Stafford Loan

A Stafford Loan is a student loan offered to eligible students enrolled in accredited American institutions of higher education to help finance their education. The terms of the loans are described in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (with subsequent amendments), which guarantees repayment to the lender if a student defaults.

In 1988, Congress renamed the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan program the Robert T. Stafford Student Loan program, in honor of Senator Robert Stafford of Vermont, for his work on higher education.

Because the loans are guaranteed by the full faith of the US Government, they are offered at a lower interest rate than the borrower would otherwise be able to get for a private loan. On the other hand, there are strict eligibility requirements and borrowing limits on Stafford loans.

Students applying for a Stafford loan or other federal financial aid must first complete a FAFSA. Stafford loans are available to students either directly from the United States Department of Education through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP, also known as Direct) or from a private lender through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

No payments are expected on the loan while the student is enrolled as a full or half time student. This is referred to as in-school deferment. Deferment of repayment continues for six months after the student leaves school either by graduating, dropping below half-time enrollment, or withdrawing. This is referred to as the Grace Period.

Stafford loans are available both as subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans are offered to students based on demonstrated financial need. The interest on Subsidized loans is paid by the federal government while the student is in school, during the grace period, and during authorized deferment. For unsubsidized Stafford loans, students are responsible for all of the interest that accrues while the student is enrolled in school. The interest may be deferred throughout enrollment. Unpaid interest that is deferred until after graduation is capitalized (added to the loan principal).

For variable rate loans, the rates are set annually using the price of the 91-day Treasury bill on the last Monday of May, and become effective for the following year on July 1. For fiscal year 2007-2008 the 91-day Treasury bill auctioned on May 29, 2007 at 4.919% (rounded to 4.92%) are used for the calculation. On May 27th, 2008 the 91-day Treasury bill was auctioned at an investment rate of 1.905%. On July 1, 2008, the base rate for variable rate Stafford loans will be adjusted to 1.91%. Loans issued prior to July 1st, 1998 will be adjusted to a rate of 5.01%. Loans issued July 1st, 1998 thru June 30th, 2006 will be adjusted to a rate of 4.21%.


As of July 1, 2006 all Stafford loans are issued with a fixed interest rate. For Direct loans and most loan providers, the rate is currently set at 6.80%.

As the new rate goes into effect, some loan providers are foregoing portions of the margin they are entitled to under the Federal program, offering interest rates lower than the standard rate. Many are also offering price incentives related to payment history, direct debit, etc. Collectively, interest rate reductions, principal reductions, and origination fee discounts are known as Borrower Benefits.

In addition, in repealing the Single Holder Rule, Congress also allows loan providers to compete for college consolidation loans that are available to students and former students with multiple loans. Specialized consolidation lenders and student loan providers compete on various incentives to attract customers.


Applying for a Stafford Loan


To apply for a Stafford Loan, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even though the unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available to all students regardless of financial need, you must still submit the FASFA to be eligible. You can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same period.

You may use the Lender Codes Database to obtain the lender codes of participating student loan providers. FinAid also maintains a list of education lenders who offer federal and private student loans. If you are a student attending a school that participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program you will obtain your federal student loan funds directly from the U.S. government, not from private lenders.