Types of US Department of Education Loans

There are three main possibilities when considering US Department of Education loans: grants, which are monetary gifts, student loans, and work-study programs where the money for education is earned. Only in the case of student loans does the money need to be repaid. Most federal grants are based solely on financial need, and some are given on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is important to apply as early as possible.

Work-Study programs are not technically US Department of Education loans, but they are a federally mandated way to receive financial aid to attend college. A number of work-study hours are specified as part of the financial aid package. These usually involve jobs working with non-profit companies or on campus, and pay a modest salary. The money earned can be used for college tuition.

True US Department of Education loans include the Perkins Loan, the Stafford Loan, and the PLUS loan for parents. Perkins loans have a particularly low interest rate and can be paid back over a time period of as long as 10 years. There are a limited number of Perkins Loans available to each school every year. The Stafford Loan has a higher interest rate than the Perkins loan, and doesn’t necessarily offer a grace period after graduation. However, there are more Stafford loans offered by the US Department of Education every year. Stafford loans are even available to students who don’t have a pressing financial need. Stafford loans may be paid off over a period of as long as thirty years.

PLUS loans are the final type of US Department of Education loans. They are offered to parents of undergraduates, as opposed to the students themselves. Payments on Federal PLUS loans start two months after the money is received, and can be paid off over a ten-year term.

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Mark Kessler's website offers a comprehensive free resource of college financial aid. Don't even think about paying for school until you've read this about Consolidating Student Loans, as well as Alternative Student Loans, ACS, Bad Credit, and US Department Of Education Student Loans, including a variety student loan articles.