Important:The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced significant changes to federal student aid that took effect on July 1, 2026.Students and families are encouraged to review the OBBBA Information page. Medical and Dental students can view OBBBA Information Specific to Rutgers Health Students. Both pages will be updated as more guidance becomes available. We are here to help students navigate these changes. For questions and concerns, students should contact their regional One Stop Student Services Center. Rutgers Health students should contact their campus Office of Financial Aid.
Federal Direct and PLUS Loans
Federal Direct Loans and PLUS Loans are federally funded loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Students who complete the FAFSA are generally offered federal student loans for the maximum amount they are eligible for after their grants, scholarships, Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) awards and other aid is considered. To receive federal loan funds, Rutgers students must complete a required loan acceptance process each academic year by the deadlines posted below. Although loan requests submitted after the deadline may still be considered, timely processing and disbursement are not guaranteed.
| Fall 2026 Only | Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 | Spring 2027 Only | Summer 2027 Only | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 12, 2026 | May 2, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | August 8, 2027 |
*First-time borrowers must also complete entrance counseling and a master promissory note (MPN) by the dates listed above.
Please browse the sections below to learn more important information about federal student loans
Determining Eligibility for Federal Direct Loans
Direct Stafford Loans: There are two types of Direct Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. The subsidized loan is need-based, which is determined by the difference between the cost of attendance and your expected family contribution. Students borrowing the subsidized loan do not pay interest on the loan while they are enrolled at least half-time. The U.S. Department of Education pays interest while the borrower is in school and during grace and deferment periods.
Unsubsidized loans are non-need-based, and students are not required to demonstrate financial need to borrow an unsubsidized loan. If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, your interest will accrue and be capitalized (your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan).
Federal Direct PLUS Loans: As of July 1, 2026, parents are subject to new annual and lifetime borrowing caps per dependent student as detailed in the chart below.
| effective 7/1/2026 | Annual | Lifetime |
| Parent PLUS Loans | $20,000 | $65,000 |
If a student or parent received a Federal Direct loan of any kind before July 1, 2026, the parent can continue to borrow under preOBBBA rules for up to three more academic years or until the student finishes their degree program, whichever comes first. According to preOBBBA rules, the maximum amount that may be borrowed is calculated by subtracting other aid from the cost of attendance. This limited interim exception applies only for the degree program the student was enrolled in when the student or parent first borrowed. In addition students must still be attending the same institution they were when they first borrowed.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans: Prior to the implementation of the OBBBA, Grad PLUS loans allowed graduate and professional students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance (minus other aid). As of July 1, 2026, the option to borrow a Grad PLUS loan was eliminated for students who did not previously borrow a Federal Direct Loan or are in a different degree program or institution than they were when they previously borrowed. However, students still have options to cover their remaining costs. Learn more below about how to prepare.
Check Your Loan History
Log in with your FSA ID (username and password) at StudentAid.gov.
Select View Details on the dashboard.
Review the My Loans section to understand your total loan amounts and outstanding balances, loan types, and loan statuses.
View specific details for each loan including disbursement dates, interest rates, and loan servicer information.
Explore Private Loans
If you are not eligible for the Grad PLUS Loan Program under the rules imposed by the OBBBA, visit our private loans information page to learn more about what you should consider, questions you should ask, choosing a lender, and how to apply.
Students who previously borrowed a federal direct loan of any kind while in their current degree program at their current institution, before July 1, 2026, may borrow a Grad PLUS loan for up to three additional academic years or until they complete their program, whichever comes first. This limited interim exception applies only for continuous enrollment in the degree program the student was enrolled in when they borrowed their federal loan. In addition students must still be attending the same institution they were when they first borrowed. A credit check will be performed for all applicants. Students who choose to complete their application more than 180 days prior to the start of your semester, may be required to undergo a second credit check. To borrow a Direct PLUS Loan a student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, must not be in a default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant, and must meet other general eligibility requirements for the federal student aid programs.
How to Apply for a Federal Direct Loan
When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are applying for all of the aid programs for which you may be eligible, including direct loans.
If a Federal Direct Stafford Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized) has been offered to you as part of your aid package, it will appear as an award in the Financial Aid Student Portal. You can accept or decline these loans just as you would any other aid program assistance offered to you.
To apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan (either Parent or Grad PLUS), you must submit an additional application.
Next Steps to Receive Federal Direct Loan Funds
Once you are awarded a Federal Direct Loan, you must fulfill certain conditions before loan funds can be credited to your account. These include, but may not be limited to:
Complete Entrance Counseling
Entrance counseling is a session designed to help you better understand your obligation as a borrower, and provides other useful information on the loan process, and is required for some first time borrowers.
Sign the Master Promissory Note
Direct Stafford Loan borrowers who want these funds to credit to their term bill must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The same FSA ID used to complete your online FAFSA is used to sign your MPN.
Follow the directions carefully to complete the four step process for the Federal Direct Loan MPN. In “Step 4, Submit Master Promissory Note – Review and Sign,” review and confirm your information. When done, sign and submit the page to complete your MPN process. At the end of Step 4, make sure to save or print the PDF version of your completed MPN for your records.
