Loan Comparison Quick Reference

Use our loan comparison chart as a quick, convenient reference guide to the features, terms and repayment details for Stafford, PLUS, Perkins and alternative loans.

Loan Comparison Chart
Stafford Subsidized Loan	Stafford Unsubsidized Loan	Parent PLUS Loan	Graduate/ Professional PLUS Loan	Alternative Loan	Perkins Loan
No credit check	No credit check	Must be credit worthy	Must be credit worthy	Must be credit worthy	No credit check
Only student loan borrower responsible for repayment, no cosigner needed.	Only student loan borrower responsible for repayment, no cosigner needed.	Only parent borrower responsible for repayment, no student responsibility.	Student loan borrower responsible; no cosigner required.	Student loan borrower responsible, if credit worthy, no cosigner needed. If cosigner needed, equal shared responsibility for repayment and debt.	Student loan borrower is responsible for repayment, no cosigner needed.
Loan Limits	Loan Limits	Loan Limits	Loan Limits	Varies by Lender	Loan Limits
Death/Disability benefit	Death/Disability benefit	Death/Disability benefit	Death/Disability benefit	No Death/Disability Benefit. If borrower should die or become totally and permanently disabled, the borrower and cosigner are still responsible for debt.	Death/Disability benefit
Deferment / Forbearance eligibility	Deferment / Forbearance eligibility	Deferment / Forbearance eligibility	Deferment / Forbearance eligibility	Possible Deferment / Forbearance eligibility	Deferment / Forbearance eligibility
Federally guaranteed	Federally guaranteed	Federally guaranteed	Federally guaranteed	Not Federally guaranteed	Federally guaranteed
Can be consolidated with other federal guaranteed loans through federal guarantee agency	Can be consolidated with other federal guaranteed loans through federal guarantee agency	Can be consolidated with other federal guaranteed loans through federal guarantee agency	Can be consolidated with other federal guaranteed loans through federal guarantee agency	Cannot be consolidated with other federal guaranteed loans through federal guarantee agency	Can be consolidated with other federal guaranteed loans through federal guarantee agency
Interest is not charged to your loan until 6 months from the time you leave school or drop below half time in school status (6 credits), or during periods of deferment.	Interest is charged to your loan from the time the loan is disbursed to the school. You can make payments or capitalize (defer) interest until leaving school.	Interest is charged to your loan from the time the loan is disbursed to the school.	Interest is charged to your loan from the time the loan is disbursed to the school.	Interest is charged to your loan from the time the loan is disbursed to you.	Interest is not charged to your loan until 9 months from the time you leave school or drop below half time in school status (6 credits).
To apply, click on the "Complete the e-MPN" link below.	To apply, click on the "Complete the e-MPN" link below.	To apply, click on the "Complete the e-MPN" link below.	To apply, click on the "Complete the e-MPN" link below.	Contact a lender for an application.	Contact the college financial aid office.