Types of Student Loans.

Understand every type of student loan — in plain English.

Federal vs. private, subsidized vs. unsubsidized, PLUS loans, consolidation, and refinancing — what each one is, who it's for, and how it works. Accurate, neutral, and sourced to studentaid.gov and the CFPB.

🎓 Plain-English explanationsSourced to studentaid.gov & CFPBNeutral & non-predatoryFree options comparison

Paying for college means navigating a maze of loan options. This guide breaks down the main types of student loans — federal and private — and how each works, so you can make an informed decision. We keep it accurate and neutral, and we point you to the official sources for the current numbers.

Common student loan types

Federal Direct Subsidized LoansNeed-based federal loans for undergraduates where the government pays …Federal Direct Unsubsidized LoansFederal loans for undergrad and graduate students that don't require f…Parent PLUS Loans (Direct PLUS for Parents)Federal Direct PLUS loans that parents of dependent undergraduates can…Grad PLUS Loans (Direct PLUS for Graduate Students)Federal Direct PLUS loans that graduate and professional students can …Private Student LoansLoans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders — credit-based, wi…Loan Consolidation (Federal vs. Private)Combining multiple loans into one — a federal Direct Consolidation Loa…Student Loan RefinancingA private lender pays off existing loans and issues one new private lo…Income-Driven Repayment (Repayment Context)Federal repayment plans that base your monthly payment on income and f…

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Federal vs. Private Student LoansSubsidized vs. Unsubsidized LoansConsolidation vs. Refinancing

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