Student Aid
Loans
Learn about Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent and Graduate PLUS, University, and private education loans.
Education Loans
Education loans are the primary source of student aid at Penn State. Each year, the majority of Penn State students participate in the major federal and state grant, loan and work-study programs. These funding sources make up the majority of all student aid funding with education loans the largest program. Eligibility is determined based on information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
For many students, federal education loans may be the only form of assistance available. Besides the loans available to students, parents who request additional assistance will be directed to consider the Parent PLUS Loan Program. Parents who qualify for this program can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any aid to their student.
Types of Loans Available to use at Penn State
Loan FAQs
Federal student loans, such as the Federal Direct Loan and the Parent PLUS Loan, generally have more favorable terms and conditions than private loans. We recommend using all federal loan eligibility before turning to private loans.
The Direct Parent PLUS loan is a federal loan available to the parents of dependent undergraduate students. The Direct Parent PLUS Loan offers flexible loan limits and a fixed 8.05% interest rate for the 2023-24 school year and 9.08% interest rate for the 2024-25 school year. Eligibility is determined by the applicants credit history.
Private alternative loans are managed through private lenders, issued in the student’s name, and require a co-signer. Eligibility, rates, terms, and conditions vary. Loan applications for Fall/Spring will be available at studentloans.gov on July 1.
View your loan history through the National Student Loan Data System, the U.S. Department of Education's central database for student aid information. National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for student aid and provides aid information, including Title IV loans and Pell Grants.
NSLDS tracks this information from the financial aid approval stage through the closure stage. Data is transmitted to NSLDS from schools, agencies that guaranty loans, the Direct Loan program, the Pell Grant program, and other U.S. Department of Education programs.
You can view your NSLDS information by logging into studentaid.gov. Your profile will provide personalized information like your federal student loan balance, disbursement dates and contact information. You can also view information on your federal loan servicer(s). Log into studentaid.gov.
Fresh Start is a temporary program from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that offers special benefits for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans. Fresh Start ends Sept. 30, 2024. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/default-fresh-start