Direct student loans, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, are a cornerstone of federal financial aid, offering students a way to fund their education without the need for private lenders.

Before taking out a federal student loan, borrowers should first research the four different types.

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ...

A new law will mean lower federal loan limits for some students and parents who help pay. Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect on July 1, 2026, and could impact your ability to pay ...

Federal student loan borrowing limits exist to protect you from yourself and ensure you don't over-extend yourself when paying for higher education. If you need to borrow money to pay for college, ...

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office confirms that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is set to reduce the amount of ...

Subsidized and unsubsidized federal student loans differ based on who pays interest while you’re in school, and come with different limits Written By Written by Staff Loans Writer, Buy Side Emily ...