Student Loans Available Directly from the Federal Government

by: Michael Saunders
Federal Direct Student Loans are available to assist those vocational, undergraduate, and graduate postsecondary students (or their parents) and allows them to borrow money directly from the Federal government. This is done so that these students or their parents do not have to take out loans through private or other commercial lenders that oftentimes have much higher interest rates or simply will not provide a loan.

There are different variations of a Federal Direct Student Loan available; these are dependent on whether or not the student is eligible for government assistance. Need based programs include the Stafford Loan and the Direct Subsidized Loan; while non-need based programs are the Direct PLUS program, and the Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Federal Direct Student Loans are overseen by the Department of Education. In order to be eligible for Federal Direct Student Loans the student is required to be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen (this means those with a Alien Registration Card or those with a Arrival Departure Record with specific designations).

To qualify for Federal Direct Student Loans the student must be accepted or currently already enrolled in a degree or certificate program. The student has to be at least a half-time basis undergraduate, graduate, or professional student at a postsecondary that participates with Federal Direct Student Loans. Students are not allowed to owe a refund on another a Title IV grant, and cannot currently have a Title IV loan that is defaulted. The student will also have to get a certification of eligibility from their school.
  (continued...)

Student Loans Available Directly from the Federal Government
  Page 2

About The Author The author edits a site featuring Education Grants and another Government Grants site providing info on every grant the federal government offers. Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Additional Resources

category - Education Grants

Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has recently constituted the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program in an attempt to boost and enhance the quality of formal, postsecondary-level agricultural sciences education.

---

Student Loans Available Directly from the Federal Government
There are different variations of a Federal Direct Student Loan available; these are dependent on whether or not the student is eligible for government assistance. Need based programs include the Stafford Loan and the Direct Subsidized Loan; while non-need based programs are the Direct PLUS program, and the Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

---

Summer Seminars and Institutes Program
The National Endowment for the Humanities has recently established the Summer Seminars and Institutes Program wherein it aims to provide support to faculty development programs in the field of the humanities for school, college, and university teachers.

---

Community College Tuition is Affordable
Community colleges are local colleges that offer two year degrees and certifications. Students can take classes at community college and earn credits toward a two year or four year degree program. C...

---