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For most U.S. students, federal loans should come before private loans. Federal loans use standardized rules, fixed rates tied to loan type and first-disbursement year, and may offer income-related repayment, approved payment pauses, forgiveness, or discharge. A private loan can cover a remaining gap after grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal eligibility are exhausted, but its rate and protections depend on the lender and your credit profile.
The choice is different for a current borrower considering refinancing. Moving federal debt to a private lender may reduce the interest rate, but it also changes the loan from federal to private and can permanently remove federal repayment, forgiveness, and discharge rights.
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Federal student loans vs. private student loans at a glance
Federal Student Aid’s comparison framework shows why the usual borrowing order is federal aid first, private credit second. Federal terms come from federal law and program rules. Private terms come from an individual lender’s contract and underwriting decision.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Decision factor | Federal student loans | Private student loans |
|---|---|---|
| Rate structure | Fixed for the life of the loan, with the rate set by loan type and first-disbursement period. | May be fixed or variable. The offered rate depends on the borrower, cosigner, lender, and contract. |
| Eligibility | FAFSA, school participation, enrollment, citizenship or eligible-status rules, and requirements for the specific program. Most Direct Loans do not require a credit check or cosigner. | Usually based on credit, income, debt, enrollment, and lender policies. A cosigner may be required, but not every private loan requires one. |
| Need determination | Direct Subsidized Loans require qualifying undergraduate financial need. Direct Unsubsidized Loans do not require a financial-need showing. | Need is generally not the eligibility test; the lender evaluates repayment risk and school details. |
| Payments while enrolled | Direct Loan repayment generally begins after leaving school or falling below half-time enrollment, subject to the loan’s rules and deferment conditions. | Some contracts require payments during school; others allow deferment. The promissory note controls. |
| Payment relief | Eligible borrowers may have access to federal repayment plans, approved deferment or forbearance, and income-related options under current rules. | Relief is lender-specific and may be narrower, shorter, or unavailable compared with federal options. |
| Forgiveness or discharge | Some borrowers qualify for specified federal forgiveness or discharge programs. | Most private loans do not carry federal forgiveness. Any lender- or state-specific benefit must be verified separately. |
| Refinancing | Keeping the loan federal preserves federal program rights, subject to the borrower’s and loan’s eligibility. | Refinancing federal debt privately may lower the rate but gives up federal protections. |
There is no single “private student-loan rate” that can be compared fairly with every federal borrower’s rate. Compare written offers using the annual percentage rate (APR), whether the rate is fixed or variable, fees, payment schedule, cosigner terms, and the consequences of missed payments.
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Federal student-loan rates for the 2026–27 disbursement year
For Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, and before July 1, 2027, Federal Student Aid lists these fixed rates:
| Loan category | 2026–27 fixed interest rate | Who it generally covers |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans | 6.52% | Eligible undergraduate borrowers |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans | 8.07% | Eligible graduate and professional students |
| Direct PLUS Loans | 9.07% | Eligible parent borrowers and graduate or professional borrowers using PLUS |
These percentages apply only to that first-disbursement window and remain fixed for the life of those loans. A loan disbursed in an earlier year can have a different rate, so do not describe these figures as an unqualified current rate for every federal borrower. The applicable rate is tied to the loan type and first-disbursement date.
Interest accrues daily. Subsidized-loan borrowers are not responsible for interest accrued during specified qualifying in-school periods, but that treatment does not automatically apply to every period or every loan type. Check the rules for the individual loan before assuming interest is covered.
How federal student-loan eligibility works
Start with the FAFSA and your school
Students generally begin by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school must participate in the applicable federal program, and the student generally must be enrolled at least half-time. The school’s aid offer identifies the federal loans for which the student is eligible and the amount that can be accepted.
Eligibility can also depend on the student’s program, academic requirements, citizenship or eligible-status rules, prior borrowing, and the loan year. Federal Student Aid’s eligibility guidance and the school’s financial-aid office control the details for a particular program.
Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are limited to eligible undergraduates who demonstrate qualifying financial need. When the subsidy applies, the federal government covers interest during specified periods, including certain qualifying in-school periods. The benefit is tied to the program’s rules, so it should not be assumed for graduate borrowing or for every deferment.
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Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students without a financial-need showing. Interest generally accrues from the time the loan is disbursed. Paying accruing interest while enrolled or during a grace or deferment period can prevent it from being added to the principal later.
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PLUS loans
PLUS loans have separate borrower, credit-history, and program requirements. They are the major federal exception to the general rule that a Direct Loan does not require credit approval or a cosigner. A parent generally applies for a Parent PLUS Loan, while a graduate or professional student can apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan, subject to the applicable federal rules and school certification.
How private student loans work
Private loans are issued under a lender’s own underwriting model. The lender may review credit history, income, existing debts, enrollment, the school, and the requested amount. An established credit history is often expected, and a cosigner may improve approval odds or pricing, but a cosigner is not mandatory for every product.
