Federal Direct Loans
Complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to borrow with the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Learn more about what to expect when applying for Federal Direct Loans. Learn who is eligible to borrower Federal Direct Loans.
New! Graduate students are no longer eligible for Federal Direct Subsidized loans after July 1, 2012 The Budget Control Act of 2011, signed into law on August 2, 2011, eliminated the Federal Direct Loan subsidy for graduate and professional students effective July 1, 2012. As a result, Summer 2012 is the last term graduate and professional students may be eligible to receive Federal Direct Subsidized loans. Subsidized loans borrowed before July 1, 2012 will not be affected.
New! All Federal Direct loans originated after July 1, 2012 will have an increased Origination Fee
The Budget Control Act of 2011, signed into law on August 2, 2011, eliminated the upfront rebate for all federal direct loans. Starting July 1, 2012 Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan disbursements will have a 1% origination fee, and Federal Direct PLUS loans will have a 4% origination fee applied at disbursement.
New! Direct Loans must be pro-rated (reduced) for seniors graduating after attending only one term
Federal regulations require that seniors who graduate in less than a full academic year cannot access the full senior maximum in Federal Direct Loans ($7,500 for dependent students, $12,500 for independent students). UW Madison was exempt from this rule for many years. Beginning with the summer, 2012 term, UW Madison will be required to begin prorating loans for seniors who graduate after attending only one term of the 2012-2013 year. For example, the 2012-2013 school year is made up of three terms; summer 2012, fall 2012 and spring 2013. If a senior graduates after attending only ONE of those terms their Direct Loans must be prorated down to reflect the actual number of credits taken. If the student is not attending fulltime the loan is reduced further. The formula used for the dependent senior loan amount is (# credits/24 x $7,500). For independent seniors the amount is determined by (# credits/24 x $12,500).
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized loans are only offered to undergraduate students beginning 7/1/2012. Graduate and professional students will still be offered Federal Direct Subsidized loans through the Summer 2012 term. Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are fixed interest rate loans offered to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled half-time or higher.
2011-2012 Academic Year Processing Ending Announcement: The last day we can process additional Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan funds for the 2011-2012 academic year is 05/15/2012. Medical students can still get subisidized and unsubsidized loan increases until 06/19/12.
How To Apply | More Information | FAQ
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
This fixed interest rate, credit-based loan can be applied for by graduate and professional students enrolled half-time or higher.
2011-2012 Academic Year Processing Ending Announcement: The last day we can process additional Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans for the 2011-2012 academic year is 05/15/2012. Medical students can still get subisidized and unsubsidized loan increases until 06/19/12.
How To Apply | More Information | FAQ
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
This fixed interest rate, credit-based loan can be applied for by parents of dependent undergraduate students enrolled half-time or higher.
2011-2012 Academic Year Processing Ending Announcement: The last day we can process Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan funds for the 2011-2012 academic year is 05/15/2012.
How To Apply | More Information | FAQ
Federal Direct Loan Repayment
The Department of Education is the lender for Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS, and Graduate PLUS loans. However the servicer assigned to a borrower handles repayment and communication. Visit your servicer's website or contact your servicer in order to setup repayment and account management. Visit the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to identify who your loan servicer is.
Contact My Servicer | Repayment Plans | Now That You've Graduated | Pay As You Earn | Repayment Counseling Presentations
Federal Direct Loan Consolidation
The Department of Education offers traditional loan consolidation for borrowers with at least one federal loan under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), Department of Education held PUT program, or the Federal Direct Loan program.
Traditional Consolidation | Special Consolidation | View Your Loan History (NSLDS)
Federal Direct Loan Forgiveness Programs
The Department of Education offers two Federal Direct Loan forgiveness programs to encourage individuals to enter or continue to work full-time in certain fields of employment. Forgiveness eligibility is based on career type, repayment plan, and loan type.
Public Service Forgiveness Program | Teacher Loan Forgiveness
