Key Takeaways:
Before accepting all of the loans offered to you in your financial aid package, it’s important for you to understand the differences between the varieties of loans being offered to you.
Two of the most common federal student loan types currently offered to students are Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans, also known as subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
Though they may sound similar, there is one key difference: Federally subsidized student loans do not accrue interest while you are in school, during your six-month grace period, or when you place your loans into deferment. (Or, more precisely, they accrue interest just like unsubsidized loans, but the government covers the interest so you don’t have to.)
This difference alone means that subsidized student loans can cost students thousands of dollars less in interest payments over the life of the loan compared to unsubsidized student loans.
Subsidized loan definition & info for students
The federal government offers subsidized loans based on the student’s financial need when applying for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The key components of a subsidized student loan (and the biggest benefits) are:
When the grace period ends, though, you are required to make monthly payments of principal and interest. Unfortunately, subsidized loans are only available to undergraduate students. You can also take advantage of this benefit if you choose to defer your student loans, however, if you wish to put your loans in forbearance interest will still accrue on a subsidized loan.
Unsubsidized student loans, on the other hand, begin accruing interest from the date of your first loan disbursement, though you’re not required to pay that interest until you finish school. When you graduate, the amount of money that accrued during your education is simply added to the principal loan amount and you begin paying off that new amount.
One benefit to taking out a federal unsubsidized loan is that you are not required to demonstrate financial need so the amount you can take out is much higher than a subsidized student loan. Additionally, unsubsidized federal student loans are available for both undergraduate and graduate students.
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Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans: which is for you?
Federal subsidized and unsubsidized direct federal loans for undergraduates carry the same low, fixed interest rate, so it is generally a good idea to take out a subsidized loan before taking on additional debt with an unsubsidized loan.
If you are planning on going back to school, subsidized loans can help save a lot of money in deferment since interest will not accrue.
Private loans
If you do not have a choice because of your lack of financial need or because you are attending graduate school, your next option is to choose between a federal unsubsidized loan, a federal PLUS loan, or a private student loan.
Rates on all newly-issued federal loans are set to increase on July 1, 2017. Borrowers who are only eligible for federal PLUS loans or unsubsidized direct loans for graduate students may qualify for better rates from private lenders — particularly if they have a cosigner. Many private lenders now offer loans that are competitive with federal PLUS loans, which carry a 4.272 percent up-front disbursement fee that’s not charged by private lenders.
We’ve compiled our most trusted lending partners in the table below. Private loans could make sense for you – and with Credible you can cover 100% of your school-certified costs and finance almost any degree with one simple process. Compare rates from our vetted lenders and pick the option that fits you best:
| Lender | Rates from (APR) | Loan Term (years) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Citizens Bank - | Fixed: 5.25%+¹ Variable: 4.04%+¹ | 5, 10, 15¹ | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans • Fixed and variable interest rates Loan amounts • $1,000 up to $170,000 Eligibility • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution • International students can apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer |
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 College Ave - | Fixed: 5.29%+ Variable: 3.69%+ | 8, 10, 12, 15 | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate and graduate loans • Fixed and variable interest rates Loan amounts • $2,000 up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance Eligibility • Available to all US residents that attended an eligible undergraduate or graduate school • Students with little or no credit history will benefit from having a creditworthy co-signer |
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your credit score. 100% free! |
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 Discover - | Fixed: 5.99%+ Variable: 3.99%+ | 15, 20 | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate and graduate loans • Fixed and variable rates Loan amounts • Up to 100% of your school-certified tuition, housing, books and more, up to aggregate loan limits Eligibility • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution • Must be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school More details about Discover student loans |
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EDvestinU - | Fixed: 4.50%+ Variable: 4.11%+ | 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate and graduate loans • Fixed and variable rates Loan amounts • Minimum loan amount of $1,000 and maximum aggregate of $200,000 Eligibility • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Student must be admitted to or enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution when applying • Borrower must have an annual income of at least $30,000 or cosigner More details about EDvestinU student loans |
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 iHelp - | Variable: 4.63%+ | 20 | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate and graduate loans • Variable rates only Loan amounts • Undergraduates: $1,000 ($3,000 for Georgia residents) up to $100,000 • Graduates: $1,000 ($3,000 for Georgia residents) up to $150,000 Eligibility • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Borrower or cosigner must have at least 3 years of positive credit history and annual income of $18,000 or greater • Must be enrolled at least half time in an iHELP eligible school |
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 INvested - | Fixed: 6.42%+ Variable: 3.47%+ | 5, 10, 15 | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate and graduate loans • Fixed and variable rates Loan amounts • $1,001 up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance Eligibility • Only available to all Indiana residents and available to all US residents attending an eligible Indiana school • vailable to all Indiana residents and available to all US residents attending an eligible Indiana school |
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 Raise - | Variable: 5.84%+ | 5, 7, 10 | Get Rates |
Loan products • Undergraduate and graduate loans • Variable rates only Eligibility • The raise^ private student loan program is available only to students with a permanent residence in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington or West Virginia and cosigners in any state except Wisconsin • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Must be earning income (or apply with a cosigner who is) • Available to students enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution |
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 Sallie Mae - | Fixed: 5.74%+2 Variable: 4.12%+2 | 5-152 | Get Rates |
All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available | 1Citizens Bank Disclosures| raise^ Repayment Examples | 2Sallie Mae Disclosures |
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Learn more
Here are some articles with more detailed information on taking out and repaying federal direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, and private student loans.
Student Loan Rate Disclosure
Variable rate, based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") published in The Wall Street Journal on the twenty-fifth day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month. As of September 1, 2018, the one-month LIBOR rate is 2.07%. Variable interest rates range from 4.04%-12.01% (4.04%-11.91% APR) and will fluctuate over the term of the loan with changes in the LIBOR rate, and will vary based on applicable terms, level of degree earned and presence of a cosigner. Fixed interest rates range from 5.25%-12.19% (5.25% - 12.09% APR) based on applicable terms, level of degree earned and presence of a cosigner. Lowest rates shown requires application with a cosigner, are for eligible applicants, require a 5-year repayment term, borrower making scheduled payments while in school and include our Loyalty and Automatic Payment discounts of 0.25 percentage points each, as outlined in the Loyalty Discount and Automatic Payment Discount disclosures. Subject to additional terms and conditions, and rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Such changes will only apply to applications taken after the effective date of change. Please note: Due to federal regulations, Citizens Bank is required to provide every potential borrower with disclosure information before they apply for a private student loan. The borrower will be presented with an Application Disclosure and an Approval Disclosure within the application process before they accept the terms and conditions of the loan.
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