Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are long-term, low-interest loans that students may borrow to help pay for educational expenses. A student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan. EdD students must be enrolled in at least three credit hours per semester to qualify for a Federal Direct Loan. These loans are not credit based nor based on financial need and must be repaid.
Interest accrues on these loans immediately and students are encouraged to make the interest payments while in school.
Federal Graduate PLUS loans are fixed-rate, low-interest loans for which graduate students may qualify to help pay for educational expenses. These credit-based loans are not based on financial need. Interest accrues while the student is in school, but repayment is deferred until six months after the student drops below half-time enrollment.