The Subsidized loan is a need based award for which the federal government pays the interest while the student is in school and in authorized deferment and grace periods. The student is responsible for interest during these periods for the Unsubsidized Stafford loan. Independent students and students whose parents have applied for and been denied a PLUS loan have an additional Unsubsidized Stafford eligibility. All graduate students are considered to be independent. The subsidized Stafford is a need based award.
Individual eligibility varies.
Your eligibilty is on your award letter from our office. If you are not eligible for the subsidized Stafford, you will receive that same amount in unsubsidized Stafford. Independent students and students whose parents have applied for and been denied a PLUS loan have an additional unsubsidized Stafford eligibility. All graduate students are considered to be independent. The PLUS loan for parents and the Perkins loan for students.