Accept, Adjust, or Decline Federal Loans
At such a time that you are eligible to complete the loan acceptance process, you will receive an email notification that includes instructions for accepting, declining or adjusting your federal loans. Your loans must be in an awarded status to complete the acceptance process.
Federal Direct Loan Interest Rates & Origination Fees
Interest Rates for Federal Direct Loans
Loans disbursed under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program have either a fixed or a variable interest rate, depending on when the loan was first disbursed.
All Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Direct PLUS loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 have a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan.
| Loan Type | Borrower Type | Loans first disbursed on or after 7/1/26 and before 7/1/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized Loans | Undergraduate | 6.52% |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Undergraduate | 6.52% |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Graduate or Professional | 8.07% |
| Direct PLUS Loans | Parents and Graduate or Professional Students | 9.07% |
| Loan Type | Borrower Type | Loans first disbursed on or after 7/1/25 and before 7/1/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized Loans | Undergraduate | 6.39% |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Undergraduate | 6.39% |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | Graduate or Professional | 7.94% |
| Direct PLUS Loans | Parents and Graduate or Professional Students | 8.94% |
Origination Fees for Federal Direct Loans
| Loan Type | First Disbursement Date | Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans | On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/26 | 1.057% |
| Direct PLUS Loans | On or after 10/1/20 and before 10/1/26 | 4.228% |
Federal Direct Loan Limits
| Combined Base Limits for Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans | Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans | HEAL Limits | Total Limit for Unsubsidized Loans (minus subsidized amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Year Undergraduate | $3,500 | $2,000 | N/A | $5,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Second-Year Undergraduate | $4,500 | $2,000 | N/A | $6,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Third-Year & Beyond Undergraduate | $5,500 | $2,000 | N/A | $7,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in an undergraduate program) | $2,625 | $0 | N/A | $2,625 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in a graduate/professional program) | $5,500 | $0 | N/A | $5,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Teacher Certification Coursework | $5,500 | $0 | N/A | $5,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Combined Base Limits for Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans | Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans | HEAL Limits | Total Limit for Unsubsidized Loans (minus subsidized amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Year Undergraduate | $3,500 | $6,000 | N/A | $9,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Second-Year Undergraduate | $4,500 | $6,000 | N/A | $10,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Third-Year & Beyond Undergraduate | $5,500 | $7,000 | N/A | $12,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in an undergraduate program) | $2,625 | $6,000 | N/A | $8,625 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in a graduate/professional program) | $5,500 | $7,000 | N/A | $12,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Teacher Certification Coursework | $5,500 | $7,000 | N/A | $12,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Limits for Subsidized Loans | Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans | Total | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate Students (whose parents were not denied a PLUS loan) | $23,000 | $8,000 | $31,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Independent Undergraduate Students (and dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS loan) | $23,000 | $34,500 | $57,500 | |||||||||||||||
| Graduates in Public Health | Medical/Dental Students | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 months | 10 months | 11 months | 12 months | 9 months | 10 months | 11 months | 12 months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Limit for Unsubsidized Loans | $20,500 | $20,500 | $20,500 | $20,500 | $20,500 | $20,500 | $20,500 | $20,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HEAL Limits | $12,000 | $13,889 | $15,278 | $16,677 | $20,000 | $22,222 | $24,444 | $26,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $33,000 | $34,389 | $35,778 | $37,177 | $40,500 | $42,722 | $44,944 | $47,167 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Limits for Unsubsidized Loans | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Professional Students | $138,500 | |||||||
| Medical School Students | $224,000 | |||||||
Contact Your Loan Servicer
For a full list of federal loan servicers, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Repayment Options
Students who borrow a Federal Direct Student Loan and have borrowed a Federal Stafford Loan in the past can have their loans consolidated so that they will be making only one payment. Loan consolidation will be made at the request of the student when entering repayment. The university will provide more information to you regarding this option as you approach graduation.
Loan repayment begins six months after you leave school or cease to be enrolled an at least a half-time basis. These six months are referred to as a grace period.
While you are enrolled in school, no payments are due on the subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan, and no interest accrues (unless you are repaying a previous loan and are enrolled less than half time). The federal government pays the interest for you during this time.
The grace period for the unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan is the same as the subsidized, but you are responsible for the interest on the loan while in the grace period. Repayment on the Federal Direct PLUS Loan begins shortly after the loan is fully disbursed.
Learn more about available options for repaying your student loans.
Missed Loan Payment Consequences
Missing a loan payment may result in consequences. Take care to make your payments on time, and reach out to your loan servicer to discuss options for repayment. Additionally, see the following resource for more information on federal loans that are delinquent or in default: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/default.
One day past your payment due date: Your loan becomes past due, also known as delinquent.
90 days past your payment due date: Your loan servicer is required to report your delinquency to national credit bureaus, which usually impacts your credit rating and your ability to borrow in the future.
270 days past your payment due date: You lose eligibility for certain benefits, including additional federal student aid and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
360 days past your payment due date: Your full unpaid balance and any interest owed become immediately due. You can no longer receive a deferment or forbearance, which allows you to temporarily postpone or reduce your federal student loan payments. Your tax refunds and federal benefits payments may be withheld and applied toward your defaulted loan. Your employer may be required to withhold a portion of your pay.