A Stafford Loan is a federal student loan made and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Named in honor of Vermont Senator Robert Stafford for his contribution to higher education, Stafford Loans are available to eligible undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

Stafford loans are currently available only through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loans). Stafford Loans are no longer available through the Federal Family Education Loan Program as of July 1, 2010.

If you’re considering Stafford Loans, here’s what you need to know.

1. What types of Stafford Loans are available?

There are two types of Stafford Loans, or Direct Stafford Loans.

1. Direct Subsidized Loans: These loans are available only to undergraduate students with financial need. The Department of Education pays the interest while: (a) you’re in school at least half-time; (b) you’re in grace period (first 6 months after graduation); and you’re in deferment (you have chosen to postpone your loan repayment). For this reason, it is in your interest to tap out “subsidized” loans, if you’re eligible, before taking out other loans.

2. Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and there is no need to demonstrate financial need. Unlike “subsidized” loans, you have to pay the interest on unsubsidized loans even when you’re in school, in grace period, or in deferment. Since interest accrues, you should pay the interest if you can afford it during those periods. If you can’t, accrued interest will be added to your principal and you will have a larger overall amount to pay back.

While the Department of Education is the lender, these loans are serviced by loan servicing organizations or companies assigned to help the government manage the billing and other services for your loan. You could have more than one servicer if you have multiple federal student loans.

2. Are you eligible for Stafford Loans?

To qualify for the “subsidized” loans, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:

First, you have to show financial need, which will be assessed based on the data you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Second, you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, OR fall under one of the following categories of eligible noncitizens who have:

• A green card; 
• A Form I-94, “Arrival-Departure Record,” showing “Refugee,” “Asylum Granted,” “Cuban-Haitian Entrant,” “Conditional Entrant” (valid if issued before April 1, 1980), or “Parolee”; 
• A battered immigrant status, or is the child of a person with battered immigrant status; or
• A T-Visa (for victims of human trafficking).

Fourth, you must be registered with the Selective Service, if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25.

Fifth, you must be enrolled in an eligible degree/certificate program. Check with your school’s financial aid department to confirm eligibility.

Sixth, you must be enrolled at least half-time.

Seventh, you must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by maintaining a certain grade point average (GPA), taking a minimum number of credit hours per semester, and staying on track to complete your degree in an acceptable time period. SAP standards vary from school to school, so speak with your school’s financial aid office to see what you should expect.

Eighth, you must certify on FAFSA that (1) you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant, and (2) you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

Ninth, you must have a high school diploma, GED, approved homeschool education, or an eligible career pathway program. Speak to your school’s financial aid office to find out if your school offers an eligible career pathway program.

The requirements for “unsubsidized” loans are the same, except that you do not need to show “financial need.”

Once you’ve received Direct Stafford Loans, be sure to maintain your eligibility as long as you need the loans. If you lose eligibility, you can take steps to regain it.

3. How do you apply for Direct Stafford Loans?

To apply for either of the two Stafford Loans, you must fill out the FAFSA form. The FAFSA, which is free to fill out and submit, is used by current and prospective colleges to determine a student’s eligibility for various forms of financial aid. 

Filling out the FAFSA can be a long process that requires financial and other information, so be sure to start early and get it in as soon as possible. The open date every year is October 1, so you have plenty of time to fill it out before the federal deadline on June 30.

States and even schools also have their own deadlines for FAFSA submission, so it is best to check with your school’s administration to make sure you get your form in on time.

Check here for some helpful tips about filling out your FAFSA.

You must fill out the FAFSA every year if you want to stay eligible for Direct Stafford Loans, so be sure to keep abreast of any changes in the form and comply with deadlines.

4. What are the interest rates for Direct Stafford Loans?

The interest rate is dependent on the type of loan and the date on which the loan is first disbursed, and is generally lower for loans to undergraduates. 

The interest rate is dependent on the type of loan and the date on which the loan is first disbursed, and is generally lower for loans to undergraduates. 

For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2023, and before July 1, 2024, the interest rate is:

• 5.5% for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans to undergraduate students; and
• 7.05% for Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate or professional students.

The interest rate is a fixed rate, meaning that the rate doesn’t change, so your monthly payments will always be the same amount. Knowing how much you need to pay each month will help you with your budget.

The interest rate is set every July 1 according to federal law.

5. Are there any other costs involved?

Stafford Loans come with a loan fee, which is a percentage of the loan amount and is dependent on the date on which the loan is first disbursed. For loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2023, the percentage is 1.057%.

The loan fee is deducted from each loan disbursement, in proportion to the amount disbursed.

6. How much can you borrow?

Since Direct Stafford Loans are meant to be used only for educational purposes, the maximum loan amount for an academic year is determined by the costs of your school minus other financial aid you get.

Your school will determine the type of loan you get, if any, and the actual loan amount.

In addition, there are limits based on the year you’re in and your status as a dependent or independent child. For example, a first-year undergraduate student can borrow up to $5,500 per year — of which $3,500 would be the maximum amount for “subsidized” loans — if he or she is a dependent child. The maximum amount could go up by $4,000 to $9,500 for independent students or dependent students whose parents do not qualify for Parent PLUS loans, but the $3,500 limit in “subsidized” loans still apply.

The loan amounts increase for subsequent years of study. Check here for details on how much you can borrow under these two loan types.

You can estimate your aid for free using the Federal Student Aid Estimator. You can estimate your aid for free using FAFSA4caster.

