Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal loan for eligible undergraduate and graduate students; rate, cap, and repayment options depend on disbursement year and academic status.
About Direct Unsubsidized Loan
This loan can finance education costs without a financial-need test, but its balance accrues interest from the first disbursement.
You must be at least half-time at a school participating in the Direct Loan Program and file FAFSA. The school uses that information and its cost of attendance to build the aid offer. Graduate eligibility and maximums may depend on prior disbursement dates, program length, and transitional exceptions in effect since July 2026.
File FAFSA, review the amount and estimated total cost, and accept only what you need through the college portal. Compare payments and terms with the federal calculator, save the promissory note, and record the first-disbursement date because it can affect repayment choices after July 2026.
Who it serves and what it can cover: Federal loan for eligible undergraduate and graduate students; rate, cap, and repayment options depend on disbursement year and academic status.
How to apply or get help: File FAFSA, review the amount and estimated total cost, and accept only what you need through the college portal. Compare payments and terms with the federal calculator, save the promissory note, and record the first-disbursement date because it can affect repayment choices after July 2026. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Public student financial-aid program