The Federal Parent PLUS Loan, private student loans, and private parent loans.
Many families are considering financing their student’s education with either a Federal Parent PLUS Loan or a private education loan. This comparison chart will help you understand the features and benefits of each. Interest rates and fees for private loans vary between lenders and are typically based on the credit of the individual borrower and cosigner. We recommend that you apply for one or more private loans and compare your options before deciding which type is best for you. Remember, applying for a private loan doesn’t obligate you to accept it.
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Federal Parent PLUS Loan1 |
School-Certified Private Student Loan2 |
Private Parent Loan2 |
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Primary borrower |
Parent |
Student |
Parent or other eligible non-student individual: however, dependent on various factors that will be considered. |
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Credit check |
Yes, a parent with an adverse credit history may obtain an endorser or meet additional requirements to qualify. |
Yes, loan approval and pricing are generally based on creditworthiness. Lenders may also consider other factors.
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Yes, loan approval and pricing are generally based on creditworthiness. Lenders may also consider other factors. |
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Cosigner requirement |
No, but a parent with adverse credit history may obtain an endorser. |
No, but a student with little or no credit history may have a better chance of getting a loan by applying with a creditworthy cosigner. |
No, but if the primary borrower is not eligible on their own, some lenders may offer a cosigner option. |
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Cosigner release option |
This loan does not require a cosigner. |
Many lenders provide a cosigner release option where the student can apply to release the cosigner after they graduate, make a specified number of on-time payments, and meet underwriting requirements. |
Varies by lender; check for availability. |
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Interest rate |
For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2020 and before July 1, 2021, the interest rate is 5.30%. |
Many lenders offer both variable and fixed interest rates. Interest rates for undergraduate students start from 1.74% to 12.66% for variable and range from 4.74% to 12.88% for fixed. Although lenders may consider multiple factors, rates are generally based on the borrower’s and cosigner’s creditworthiness, so those with good credit may qualify for a lower rate. |
Most lenders offer fixed interest rates ranging from 5.75% to 14.24%. Some lenders may also offer variable rates, which start from 3.59% to 13.99%. Rates are generally based on the applicant’s creditworthiness; other factors such as income and repayment term may also be considered. |
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Origination/ disbursement fees |
4.236% for loans first disbursed 10/1/19 through 9/30/20. 4.228% for loans first disbursed 10/1/20 through 9/30/21. |
Varies by lender, most offer 0%. |
Varies by lender, most offer 0% |
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Minimum payment amount while the student is enrolled in school |
Loans will automatically be placed in principal and interest repayment. The borrower can apply to have the PLUS loan payments deferred while the student is in school and for six months after graduation, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment (interest continues to accrue during this time and unpaid interest is added to the loan’s principal amount when the deferment period ends). |
Varies by lender; many lenders allow private loan payments to be deferred while in school (interest accrues during this time and unpaid interest is added to the loan’s principal amount when the deferment period ends). Many lenders offer options to make interest payments during the in-school period. |
Varies by lender; some lenders offer interest payments while in school or immediate principal and interest payments. |
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Repayment term |
10 – 25 years of principal and interest payments |
Varies by lender; typically terms of 5–15 years of principal and interest payments are offered. |
Varies by lender; typically terms of 5–15 years of principal and interest payments are offered. |
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Payment flexibility |
PLUS loans are eligible for multiple repayment plans including standard, graduated, and extended repayment options, federal consolidation, and some public service loan forgiveness options. See studentaid.ed.gov for more information. |
Most lenders will work directly with the borrower to assess repayment options. Some lenders offer graduated repayment options. |
Most lenders will work directly with the borrower to assess repayment options. |
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Responsibility to pay |
Parent and endorser (if applicable) |
Student and cosigner (if applicable) |
Parent or other creditworthy adult |
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Loan limits |
Up to 100% of the school-certified expenses, minus other financial aid received |
Generally, up to 100% of the school-certified expenses, minus other financial aid received; lenders can have different loan limits for different loan programs and may base the limits on various factors. |
Varies by lender, may or may not require school-certification. Some lenders may have minimum and maximum loan amounts and may base the limits on various factors. |
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Minimum enrollment status |
At least half-time. |
Varies by lender; some offer loans to borrowers who are attending school less than half-time |
Varies by lender; some offer loans to borrowers who have students who are attending school less than half-time. |
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Application process |
Online with the Department of Education through the FAFSA process but some schools have different application processes. |
Online with lender or other potential application options, e.g., applying over the phone. |
Online with lender or other potential application options, e.g., applying over the phone.
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Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) required |
Yes. |
No, families are not required to complete the FAFSA unless it is the policy of the school. |
No, families are not required to complete the FAFSA unless it is the policy of the school. |
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Borrower benefits |
0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction for automatic debit enrollment. |
Most lenders offer a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction for automatic debit enrollment. Additional benefits vary by lender. |
Most lenders offer a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction for automatic debit enrollment. Additional benefits vary by lender. |
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Death and disability loan forgiveness |
Yes, if the parent dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled or if the student beneficiary dies and certain conditions are met, then the loan will be discharged. |
Varies by lender; some lenders waive the remaining balance in the event of the primary borrower’s death or permanent and total disability. |
Varies by lender; some lenders waive the remaining balance in the event of the student’s death or permanent and total disability. |
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Ability to consolidate through the Department of Education |
Yes, parents can consolidate with other federal loans in their name (not the student’s). |
No. |
No. |
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Options for denied loans |
If the parent is unable to obtain the loan, the student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans. |
Student can apply with a different cosigner if the cosigner is denied. |
Varies by lender; parent or other creditworthy individual may be able to obtain a cosigner. |
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Tax deduction for interest paid3 |
The interest paid on the loan may be deductible subject to IRS guidelines. |
The interest paid on the loan may be deductible subject to IRS guidelines. |
The interest paid on the loan may be deductible subject to IRS guidelines. |
To access additional financial education resources for students, please visit our Financial Education Center.
Disclosures:
Borrow responsibly
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.
1 Federal student loan rate and fee information is based on a June 23, 2020 Electronic Announcement from Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education. Other federal student loan information was gathered on May 18, 2020 from studentaid.ed.gov. Check this website for the most up-to-date information about federal loan products. Rates, fees and availability of federal loan products are subject to change by the Federal Government.
2 Private loan information is based on a May 18, 2020 review of national private loan programs offered by publicly-traded companies or subsidiaries thereof. Private loans that have variable rates may go up or down based on the changes of an underlying interest rate index.
3 This information is not meant to provide tax advice. For more information, see IRS Publication 970.
Explore federal loans and compare to ensure you understand the terms and features. Private loans that have variable rates can go up over the life of the loan. Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, Graduated Repayment and Extended Repayment plans, and loan forgiveness and deferment benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide. Federal loans generally have origination fees, but are available to students regardless of income. This information valid as of 7/8/2020. All loans are subject to credit approval and other conditions. Other terms, conditions, fees and restrictions may apply. Unless otherwise specified, all advertised offers and terms and conditions of accounts and services are subject to change at any time without notice. After an account is opened or service begins, it is subject to its features, conditions, and terms, which are subject to change at any time in accordance with applicable laws and agreements. Please contact an M&T representative for full details.
