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Graduate School Loans > Overview

Graduate School Loans

Find the right loan for graduate school

Your Graduate School Loan Options

The cost of higher education shouldn't stand in the way of your success. We're here to help.

Take control of graduate school expenses

You can get up to 100% of the money you need for graduate school, including tuition, housing, books and more
All loan amounts are school certified, so you won't borrow too much
Funds go directly to the school, so your tuition bills get paid automatically (and you can still use remaining funds to pay for housing, books and more)

Choose from these loans

Federal Stafford Loans with a fixed interest rate of 6.8%
Federal PLUS Loans with a fixed interest rate of 8.5%
Certified Private Loans with zero origination fees and a 2% Graduation Reward

Compare your options and apply today

Choose the combination of loans that's right for you
Apply online in just a few minutes
Reach a live person 7 days a week if you have any questions

Graduate School Loans at a Glance

Many students take more than one loan per single year of school. If a Federal Stafford Loan isn't enough to cover your full cost of attending schoolAnnual cost of attending a specific school, including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. This amount is determined by your school., a Federal Grad PLUS Loan can bridge the gap. We recommend a Federal Grad PLUS Loan before applying for a Certified Private Loan.

	Federal Stafford Loans	Federal Grad PLUS Loans	Certified Private Loans

Borrower	Student	Student	Student (may require a Cosigner)
Annual Loan Limit Loan amounts are certified and disbursed through your school	Up to $20,500 (certain programs for health professions may qualify for higher loan limits, see your financial aid office for exact amounts)	Up to 100% of your cost of attendanceAnnual cost of attending a specific school, including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. This amount is determined by your school. minus other aid	Up to 100% of your cost of attendanceAnnual cost of attending a specific school, including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. This amount is determined by your school. minus other aid
Fees	0.5% federal origination fee 1% federal default feefor Federal Stafford Loans and Federal PLUS Loans – waived if paid by guarantor	3% federal origination fee 1% federal default feefor Federal Stafford Loans and Federal PLUS Loans – waived if paid by guarantor	Zero origination fees
Interest Rate	6.8% fixed (subsidized loans) 6.8% fixed (unsubsidized loans)	8.5% fixed	Variable based on credit evaluation, from Prime Index plus 1.00% to Prime Index plus 7.75% (see Prime Index & APR)
0.25% Auto Debit Reward	Yes	Yes	Yes
2% Graduation Reward	Not applicable	Not applicable	Yes
Payment Deferment while in School	No payments due until 6 months after graduation or enrollment in school less than half-time	No payments due until 6 months after graduation or enrollment in school less than half-time	No payments due until 9 months after graduation or enrollment in school less than half-time
Repayment Term	10 to 25 years	10 to 25 years	20 years
Availability	Available at all schools that participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Eligible schools will display Federal Stafford Loan as an option in the first step of our online application	Available at all schools that participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). Eligible schools will display Federal Grad PLUS Loan as an option in the first step of our online application	Available at many schools with graduate degree programs Eligible schools will display Certified Private Loan as an option in the first step of our online application
FAFSA Required?	Yes	Yes	No
Credit Check Required?	No	Yes	Yes
Cosigner Required?	No	No	Depends on credit

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