• The Federal Direct Lending Program offers direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, and consolidation loans.

  • Subsidized federal student loans offer the lowest interest rates.
  • Parent PLUS loans often have the highest interest rates of any federal student loan offered by the government.
  • All loans have maximum amounts, which are set annually, with each subsequent year allowing the specified increase.
  • Federal direct loans often have better interest rates than private loans.