If you apply for financial aid, you may be offered loans as part of your school’s financial aid offer. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest.
If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms and conditions of the loan. Student loans can come from the federal government, from private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or from other organizations. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually have more benefits than loans from banks or other private sources.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers Direct Loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. There are three types of Direct Loans that can help students and parents pay for education after high school.
