FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS

FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS

CATEGORY:  Education

OBJECTIVES
To provide loan capital directly from the Federal government (rather than through private lenders) to vocational, undergraduate, and graduate postsecondary school students and their parents.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Direct loans

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
To help defray costs of education at a participating school. Repayment on Federal Stafford loans begins six months after the student ceases to carry at least one-half the normal full-time academic workload. Repayment of principal and interest on PLUS loans generally begins within 60 days of disbursement of the last installment, repayment of a consolidation loan begins within 60 days after the proceeds of the loan have been used to discharge the liability of the borrower on the loans selected for consolidation. Deferments and forbearance of payment may be granted for certain authorized periods.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicant Eligibility: The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national, or person in the United States for other than a temporary purpose. A student borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program on at least a half-time basis as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student at a participating postsecondary school. An otherwise eligible student is eligible for loans during a single twelve-month period in which the student is enrolled in a non-degree/non-certificate course of study that the school has determined is necessary in order for the student to enroll in a program leading to a degree or certificate. Under the Direct PLUS program, parents may borrow for dependent students. Direct Unsubsidized and PLUS loans are non-need based programs. In order to receive a Direct Subsidized Loan, all borrowers must undergo a financial need analysis to determine eligibility for Federal interest. A student that is presently enrolled at a participating institution must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in the course of study that they are pursuing. The borrower may not owe a refund on any Title IV grant or be in default on any Title IV loan received for attendance at any school. The borrower must also file a Statement of Registration compliance (Selective Service). Borrowers that are unable to obtain consolidation loans from lenders under FFEL or who are unable to obtain a consolidation loan with income sensitive repayment terms acceptable to the borrower from a lender, shall be eligible for a Direct Consolidation Loan. Married couples may consolidate eligible loans.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Vocational, undergraduate, and graduate post secondary school students and their parents.
Credentials/Documentation: The borrower will need certification of eligibility from the school and may be required to supply documentation to verify the accuracy of data used in the Direct Subsidized loan need analysis.