Keep in mind, though, that your goal is to borrow as little as possible, so you graduate with the least amount of debt. This is particularly important for undergraduate students who intend to pursue a higher degree in law, medicine or business, and have to borrow then. You don’t want to add debt on top of debt.  

7. How will you receive your loan?

The funds will go directly to your school account to be applied against tuition, fees, room and board, and other school charges. If there are extras, the school will send them to you, so you can pay other education expenses.

8. Are there any benefits to Direct Stafford Loans?

Stafford Loans, like other federal student loans, have several benefits. Two of the most significant ones are the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant programs.

In addition, if borrowers have problems making their monthly payments on their federal student loans, they have the option to apply for deferment or forbearance (explained below), or to have their monthly payment adjusted based on their discretionary income (details below).

Another benefit is that the government will pay the interest on “subsidized” loans when you’re in school, in grace period, or in deferment.

9. What are your repayment options?

Your repayment options vary depending on the type of loan you have. 

Here are the standard repayment options:

1. Standard Repayment Plan: This plan saves you the most money because it allows you to pay off your loan most quickly — within 10 years if you have unconsolidated loans, and within 10-30 years if you have consolidated loans. However, since the fixed monthly payments are higher, this is not a viable option for borrowers seeking PSLF. By the way, this will be your default option if you don’t choose a repayment plan.
2. Graduated Repayment Plan: With this plan, you will start with low monthly payments that will increase every two years. You pay off your loan within 10 years if you have unconsolidated loans, and within 10-30 years if you have consolidated loans. It’s generally not an option for those seeking PSLF.
3. Extended Fixed Repayment Plan: If you need to lower their monthly payments, this plan gives you the option to extend your payment period up to 25 years. You will have a fixed monthly payment. To qualify, your outstanding loan amounts must be more than $30,000. This plan is not an option for those seeking PSLF.
4. Extended Graduated Repayment Plan: This plan also gives you the option to extend your payment period up to 25 years, but your lower monthly payments increase over time. To qualify, your outstanding loan amounts must be more than $30,000. This plan is not an option for those seeking PSLF.

Additionally, there are four income-driven repayment plans (IDR), in which payments are based on a percentage of the borrower’s discretionary income. IDR plans are good options for those seeking PSLF.

1. Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (REPAYE) Income Sensitive Repayment: Your monthly payments are generally 10% of your discretionary income. If you haven’t paid back your undergraduate loans in full after 20 years, or your graduate or professional study loans after 25 years, the outstanding balance will be forgiven, but you may have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven.
2. Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE): Your monthly payments will be 10% of discretionary income, but will not exceed what you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan. If you haven’t paid back your loan in full after 20 years, the outstanding balance will be forgiven, but you may have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven.
3. Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR): The percentage depends on whether you’re considered a new borrower on or after July 1, 2014, or not. If you are a “new borrower,” your monthly payments are generally 10% of your discretionary income. If you’re not, your monthly payments will be 15% of your discretionary income. If you haven’t paid back your loan in full after 20 or 25 years (depending on when you receive the loan), the outstanding balance will be forgiven, but you may have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven.
4. Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR): Your monthly payments will be the lower of 20% of your discretionary income or the amount you would pay under a fixed repayment plan over 12 years. If you haven’t paid back your loan in full after 25 years, the outstanding balance will be forgiven, but you may have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven.

10. What if you have problems paying back your loans?

Get in touch with your loan servicer right away if you’re struggling to make your monthly payments. You don’t want a situation where your loan becomes delinquent or in default, because it will affect your credit score.

An account is “delinquent” the day after a first missed payment, and is deemed “in default” when it is 270 days delinquent. So, if you miss one or two payments, your loan is delinquent. But if you miss several payments, your loan will be at risk of default.

If you have money for your monthly payments but you forget, simply change to an automatic debit method to ensure timely payments.

If you can’t afford your monthly payments, however, you need to check into lowering your monthly payments. Here are a few options:

1. You can apply for IDR plans (described above) at StudentLoans.gov.
2. If you have multiple federal loans, you can apply to consolidate some or all of the loans into a single loan here. For advice on whether you should consolidate your loans, check this TUN interview with Betsy Mayotte, president and founder of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors.
3. Another option is to refinance your loans through private lenders. Refinancing, like consolidation, allows you to roll multiple loans into one loan. Your interest rate is typically determined by your credit score. CAVEAT: borrowers who refinance federal student loans lose benefits provided by federal loans, including access to IDR plans that may qualify them for loan forgiveness after 10, 20 or 25 years of payments.

If you’re in a situation where you need to postpone your monthly payments temporarily, you have two options: deferment or forbearance. Both programs could have a major impact on the amount you have to pay back. Neither program is ideal, particularly if you’re working towards loan forgiveness, as it may delay the time it takes to qualify for loan forgiveness. A better option may be to apply for IDR plans instead.

11. What if Direct Stafford Loans are not enough?

Private student loans can fill in the gap between the financial aid you get and the costs of education, but there are some disadvantages when compared with federal student loans. So, it is imperative that you learn all about private student loans before you tap this source, and don’t borrow more than what you need.

The bottom line

Before you take out student loans, be sure to explore all the free money available to you — grants and scholarships — as well as work-study programs available at your school and part-time jobs that will accommodate your school commitments. If you still need to borrow money for school, max out your “subsidized” Stafford Loans before taking on other loans. But try to borrow as little as possible. And once you’ve taken out student loans, you need to act responsibly and make sure that you do not run afoul of the terms of the loans.