Direct Loans
The Direct Loan Program makes long-term loans available to students at all levels of study, and to parents on behalf of dependent students. The federal government subsidizes interest during defined periods for undergraduate students who show need under the federal need analysis methodology, but only for a limited amount of time based on the length of the student’s program. Various repayment plans are available, as well as deferments, cancellations, and discharges.
Related terms: Loan Counseling; Cohort Default Rate (CDR)
A Case Study of Undergraduate Debt, Repayment Plans, and Postbaccalaureate Decision-Making Among Black Students at HBCUs
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
A Primer on Higher Education, Student Aid, and the Federal Budget Process
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Borrowers Discuss the Challenges of Student Loan Repayment
(The Pew Charitable Trusts)
Changes in HBCU Financial Aid and Student Enrollment After the Tightening of PLUS Credit Standards
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
College Student Debt and Anticipated Repayment Difficulty
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Comparison of Sub and Unsub for Undergrads, 2020-21
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
Debt Profiles of Model Students: The Projected Debt of Highly Productive Students and Its Economic Impact
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Direct Loans AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&As
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
Direct Loans Self-Study Guide
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
Do Promise Programs Reduce Student Loans? Evidence from Tennessee Promise
(The Journal of Higher Education)
Education Tax Credits: A Different Trajectory for Federal Funding of Higher Education and Remediation for Effectual Policymaking
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Exploring IDR: A Comparison of Financial Situations and Behaviors Between Those in Traditional Student Loan Repayment and Those in Income-Driven Repayment
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Graduate and Professional Reference Sheet, 2021-22
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
Parent Borrowing and College Completion
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
PLUS Borrowing in Texas: Repayment Expectations, Experience, and Hindsight by Minority-Serving Institution Status
(Trellis Company)
Policymakers Should Consider Impact of Growing Student Loan Balances on Borrowers and Taxpayers
(The Pew Charitable Trusts)
Social Dimensions of Student Debt: A Data Mining Analysis
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Student Aid Reference Sheet - 2021-22
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
Student Loans, Financial Stress, and College Student Retention
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Student Loan System Presents Repayment Challenges
(The Pew Charitable Trusts)
The Influence of Stafford Loan Debt Load on Persistence Among Historically Underserved Populations at a Hispanic Serving Institution
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
Understanding Loan Use and Debt Burden Among Low-income and Minority Students at a Large Urban Community College
(Journal of Student Financial Aid)
2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 5
Student Aid Reference Sheet, 2021-22
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
2020-21 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 5
Student Aid Reference Sheet, 2021-22
(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
See top list entry for Student Eligibility
See top list entry for Professional Judgment
See top list entries for Cash Management and Disbursement
See top list entry for Loan Counseling
See top list entry for Loan Counseling
Electronic Announcement, 5/15/20
See also Cash Management
See also Repayment plans
Americans Support Federal Action To Make Student Loan Repayment Easier
(The Pew Charitable Trusts)