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The FFELP is the largest single source of federal aid for students pursuing a higher education. This program has two main sources of funding: Federal Stafford Loans for students and Federal PLUS Loans for parents of dependent students. We encourage you to read carefully all the information provided about the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) before proceeding with the application process.
Students that meet certain financial need criteria may qualify for a Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan. The federal government pays the interest on the subsidized loan while students are enrolled at least half time, during the six-month grace period, and when they qualify for an authorized deferment.
Students who do not qualify for a Subsidized Stafford Loan may be eligible for an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. The federal government does not pay the interest on an unsubsidized loan. Students have the option of paying the interest while they are in school, or they can choose to have the interest added to their principal balance through a process called capitalization.
| Dependent Students | Independent Students | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Loan Limit | Annual Loan Limit Independent Students | ||
| Freshman | $5,500 $3,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized plus an additional $2,000 unsubsidized. |
$9,500 $3,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized plus an additional $6,000 unsubsidized. |
|
| Sophomore* | $6,500 $4,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized plus an additional $2,000 unsubsidized. |
$10,500 $4,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized plus an additional $6,000 unsubsidized. |
|
| Junior/Senior | $7,500 $5,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized plus an additional $2,000 unsubsidized. |
$12,500 $5,500 between subsidized and unsubsidized plus an additional $7,000 unsubsidized. |
|
| Note: Dependent students whose parent has been denied a PLUS Loan may be eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford loan funds. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for details. | |||
Disbursement dates |
Federal Subsidized Stafford |
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford |
Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2009 |
5.60% Fixed |
6.80% Fixed |
Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2008 |
6.00% Fixed |
6.80% Fixed |
Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 |
6.80% Fixed |
6.80% Fixed |
Loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006 |
Variable interest rate, capped at 8.25% |
Variable interest rate, capped at 8.25% |
For loans first disbursed July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010: Up to 1.5% in fees that includes 1% federal origination fee and .5% federal default fee.
Your loan payments may be deferred until six months after graduation. You typically have 10 years to repay your Stafford loan. There are no prepayment penalties on a Stafford loan.
The Guarantor may charge a guarantee fee of up to 1 percent of the total loan amount, and the Lender may charge an origination fee of up to 3 percent.
Effective July 1, 2006 the fixed interest rate on the Federal PLUS Loan will be 8.50 percent. For loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006, the interest rate is variable and capped at 9%.