The federal government requires student and parent borrowers to view and acknowledge how much they currently owe in federal student loans when they are signing the promissory note for the loan.
Subsidized versus unsubsidized
Students with financial need may qualify for subsidized loans. This means you don’t pay interest on the loan while you’re in college at least half time; the federal government helps to pay, or subsidize, the interest during that time. The interest on an unsubsidized loan begins accruing immediately when you take out the loan.
Direct Subsidized
For undergraduate students with financial need
Direct Unsubsidized
For undergraduate and graduate students; do not need to demonstrate financial need
Perkins Loan
For undergraduate, graduate or professional students with exceptional financial need
Direct PLUS
For eligible parents of dependent students and students pursuing a graduate or professional degree
