Direct Loans 101

Direct loans are convenient, flexible and simple. Aloan is a direct loan designed for parents without an
Direct loan is a loan by a lender to a customer withoutadverse financial history who wish to borrow money
the use of a third party. This type of loan enables thefor their dependent student. In order for a student to
lender to have greater discretion in the distribution ofbe dependent he or she may not be 24 years or older,
loans. Typically the lender is the U.S. Department ofa graduate or professional student, someone with legal
Education rather than a bank or financial institution. Thedependents, an orphan or a ward of the court. Parents
federal government provides four types of direct loanof independent students are not eligible to apply for this
financing.type of loan.o The Federal Direct Consolidation loan is
These direct loans vary in criteria and repaymenta consolidation of one or more federal loans combined
schedules:o The Federal Direct Subsidized Staffordinto a direct loan. A single monthly payment is made to
Ford Loan is a direct loan, which means you do notthe U.S. Department of Education. It is to the student's
pay the interest on the loan while you are school atadvantage to consolidate, due to lower interest rates.
least part-time. This particular type of Direct loan isDirect loans give you the simplicity of having one
based on the student financial need in accord withcontact for concerns with your financial assistance.
federal regulations.o The Federal Direct UnsubsidizedYou are able to have access to your Direct loan
Stafford/Ford Loan is a direct loan the governmentinformation on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
charges you interest while you are in school. TheYou are given the flexibility to choose your repayment
student does not need to be in extreme financial needoptions and are able to change your schedule as your
to receive this type of loan.o The Federal Direct PLUSneeds change.