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Direct Subsidized Loan Eligibility

Only undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need are eligible to take out Direct Subsidized Loans. Graduate and professional school students are currently ineligible for Direct Subsidized Loans. (Prior to July 1, 2012, graduate-level students were eligible for up to $8,500 a year in Direct Subsidized Loans.)

Required:

Undergraduate student
Have demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA
U.S. citizen, national, or eligible non-citizen
Have received a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g., GED)
Enrolled at least half time in an eligible degree or certificate program
Not in default on any existing federal student loans
Meet general eligibility requirements for federal student aid

Not Required:

Credit check
Cosigner
Separate loan application

student loan interest rates for May 2020

Interest Rates and Fees for Direct Subsidized Loans

The interest rates on Direct Subsidized Loans are fixed and do not change over the life of the loan.

The current fee on Direct Subsidized Loans is 1.057% for loans borrowed through Sept. 30, 2022. Fees are deducted from each loan disbursement. You can ask the college financial aid office to increase the loan amount to cover the fees, up to the annual loan limit.

Sallie Mae student loans offer competitive fixed and variable rates for undergraduates, graduate students and parents. Learn More About Sallie Mae

When Does the Federal Government Pay the Interest On Direct Subsidized Loans?

While you are enrolled in school at least half-time
During the 6-month grace period after you leave school
During periods of authorized deferment

The federal governmentdoes not pay the interest during periods of forbearance.

Loan Limits: How Much You Can Borrow

Annual and aggregate (cumulative) loan limits on the Direct Subsidized Loan are the same for dependent and independent students.

Borrowing Limits — Direct Subsidized Loans

Direct Stafford Loan Limits Dependent Student Annual Loan Limits

Direct Stafford Loan Limits Independent Student Annual Loan Limits

Can I get more Direct Subsidized Loan funds?

Direct Subsidized Loans have annual and aggregate limits that cannot be increased. However, if you receivedless than the maximum Subsidized Loan award for your academic leveland your financial situation has changed significantly since you filed your FAFSA, you should talk to the financial aid administrator at your school to find out if the subsidized loan award can be increased.

How Direct Subsidized Loan Funds are Distributed

If you are a first-time Direct Loans borrower, you will be required to attend entrance counseling before your loan funds are sent (disbursed) to your school. Some schools require in-person counseling, but many offer online counseling. You will learn about the loan terms, conditions, and requirements during the counseling session.

You will also be required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before the loans can be disbursed.

The Direct Loan program sends the funds to your school to be credited to your student account. In most cases, the loan will be sent (disbursed) in at least two installments.

Special reminder: There is typically a 30-day delay in disbursing student loans to first-time, first-year borrowers.

Loan funds are credited to your account in this order:

Tuition and fees
Room and board (if you are living in college-owned student housing)
Other school charges (with your permission)

If any loan funds remain in your account, the credit balance will be refunded to you by check, cash, debit card, or electronic funds transfer (EFT) to your bank account. Remember, the refund must be used to pay for your direct and indirect education expenses, such as textbooks, supplies, and equipment.

In-School Deferment and Grace Period

While you are enrolled in school at least half-time, your Direct Subsidized Loans will be placed into deferment, which means you don't have to make any payments. In addition, you don't have to make payments during the 6-month grace period after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment status.

The federal government pays the interest on your loans during these periods of authorized deferment.

Direct Loan Repayment

The standard repayment term on Direct Loans is 10 years. However, you can qualify for a longer repayment term if you consolidate the loans or have more than $30,000 in federal student loans.

Direct Subsidized Loans are eligible for all of the different repayment plans offered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Eligible repayment plans:

Standard Repayment
Extended Repayment
Graduated Repayment
Revised Pay-As-You-Earn (REPAYE) Repayment
Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) Repayment
Income-Based Repayment (IBR)
Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)
Income-Sensitive Repayment (ISR)

Recommendations

File the FAFSA every year to maintain eligibility for student aid.
Apply for grants and scholarships.
Borrow Direct Subsidized Loans (if eligible) first. Then, take out Direct Unsubsidized Loans. If you have borrowed the maximum in Direct Loans and still can't pay all of your costs, consider other funding options like private student loans.

Learn More About Federal Student Loans

Unsubsidized Student Loans

Undergraduate Student Loans

Interest Rates

Loan Limits

Filing the FAFSA

FAFSA Deadlines

Financial Aid for Graduate School

Health Professions Student Loans