As a graduate student, you have the option to take out federal direct unsubsidized loans, graduate PLUS loans or private student loans. Federal direct unsubsidized loans generally have both the lowest interest rates and the most flexible repayment options.

New borrowers aren’t eligible for Grad Plus loans starting in July.

New limits on federal graduate student loans may make it more likely that students will need private loans to bridge the gap. The popular Grad PLUS program is also shutting down on July 1, 2026. To afford graduate school, some students may need to become ...

Graduate and professional school students are about to experience an unprecedented funding gap. Thanks to One Big Beautiful Bill’s elimination of the Grad PLUS loan program – which allowed borrowing up to the cost of attendance – and corresponding ...