Fixed versus variable private rates
A fixed private rate stays the same under the contract. A variable rate can change when its reference index changes, increasing or decreasing the required payment or extending the repayment cost. Ask the lender how often the rate can reset, whether there is a cap, what index and margin are used, and how a rate change affects the monthly payment.
APR, fees, and the total cost
Do not compare only the advertised minimum interest rate. Request a written disclosure showing APR, origination or administrative fees, late fees, autopay discounts, the repayment term, and the total scheduled payments. A lower nominal rate can cost more if fees are high, the term is longer, or a variable rate rises.
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Cosigner obligations and release
A cosigner is legally responsible if the student does not pay. Before signing, confirm whether the lender offers cosigner release, the number of on-time payments required, income or credit conditions, and whether a new application is needed. Release is not automatic merely because the borrower has graduated.
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When repayment starts and what happens in school
For federal Direct Loans, repayment generally starts after the borrower leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment, subject to the particular loan’s grace, deferment, and repayment rules. The exact start date appears in the servicer’s notices. Interest can accrue before payments are due, especially on unsubsidized loans and PLUS loans.
Private contracts differ. One lender may require a small fixed payment while the student is enrolled; another may allow full deferment until after school. Deferment can be subject to annual limits, proof of enrollment, or a post-graduation transition period. Read the promissory note rather than relying on a general statement about private loans.
Repayment flexibility, forgiveness, and discharge
Federal repayment options
Federal borrowers may qualify for standardized repayment plans and, when eligible under current rules, income-related plans that adjust payments using income and family information. Approved deferment or forbearance can temporarily pause or reduce payments in qualifying circumstances. Interest treatment and capitalization depend on the plan and event.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFederal programs can also provide forgiveness or discharge for specific situations and borrower groups. Eligibility is not automatic: the borrower must meet the program’s employment, payment, disability, school-closure, borrower-defense, or other requirements that apply at the time.
Private relief is contract-specific
Private lenders may offer temporary forbearance, reduced-payment arrangements, death or disability provisions, or other assistance, but there is no uniform private equivalent to the federal system. The contract may limit the number of months, charge interest during a pause, or require a new application. Many private loans have no federal forgiveness or discharge pathway.
Why the distinction matters during financial trouble
A borrower who loses income, returns to school, becomes disabled, or enters qualifying public service may have federal options that a private contract does not provide. The value of those options is part of the loan’s cost. Comparing only the interest rate can overlook the risk of losing a payment plan or discharge right when it is most needed.
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Should you take out private student loans after federal loans?
A private loan can be reasonable for a documented remaining education gap, but use a funding sequence that limits the amount borrowed:
- Confirm the school’s total cost. Use the official cost of attendance and subtract grants, scholarships, tuition assistance, savings you can safely use, and other confirmed resources.
- Review the entire federal aid offer. Check Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized eligibility, the amount, the interest rate for the disbursement year, and the expected repayment amount.
- Consider work-study and payment alternatives. A manageable work-study award or payment plan may reduce the amount that must be financed.
- Borrow only the remaining gap. Do not accept the maximum offered simply because it is available. Include required fees, books, transportation, and a modest emergency margin, but avoid borrowing for discretionary spending.
- Collect multiple private offers, if needed. Compare the same loan amount and term across lenders. Record APR, fixed or variable status, fees, in-school payments, deferment, cosigner rules, late-payment treatment, and the total scheduled cost.
- Stress-test the payment. Calculate the payment at the lender’s highest permitted variable rate, not only the initial quote. Check whether the payment fits a conservative entry-level income for the intended field.
- Read the final contract. Verify the amount certified by the school, disbursement dates, cancellation window, autopay conditions, and what happens after graduation or a leave of absence.
If the gap can be reduced by changing housing, course load, or timing without harming completion, compare that option with adding private debt. A smaller loan balance lowers both required payments and the risk created by a lender-specific contract.
How to compare two written private offers
| Check | Question to ask | Why it changes the decision |
|---|---|---|
| Rate type | Is the rate fixed or variable? If variable, what index, margin, reset frequency, and maximum apply? | A variable offer can become more expensive after rates rise. |
| APR | What APR includes interest and mandatory fees for this borrower and term? | APR gives a fuller cost measure than a headline rate. |
| Fees | Are there origination, disbursement, late, returned-payment, or prepayment fees? | Fees can outweigh a small rate advantage. |
| Repayment term | How many months are payments scheduled, and can the term be changed? | A longer term usually lowers the payment but increases total interest. |
| In-school treatment | Are payments required while enrolled, and does interest accrue during deferment? | Early payments affect cash flow; unpaid interest can increase the balance. |
| Relief options | How many months of forbearance or deferment are available, and what documentation is required? | Relief may be limited precisely when income is disrupted. |
| Cosigner terms | Is a cosigner required, and when can release be requested? | The cosigner’s credit and finances remain exposed until release or payoff. |
| Death or disability | What happens to the balance if the borrower dies or becomes permanently disabled? | Policies vary materially among private contracts. |
New borrowing is not the same as refinancing
Choosing a loan for a future school bill
For new borrowing, compare the federal amount in the school’s aid offer with the remaining cost. Federal eligibility is determined before a private lender is considered. The decision is whether a private loan is worth the additional cost and reduced flexibility for the specific gap.
