Well since there are 2 different kinds of Federal Graduate Stafford loans (one based on financial need and one thats not), it all depends. You are first going to want to file for FAFSA and then next seek advisement from your colleges financial aid department. This will give you the most accurate information for your personal situation.

A little about Federal Graduate Stafford loans:
Federal Graduate Stafford loans are fixed-rate student loans for graduate students attending a college / university at least half (part) time. Stafford loans are the most common and low cost way to fund a college education. Federal Graduate Stafford loans come in 2 different types, the subsidized Stafford Loan and the unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

Subsidized Federal Graduate Stafford loans are based on financial need. You will not be charged interest before you begin repayment or during periods of deferment. The US federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these times.

Unsubsidized Federal Graduate Stafford loans are not based on financial needs. Any eligible graduate student can take out unsubsidized Federal Graduate Stafford loans. You will however be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed, to the time the loan is repaid in full.

If you are a Graduate Student, you should also consider the Grad PLUS Student Loan, which is another low fixed rate federal student loan.

Tags: applying for student loans / FAFSA / federal student loans / grad school loans / student loans

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