Federal Student Loans

The following Direct Loans are made through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Direct Subsidized Loans

Interest is not charged while you are in school at least half-time, during your grace period or during deferment periods. To receive a Direct Subsidized Loan, you must have financial need. Your school will determine if you are eligible for a Direct Subsidized Loan.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Interest is charged during all periods, including while you are in school and during grace and deferment periods.

Direct PLUS Loans

Unsubsidized Loans for parents of dependent students. PLUS loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods.

Direct Consolidation Loans

Loans for students or parents. Borrowers can combine different federal student loans into one loan.

How much can I borrow?

The tables below shows the maximum amount you can borrow each academic year and in total, based on your dependency status and grade level. Whether you are considered dependent or independent is based on your age, marital status and other factors. Your school can tell you your dependency status.

The actual loan amounts and types of loan (subsidized, unsubsidized or a combination of both) that you are eligible to receive each year are determined by your school, based on such factors as your cost of attendance, Expected Family contribution, other financial aid and the length of your program. The actual amounts you are eligible to borrow may be less than the maximum amounts shown below.

Resources for more information

For information about Direct Loans:
Direct Loans on the Web:   www.direct.ed.gov

For information about everything related to Direct Loan repayment:

Borrower Services at the Direct Loan Servicing Center
1-800-848-0979 (TTY 1-800-848-0983)
Direct Loan Servicing online:
www.dl.ed.gov

For everything you need to know about Direct Consolidation Loans, including an online application:

Direct Loan Consolidation Center 
1-800-557-7392  (TTY 1-800-557-7395)
Direct Loan consolidation web site:  www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov

Track your outstanding federal student loans:
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) web site:  www.NSLDS.ed.gov
Note: NSLDS only tracks federal student loans: you will need to track any private education loans you may have using your own records.
 
The Department of Education has bought all the student loans from the lenders that went out of the student loan business. Students who are having trouble finding who they need to talk to and how to make payments can contact the Department of Education.

Contact Information-Department of Education
Student Loan Servicer:

Toll free phone:  800-508-1378

Address for mailing payments:
          DESLS
            P.O. Box 9001561
            Louisville, KY 40290-1561

Address for non-payment correspondence:
          DESLS
            Attention: Customer Service Department
            P.O. Box 7063
            Utica, NY 13504-7063