Interest is subsidized by the federal government while the student is enrolled at least half time.
The loan term can be either one or two semesters in length. If your loan is for two-semesters, one half of the total loan amount will be disbursed before the beginning of each semester. Continuing students in the program must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements to be eligible for federal Stafford loans. The unsubsidized Stafford loan is similar to the subsidized Stafford loan, except the interest for the unsubsidized Stafford loan is not paid by the federal government. Borrowers may make quarterly payments or may have the interest capitalized.