Refinancing existing federal debt
Refinancing replaces one or more federal loans with a new private loan. The new lender may offer a lower rate or a different term, but the old federal loans are paid off and their federal status ends. A private refinance can therefore eliminate access to federal income-related repayment, approved federal deferment or forbearance, and federal forgiveness or discharge programs.
Before refinancing, make a written inventory of the federal benefits you could use now or later. Compare the private contract’s rate, term, variable-rate risk, payment relief, disability and death provisions, and total cost against the value of keeping the federal loans. A lower monthly payment may result from extending the term rather than from a lower overall cost.
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- Is the new rate fixed for the entire term or subject to adjustment?
- Would you qualify for an income-related federal payment if your income falls?
- Could you need a federal forgiveness or discharge program because of your occupation, health, or school history?
- Does the private contract provide comparable deferment, forbearance, disability, and death protections?
- Does the lower payment come from a longer term that increases total interest?
- Can you afford the new payment without relying on a temporary promotional rate?
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Treating a private advertised minimum as a normal rate
A lender’s lowest advertised rate may apply only to a highly qualified borrower, a particular term, autopay enrollment, or a variable-rate product. Use the personalized written offer and compare APR and fees.
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Assuming every federal loan is subsidized
Subsidized treatment is limited. Unsubsidized and PLUS balances can accrue interest while the student is enrolled. Identify each loan type before estimating the balance at graduation.
Assuming a cosigner is always required or never required
Federal Direct Loans generally do not require a cosigner, while PLUS loans have separate credit-history rules. Private lenders set their own requirements. Ask whether the application can be approved without a cosigner and what rate difference a cosigner would create.
Ignoring first-disbursement year
Federal rates reset by statutory formula for new disbursement periods. The 6.52%, 8.07%, and 9.07% figures apply to July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 first disbursements, not to loans from every year.
Choosing a payment pause without checking interest
Deferment or forbearance can prevent delinquency, but interest may continue to accrue. Ask whether unpaid interest will capitalize and what the balance will be when payments resume.
Refinancing before valuing federal protections
Once federal loans are replaced by a private refinance, returning to the federal program is generally not an option through the refinance lender. Treat the lost protections as an irreversible trade-off, not a minor administrative change.
A practical decision framework
| If your situation is… | Usually start with… | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| You are an undergraduate with financial need and a federal offer | Direct Subsidized Loan, after grants and scholarships | Borrow only the amount needed and understand when unsubsidized borrowing would begin. |
| You are an undergraduate without subsidized eligibility | Direct Unsubsidized Loan and non-loan aid | Compare the fixed federal cost with the exact private offer before adding private debt. |
| You are a graduate or professional student | Direct Unsubsidized eligibility, then other aid | Compare the 8.07% 2026–27 federal rate with any private offer while accounting for federal repayment options. |
| You are a parent or graduate borrower considering PLUS | Check PLUS eligibility and cost | Compare the 9.07% 2026–27 fixed PLUS rate and federal terms with a private offer; do not assume private is cheaper. |
| You still have a verified gap after federal aid | A limited private loan | Match the amount to the gap, compare contracts, and test payment and variable-rate risk. |
| You already have federal loans and want a lower rate | A refinance analysis, not a new-borrowing comparison | Price the lost federal protections before signing a private refinance. |
What to keep on file
- Your FAFSA submission confirmation and the school’s final aid offer.
- The federal loan type, amount, first-disbursement date, and rate for each accepted loan.
- Every private lender’s personalized disclosure, including APR, fees, term, and variable-rate assumptions.
- The promissory note and policies for deferment, forbearance, cosigner release, death, and disability.
- A payment estimate under both the expected rate and a higher-rate stress scenario.
Keeping these documents together makes it easier to correct a disbursement error, compare a revised offer, or make an informed decision about repayment or refinancing later.
Bottom line
Federal student loans are usually the better first borrowing option because their fixed, program-based terms come with standardized repayment flexibility and possible forgiveness or discharge. For the 2026–27 first-disbursement year, the quoted Direct Loan rates are 6.52% for eligible undergraduates, 8.07% for graduate and professional Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and 9.07% for Direct PLUS Loans. Private loans can fill a genuine remaining gap, but their fixed or variable rates, fees, eligibility, cosigner rules, and relief provisions must be evaluated from the written contract. Refinancing federal debt privately is a separate decision: any rate reduction must be weighed against the federal benefits that would end.
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